616-559-1054 info@therapycenter.org

Dance-Movement Therapy

 

 

 

 

Did you know that dancing can be a form of therapy? It’s true! In fact, it’s an entire field that’s been growing since the 1940s. The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual. In other words, moving your body helps motivate the mind.

You’ve probably heard that most communication between people is through body language. We use movement every day to express how we feel and what we need. Dance therapy is a way to practice that communication and learn new ways to express ourselves by movin’ and groovin’.

At CTC, we’re lucky to have one of only three Dance/Movement therapists in West Michigan, Sarah Miller.

What we do in Dance/Movement Therapy:

Our dance movement therapist will observe the way your child or loved one moves and interacts. Then, using dance and movement strategies to increase expression and decrease stress, she will help your child or loved one:

  • Use movement as a way to communicate
  • Integrate motor, communication, cognitive, and emotional skills to improve all 4 areas
  • Develop strategies to cope with anger or frustration
  • Develop strategies to self-soothe
  • Develop strategies to regulate big emotions
  • Develop strategies to remain calm and alert
  • Promote health and wellbeing
  • Have fun!

This is about the process of moving and dancing, not about producing a perfect product.

Our Dance-Movement Therapist has experience with the following diagnoses:

  • ADHD
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders
  • Depression
  • Emotional Impairments
  • Intellectual Impairments
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Trauma
    …and many more.

You should call our office for a Dance-Movement Therapy Evaluation if:

  • Your doctor has recommended traditional talk therapies, OT, PT, or Speech.
  • Your child or loved one is interested in movement and this is a good way to engage them.
  • Your child struggles making and keeping friends.
  • Your child seems overwhelmed by little tasks.
  • Your child or loved one struggles to stay calm and focused, has tantrums or meltdowns, shuts down or “checks-out” when overwhelmed.
  • Your child or loved one seems upset when they can’t make themselves understood.
  • Your child or loved one is getting school or community therapy, but you think they need more support.
  • Your child or loved one seems overly sensitive to grooming (hair brushing, nail clipping, etc.), noises (sirens, hand dryers, etc.), or touch (feel of certain types of clothing, etc.).
  • Your gut tells you something isn’t right.

To learn more about Dance Movement Therapy or to schedule an appointment, email operations@therapycenter.org or give us a call at 616-559-1054

Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?

We accept many insurances, including:

  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Care Network
  • Cigna
  • Cofinity
  • Molina
  • Meridian
  • United Health Care
  • United Health Care- Community Plan
  • Medicaid
  • Priority Health

If your insurance is not on here, reach out to us anyway. We can check with our insurance folks to see if we can add them to our list!

What if my insurance doesn't cover it?

All service fees are adjusted on a sliding scale, based on income. For programs like Therapy and Fun, we offer payment plans (not based on credit) over 6-9 months.

What documents do you need to get started?

We usually need the following items before we can schedule you:

  • a copy of your insurance card
  • a doctor’s referral (fax to 616-559-1056)
  • a copy of your child’s IEP, if applicable 
How long does it take to get an appointment?

We can usually see new clients within two weeks. The longest part of the process is usually waiting to hear back from insurance.