April 13, 2024
Updated March 30, 2025
15 minute read
Becoming a Dance Therapist: A Comprehensive Career Guide
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) is a unique mental health profession that uses movement and dance to support the intellectual, emotional, physical, and social integration of individuals. It operates on the fundamental premise that the mind and body are inseparable and that movement can be a powerful tool for assessment, intervention, and healing. Unlike performance-focused dance, DMT emphasizes the therapeutic process and the meaning behind movement patterns.
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Find a path to becoming a Dance Therapist. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/j1nrf7/dance
Reading list
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A definitive text on dance anatomy and kinesiology, this book is crucial for understanding the body's mechanics in dance. It is widely used in academic settings and by professionals to improve technique and prevent injuries. The third edition features updated illustrations and online resources.
Offers a unique and challenging perspective on dance, exploring its relationship to time, space, and the body.
Examines how contemporary dance engages with issues of identity, gender, race, and disability. It's highly relevant for understanding current topics and critical perspectives in dance studies.
This reader offers a collection of essential essays in dance scholarship, covering diverse perspectives and methodologies. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding of key theoretical approaches and contemporary issues in dance studies. The third edition includes expanded global and cultural focus.
This collection explores the intersection of dance and cultural studies, examining how dance reflects and shapes social categories, identity, and ideology. It's highly relevant for understanding the cultural context of dance forms.
Offers a rich exploration of African American dance forms, their histories, and cultural significance. It's a crucial resource for understanding the diversity and impact of African American contributions to dance.
A detailed and authoritative account of dance in the 20th century, covering a wide range of styles and artists. is valuable for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the modern and postmodern dance landscape.
Sally Banes was a key voice in dance criticism and scholarship. offers her insights into postmodern dance, a significant period in dance history. It's valuable for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of postmodern work.
A classic study of the relationship between the mind, body, and movement, this book is foundational for understanding somatic approaches to dance and movement education. It's valuable for deepening one's understanding of alignment and neuromuscular coordination.
Explores the role of dance in education, covering topics such as curriculum development, assessment, and teacher training.
Delves into the theoretical and political aspects of contemporary dance practice. It is suitable for graduate students and professionals interested in critical perspectives on current dance making and performance.
Explores the complex relationship between dance, gender, and cultural studies, analyzing how gender is performed and represented in various dance forms. It's important for understanding the social and cultural dimensions of dance.
Personal and passionate account of the power of dance, written by a renowned dance educator and choreographer.
Explores the history and development of somatic practices and their connection to dance and conscious movement. It's valuable for those interested in the mind-body connection and different somatic approaches.
Explores the multifaceted nature of dance as a human activity, encompassing its social, cultural, and artistic dimensions. It offers a broad and accessible introduction to the significance of dance in human life.
Offers an in-depth look at contact improvisation, its history, and its cultural significance in America. It's particularly useful for those interested in improvisational dance forms and their social contexts.
Examines the ephemeral nature of contemporary dance and the concepts of the 'invisible' or 'disappearing' work. It is relevant for those interested in theoretical approaches to contemporary performance practices.
While not solely about dance, this book is crucial for understanding the impact of trauma on the body and the potential for movement and somatic practices in healing. It provides valuable context for dance as a therapeutic modality.
Offers a practical introduction to the fundamentals of choreography, suitable for students beginning to explore dance making. It provides exercises and concepts to build choreographic skills.
A standard reference for classical ballet terminology and technique. While focused on a specific genre, it's essential for understanding the vocabulary and foundational principles of ballet, which influence many other dance forms.
Given the mention of Performance Studies in the course list, this foundational text in the field provides a broad understanding of performance as a cultural phenomenon, which includes dance. It's useful for contextualizing dance within a wider performance landscape.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/j1nrf7/dance
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