Essay On Dance Movement Therapy

Dance Movement Therapy
Lately in the psychology field, Dance Movement Therapy has become a popular choice of therapy over the last few years. Even though to work as a dance therapist I would have to look for that job in many popular urban areas and deal with many traumatic events. Dance Movement Therapy is a career that is best for me because I’m a passionate dancer and a very spiritual person as well and I love to help people and to dance. A Dance Movement Therapist has many responsibilities, duties, characteristic, and requirements that they must fulfill in their work force in order to be successful in their skill. Although it requires a lot Dance Movement Therapy fits my personality and character simply because, I feel it’s my purpose

to help people transpire into their higher selves through movement.
Apart of being a Dance Movement Therapist you must fulfill your many responsibilities and duties. Dance therapist help their patients in a unique way than other therapist can, instead of using words and other sources of therapy they use dance. When I interviewed Valerie Windborne- Anderson she stated that, “My responsibility as a dance therapist is to reach to people in away that no one else could have and to help heal them in a spiritual way” (Valerie Windborne). After talking to her I felt even more inspired to become a Dance Movement Therapist because of that statement she shared with me. I became more open minded about my career choice and really said to my self “I’m going to stick with this I can really be an influence on people’s and their lives”. I like all the responsibilities of a dance therapist because I know that I am more than capable of living up to them and accomplish all of my duties required of me.
Furthermore, to be a Dance Movement Therapist you should have some qualities that are not necessarily learned.

In order to be happy and successful in this occupation you should be comfortable without being emotionally attached with your clients that you care for. Stated in the article “Becoming a Dance Therapist” John Albers stated that “The therapist should be capable of caring and sympathizing with other people's problems without becoming emotionally attached. Being able to deal with people who are physically or mentally ill on a daily basis without becoming stressed or bothered is a must” (Albers 1). This basically implies that some times the situations you care for as a dance therapist can sometimes become very intense and that you must be aware of your emotions so that you will not become emotionally attached. I think the most important characteristics of a dance therapist that they should be passionate about working with people of all ages, and should of course love to dance. I believe that this career fit my personality because I am a people person and I excellent with giving advice and trying to help people with issues they may have with in them selves. The personal values that make this career choice best for me is that the influence I would have on my clients and to me that’s the most important for

me.
In addition, becoming a Dance Movement Therapist requires much education. It is required as a dance therapist that you take dance courses and have a strong dance background. According to “Job Description for a Dance Therapist” Tamara Warta stated, “If you are interested in becoming certified as a dance therapist, look up your state's requirements by visiting a website such as the American Dance Therapy Association. Most dance therapists have their master's degree at the very least, as well as a personality well-suited for creative exploration and the ability to work with a diverse array of individuals” (Warta 1). Also John Albers quoted that, “Becoming a dance therapist requires a great deal of college education. A good start would be a bachelor's degree in performance art or liberal arts. Minoring in psychology is very important, as the dance therapist must know the basics of the problems that their clients are dealing with. Then therapist must take a final exam hosted by the American Dance Therapy Association and join them as a full member. The association provides resources in finding mental health centers and treatment facilities where a dance therapist can work” (Albers 2). While going through the educational parts of the Dance Movement Therapy career I just prove that it is going to take a great amount of time before I can become a certified Dance Movement Therapist. One possible collage that I would be interested study at would be Virginia Common Wealth University (VCU). I am interested in this collage because it is an arts school and it offers a special course for Dance Movement Therapy.
However the work setting of a dance therapist is different from a regular therapist. Dance therapist work in an open space where it is comfortable for their clients. The open space allows the clients to move freely and feel relaxed. Valerie Windborne described the work setting as an “Openly free space in a positive environment and no negativity should fill the room. The room should be filled with love and compassion to allow the treatment to work in its full effect” (Valerie Windborne). This basically stated that when working within in your work environment as a dance therapist you should make is as comfortable as possible for the clients you care for. While working you have the choice of traveling to your clients’ homes or any other place of your or their choice. At times this job can become stressful because of the traumatic issues you have to deal with. Even becoming too emotional or sympathetic could become very stressful. In my opinion it is all worth it because you are bettering someone else life and helping them overcome their problems within them selves. During the process of becoming a dance therapist you should have at least about a minimum 700 hours of clinical training.
The wages and benefits for dance therapist are very reasonable for me. They make a good amount a year and its good enough to care for your self. In the book I read “Dance Therapy” the author stated that “A dance therapist can earn an average of $40,000 per year (as of 2009) and can receive upwards of $55,000 depending upon the location and demand for the services. Currently, therapists working in urban environments such as New York City earn the most, while more rural areas of the United States where there is not much of a demand for this specialized therapy equals out to lower salaries” (“Dance Therapy” 19). To me this was more than enough just to provide myself as a dance movement therapist since plan to live on my own and really focus on my career choice. This really did meet my expectations of the desire to become a dance therapist.
However the outlook on Dance Movement Therapy is still in debate. Most are saying that in the next few years this occupation is going to become more and more popular. The MHA Health Careers Center stated that “The labor outlook looks quite good for those specializing in this field. As more notoriety and winning results continue to come to the dance therapy industry, these workers will be in higher demand. Already, many in the field are finding themselves busier than ever before, whether it be in research or hands-on treatment” (“Creative Arts Therapist” 1). I was very thrilled when I read this because I will have a greater opportunity of finding work in this career choice.
After doing all this research on Dance Movement Therapy I became more encouraged to actually pursue my dreams in becoming dance therapist. Reading all the books, articles, and interviewing a real life dance therapist really gave me the drive I needed to get back on track and focus on my career choice. Dance Movement Therapy is perfect for me because its fits my personality 100%. Between my love and passion for dance and my desire to help and impact people’s lives, Dance Movement Therapy just seemed to be the best career that I believe is best for me.
In brief, Dance Movement Therapy is a type of therapy that envoles movement, expression, and feeling. However their can be some certain down falls, they are all necessary and important of taking on the job as a dance therapist. Dance Movement Therapy in my opinion is a beautiful way to express yourself and learn the way of others emotional expressions. I plan to continue to work hard so that one day I can become a certified Dance Movement Therapist.