Movement Psychotherapy (also called Dance Movement Psychotherapy) recognises that children and young people use their bodies and physicality as a natural form of communication and expression. The therapist provides a safe, child led, creative, non-verbal medium through which children and young people feel able to safely express, explore and share their experiences, thoughts and feelings within a safe, predictable therapeutic relationship.
It is a creative psychotherapeutic intervention that supports children and young people to explore their feelings, work through emotional conflicts, develop and improve self awareness, manage behaviour, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Movement Psychotherapists take into account the child or young person’s experiences in the context of the social system they live in, how they experience living in their body, their relationship to their body, how they think about themselves and their relationships, as well as emotional responses that may be hard to put into words.
Movement Psychotherapy is about building a sense of safety in, and relationship with, the body. The therapist takes the child’s lead on which creative tools they want to use and, when appropriate, will gently bring attention to the body and their experience. Harriet will support children to explore movement in imaginative ways, and children and young people don’t need to be good at dance or sport or be able to move in particular ways.
Depending on what the child or young person is drawn to, sessions may include:
- Movement improvisation
- Body mapping
- Sensory work
- Imaginative Play
- Art making
- Story making and telling
- Roleplay
- Game playing
Movement Psychotherapy can benefit children and young people of all ages and abilities, and is appropriate for people experiencing a wide range of physical and difficulties.
Movement Psychotherapy can help with:
- Emotional distress or conflict
- Problems with communication or information processing
- Difficulties with body image
- Physical discomfort or movement restrictions
- Trauma or loss
- Transition or change
- Relationship difficulties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disordered Eating
- Bereavement
- Post-traumatic stress
- Abuse history
- Learning disabilities
- Sensory difficulties
- Physical disabilities
- Emotional/behavioural difficulties
- Autism
Movement Psychotherapy can also support personal development by enhancing personal communication skills, self-exploration, and self-understanding.