Dance Movement Therapy in Occupational Therapy Literature

In searching specific Occupational Therapy Literature I found examples of Occupational Therapists working alongside Dance Therapists. Dance movement therapy within a medical/ health care system is traditionally used as an arts therapy within mental health settings. Dance Therapy emerged in the 1940/50's and is defined as "psychotheraputic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional and physical integration of the individual" (Stanton, 1991, p. 108). Dance is considered to be a medium in which emotions can be expressed without the need for verbalisation. This insight into emotions can further a therapists understanding of the clients personality, developmental level and emotional responses to different stimuli. Stanton (1991) suggests that Occupational Therapists can play a co-leading role in dance therapy sessions to get a thorough insight into their clients. Dance movement therapy works under the belief that "the mind and body are inseparable" (Levy, 1998, p.1) and that "body movement reflects inner emotional states and that changes in movement behaviour can lead to changes in the psyche, thus promoting health and growth" (Levy, 1998, p. 1). A good example of dance therapy in action was the use of Dance and Occupational Therapy sessions with New York firefighters post 9/11. The Dance and Occupational Therapist faced similar challenges with getting the firefighters to engage in therapy and they were able to work together to achieve their goals of therapy (Cordero, 2006). The goals of Mixed ability dance are based around integration of the disability sector and do not address mental health issues. However the use of similar generic dance techniques are used in Mixed Ability Dance.

References:
Cordero, J., Zimbelmann, C. (2006). Counselling firefighters post 9/11 an occupational and dance movement therapists interventions and experiences. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 21 (3/4) 29-53.
Levy, F. J. (1998). Dance movement therapy: A healing art. USA: American Alliance for Health, physical education, recreation, and dance.
Stanton, K. (1991). Dance movement therapy: An introduction. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54 (3), 108-10.