Dance movement psychotherapist
Help people deal with their emotional, psychological and physical issues. Guide them to use dance and movement to express their thoughts and feelings.
About the job
What it's like
You would use dance to help people to deal with emotional, psychological and physical issues. You’d guide them to use dance and physical movement as a way to express their thoughts and feelings.
Dance movement psychotherapy is based on the belief that body movement reflects a person's pattern of thinking and feeling.
You would work with individuals and groups to:
Improve people’s self-esteem, self awareness and perception of body image
Improve their communication skills
Deepen their insight into their patterns of behaviour
Create coping strategies and find new ways to manage life
You would work with people who have a physical disability or a learning disability, or emotional or behavioural problems.
Your clients could also be experiencing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. They might have problems with an addiction or eating disorder. Some of your clients may come to you for their personal growth.
You would:
Observe and assess the person’s movements
Plan individual or group movement sessions
Find suitable music
Create props for sessions
Create a safe environment to promote communication
Write reports and update client records
You would work closely with other professionals such as psychologists, social workers, teachers and other therapy specialists.
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- mentoring
- time management
- developing a plan
- empathising
- researching
- creative
- verbal communication
- listening
- supporting
- reflecting
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Dance
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Drama
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Human Biology
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PE (Physical education)
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You would need to complete a postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11) in Dance Movement Psychotherapy accredited by the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (ADMP UK).
To enter an accredited Master's you'll need:
A degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in a relevant subject such as dance, performing arts, psychology, sports psychology or nursing.
Two years continuous experience in dance or movement
One year's work experience helping people to overcome physical or mental health problems - this can be paid or voluntary
Once qualified, you would need to register as a member of the ADMP UK.
There are currently no accredited Master's courses in Scotland.
There are Masters level courses at the UK Dance Voice Therapy Centre, Bristol; Goldsmiths University, London; Roehampton University, London; and the University of Derby.
To enter a relevant degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers. Some universities ask for qualifications in one sitting.
Qualifications that show an understanding and experience in dance and psychology.
This could include relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) as well as any course that is accredited by the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (ADMP UK).
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland for some jobs.
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