Dance and Movement Therapy at Rainbow Muse!

Say hello to the newest addition to our team, Niki Schild!

We are so excited to have Niki onboard! She is completing the Master of Creative Arts Therapy (Dance Movement Therapy) program at the University of Melbourne. She is on student placement with Rainbow Muse until the end of 2022, when she expects to graduate.

What is dance movement therapy?

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a form of creative arts therapy. It draws on processes and principles from dance and other movement modalities, and combines these with psychological and physiological theories to support therapeutic outcomes. Depending on the goals of therapy, these outcomes may be social, emotional, physical, cognitive, cultural or integrative.

What happens in a DMT session?

Going to a DMT session is similar to going to a psychotherapy, counselling or art therapy session, in that the therapist is there to help you work through experiences or issues that are affecting you. DMT has specific methodologies and frameworks for doing this, which emphasise body movement as a means of relating, experiencing and being in the world.

Dancing is not the only thing we do in DMT. In many cases, talking is a very important part of the process. Depending on a client’s therapeutic needs and how they are on the day, a session could look like:

• Sitting on the floor and talking about relevant issues while passing a ball back and forth

• Structured movement games and activities with a sensory/physical/cognitive basis

• Engaging in a dance process to explore an issue or experience, then discussing it

• Working together on practical movement-based strategies to support wellbeing

These are just a few examples.

Do I have to dance?

Short answer: Nope. You will never be required to dance in a DMT session.

DMT is very different from dance classes. It is about the relational and therapeutic process, and this informs how dance or creative movement opportunities are introduced, utilised and extended. It also takes an extremely inclusive and accessible approach to defining dance.

What can DMT help with?

Some examples of specific issues and processes that can be worked with in DMT include

• Coping with stressors and challenges

• Managing mental health and wellbeing

• Identity, self-discovery and confidence

• Sensory and perceptual experience

• Regaining safety in the body after trauma

• Living with disability or chronic illness

• Developmental processes

• Navigating grief and loss

• Recovering from addiction

We are so excited to have Niki on board!

She will mostly be working with existing RMC Clients and families.

To find out more about working with Niki email us on hello@rainbowmuse.com.au

To find out more about Rainbow Muse Clinic visit www.rainbowmuse.com.au