Dance therapy: When movements help healing

What is dance therapy?

Body, emotions and movement: the principle

Dance therapy (also called dance-movement therapy) is a psycho-corporal approach that uses movement as a therapeutic tool. There's no question of performances or beautiful choreographies. The aim is to explore emotions, release tension, and regain inner balance.

It is based on a simple principle: the body and mind are inseparable. What you feel emotionally is reflected in your movements. And conversely, movement can transform your inner state. It is a recognized form of art therapy, practiced by professionals specifically trained in this discipline.

Dance therapy vs classical dance classes

The difference is fundamental. In a traditional dance class, you learn steps, you work on technique, you aim to progress. Dance therapy doesn't ask for any of that. No level is required, no style is imposed.

What matters here is the feeling and free expression. The dance therapist guides the participants, but improvisation and intuition take precedence over performance. It's an inner exploration, not choreographic learning.

A Brief History of Dance Therapy

From ancient rituals to Marion Chace

Dance as a tool for healing is much older than we imagine. In Greek, Egyptian, and Indian societies, ritual dances were used to restore balance between body and spirit. People danced to heal, to appease spirits, to reconnect with the collective.

But it was in the 20th century that dance therapy took its modern form. Marion Chace, an American dancer and psychoanalyst, was the first to systematically incorporate dance into psychiatric treatments in the United States in the 1940s. She collaborated with psychiatrists to treat hospitalised patients. Her foundational work laid the groundwork for what is still practised today, and she is considered the pioneer of the discipline.

In France, dance therapy has been gradually developing since the 1980s, with the creation of specialised training courses and professional associations such as the SFDT (French Society of Dance Therapy).

Une séance de danse thérapie se déroule généralement comme suit : * **Accueil et création d'un espace sécurisé :** Le thérapeute commence par accueillir les participants, établit une connexion et crée un environnement de confiance et de non-jugement où chacun se sent en sécurité pour s'exprimer. * **Mouvement d'ouverture :** La séance débute souvent par des mouvements doux et progressifs pour aider les participants à se connecter à leur corps, à se centrer et à se préparer à bouger. Cela peut inclure des étirements légers, des respirations conscientes ou des mouvements simples et répétitifs. * **Exploration thématique ou improvisation guidée :** Le cœur de la séance implique un travail basé sur un thème, une émotion, une intention ou une consigne donnée par le thérapeute. Les participants sont invités à explorer ce thème à travers le mouvement, l'improvisation, ou des danses plus structurées. Il n'y a pas de "bonne" ou de "mauvaise" façon de bouger ; l'accent est mis sur l'expression authentique et personnelle. * **Utilisation d'éléments de danse et de mouvement :** Le thérapeute peut introduire divers éléments tels que la qualité du mouvement (rapide, lent, saccadé, fluide), l'espace (près, loin, haut, bas), le rythme, la relation avec les autres participants, l'usage d'accessoires, la musique, ou le silence. * **Processus émotionnel et cognitif :** Durant le mouvement, les participants peuvent explorer et exprimer une large gamme d'émotions, de pensées et de sensations. La danse thérapie offre un moyen non verbal de traiter des expériences, de comprendre des schémas de comportement et de développer de nouvelles perspectives. * **Partage et intégration (optionnel) :** Selon le cadre et les besoins du groupe, il peut y avoir un temps de partage verbal après les phases de mouvement. Cela permet aux participants de discuter de leurs expériences, de ce qu'ils ont ressenti, observé ou appris. Ce partage aide à intégrer les expériences corporelles dans une compréhension plus consciente. * **Mouvement de clôture :** La séance se termine par des mouvements qui ramènent le groupe à un état de calme et de stabilité, tout en intégrant les prises de conscience et les expériences vécues. Cela peut ressembler au mouvement d'ouverture, mais avec une énergie plus contenue et une sensation de clôture. La structure exacte d'une séance peut varier considérablement en fonction du thérapeute, du cadre (individuel ou groupal), du public (enfants, adultes, personnes âgées, populations spécifiques) et des objectifs thérapeutiques visés. Cependant, l'essence reste la même : l'utilisation du mouvement et de la danse comme outil thérapeutique pour favoriser le bien-être émotionnel, cognitif, physique et social.

The typical format

A session typically begins with a welcome and a gentle warm-up to get the body moving. The therapist then proposes a theme or intention: an emotion, a physical sensation, an image. Participants freely engage with it through improvisation.

No mirrors, no judgment, no «right» way to move. Everything that emerges is valid. The session often concludes with a period of verbal exchange to share experiences and anchor the practice in awareness.

Here are the steps you'll find in most sessions:

• Welcome and creation of a secure space
• Gentle body warm-up
• Free exploration around a theme or intention
• Time for improvisation and personal expression
• Calming down and verbal exchange about the experience

Individually or in a group?

Both formats exist and cater to different needs. In a group, the collective dynamic creates a strong sense of belonging and facilitates emotional openness. Watching others move, sharing a space for expression: it's also a way to feel less alone with one's emotions.

On an individual basis, the relationship with the therapist allows for working through more intimate issues at one's own pace. Some start in a group to acclimatise to the practice before moving to individual sessions. Others do both in parallel.

The benefits of dance therapy

On the body: coordination, flexibility, and endorphins

Dance therapy mobilises the entire body: hips, shoulders, pelvis, spine. With regular practice, it improves coordination, flexibility and body awareness. You begin to «inhabit» your body better, to feel its signals.

It also stimulates the release of endorphins, these feel-good hormones that naturally reduce stress and pain. Many participants report improved sleep quality, less muscle tension, and renewed energy after a few sessions.

On mental health: anxiety, stress and depression

This is one of the most documented effects. Dance therapy helps to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It offers a safe space to express emotions that are difficult to put into words, such as anger, sadness, fear, and frustration. By moving, you move through them rather than dwelling on them.

It also boosts self-confidence and self-esteem, gradually, through the repeated experience of free, non-judgmental expression. For many participants, this is the first time they have felt authorised to take up space and express themselves without seeking to please.

On memory and cognition: the contribution of science

INSERM recommends dancing to «think better» and delay certain neurodegenerative diseases. Memorising sequences, coordinating movements, adapting to music: all this stimulates several types of memory at once:

• Rhythmic memory
• Spatial memory
• Kinaesthetic memory
• Emotional memory

Studies show positive effects in patients with Parkinson's disease and of’Alzheimer's improvement of motor skills, reduction of anxiety, maintenance of cognitive abilities. In nursing homes, dance therapy is increasingly integrated into care programmes.

On the social link: reconnecting with others

Dancing in a group builds connections. A study from Oxford University has shown that dancing promotes social connections and helps overcome psychological pain. Sharing a space for expression without judgment develops empathy, reduces isolation, and strengthens the sense of belonging.

For people experiencing loneliness or difficulty forming connections, the non-verbal dimension of dance therapy can be a more accessible bridge than speech.

Dance therapy is suitable for anyone.

The main indications

Dance therapy is used in a wide variety of contexts, both in clinical settings and in personal development spaces:

• Anxiety disorders and depression Managing difficult emotions, reducing rumination
• Burnout and chronic stress: Reconnecting with the body, letting go
• Eating disorders (EDs) body image reconciliation
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development of non-verbal communication
• Neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's: cognitive and motor maintenance
• Bereavement and trauma support that which cannot be said
• Rehabilitation after serious illness: Reclaiming the body

It is practised in hospitals, care homes, health centres, private practices or associations. Some dance therapists also offer workshops open to the general public.

Accessible to all, even without dance experience

A very common misconception: «I don't know how to dance, dance therapy isn't for me.» That's incorrect. No technical prerequisites are necessary. Dance therapy is for everyone, regardless of age, level, or physical condition.

What matters is presence and intention, not performance. Many participants have no prior dance experience, and this is often an advantage: fewer preconceived ideas, more freedom to explore.

FAQ: Your questions about dance therapy

Do you need to know how to dance to start?

No. Dance therapy does not assess your technical abilities or your style. Everyone starts on an equal footing, whether you are a complete beginner or an accomplished dancer. What is assessed is purely what you experience emotionally during the session.

How many sessions are needed to see results?

It depends on the objective. For personal exploration or stress management, a few sessions may be enough to feel a difference. In a more structured therapeutic setting, for chronic anxiety or trauma: several months of follow-up are often recommended. It is the therapist who guides this pace with you according to your needs.

Is dance therapy covered by social security?

Currently, dance therapy is not reimbursed by social security in France. However, some mutual insurance companies offer reimbursement for alternative therapies and well-being practices: inquire with your health insurance provider.

In a hospital or care home setting, dance therapy can be integrated into a care pathway supported by the institution.

Fancy discovering dance at DECIBEL®?

Dance therapy isn’t just for those going through major difficulties. It’s also a powerful tool for anyone seeking to understand themselves better, release tension, and rediscover the joy of movement. The only prerequisite? The desire to move.

And if you want to experience that in a fun, non-judgemental setting with caring coaches, DECIBEL® is there for it. 45-minute sessions, a warm atmosphere, music and Dance classes accessible to everyone. Perfect to start with.