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Man and woman touch hands while dancing. A group of people in the background.

What is this leaflet for?

This leaflet gives easy read information about dance movement therapy, what it is and how it can help you.

Two people are reading a document. One person is pointing to the page and talking.

A member of staff or a carer can support you to read this booklet. They will be able to answer any
questions that you have.

Man and woman with their arms stretched out to the side

What is dance movement therapy?

Dance movement therapy can help you to try and understand your feelings. You will be working with a dance therapist. They will work with you on any difficulties you are having.

Young woman with arms crossed and head lowered

You might be worried about:

  • How you are getting on with other people
  • Managing with things at home
  • Why you might feel lonely and upset

In dance therapy you can role play, use props, dance, and play games.

Movement can be a good way to help you relax.

Two people dancing

Dance can be a good way to:

  • Show how you feel
  • Tell stories using your own movements
  • Let out feelings that are hard to put into words
A green smiley face and a red sad face side by side

Dance therapy can help you to think about:

  • Things that matter to you
  • Things that make you happy or sad
  • Things that you would like to change
A boy and a woman touching hands in a high five action

The dance therapist should be able to help you even if you find talking difficult.

Some people find they can use movement or dance to express themselves and this helps them to feel better.

You might find you learn new things about yourself and have some fun too.

A distressed woman being comforted by another woman

Sometimes sharing your feelings with the dance therapist can help you feel less upset or lonely.

The therapist is there to help you. They will listen to you and respect your feelings and privacy.

Girl dancing on her own

Who will be there?

You will usually see the dance therapist on your own.

Sometimes there will be dance therapy groups that you can join.

Calendar showing lots of months

How long will the dance therapy last?

The dance therapist will talk to you about when and where you are going to meet. How long you see the dance therapist for will depend on what you want to work on

Boy dancing

Do I have to be good at dance?

You don’t have to be a good dancer. The dance therapist will support you to create movement using different body actions.

Dance therapy is not like a dance lesson in school. Your work will not be marked by a teacher.

The idea is that you can express yourself freely using movement and dance.

Man in a clown outfit blowing up a yellow balloon

What will happen to the stuff I make?

The dance you make will not be for other people to see.

Any props or things you make will be kept safe by the therapist. They will be kept private.

Two people looking through a photo album

The things you make and the work you do are for you and the therapist to look at and talk about.

You can look back at your old work in therapy and see how things have changed for you over time.

A digital camera and a digital video camera

Sometimes the dance therapist might ask if they can take photos or record your dance movements or conversations.

These will be kept private but you will be able to see them or hear them if you want to.

A shredder showing a piece of paper being shredded

When your therapy ends you can choose to take any of your work away with you.

If you don’t want it your therapist will keep it for a certain amount of time then dispose of it.

This respects your privacy.

A person sitting at a desk writing in a book

Will other people know what is happening in dance therapy?

The dance therapist will respect your privacy and only talk to staff who need to know about your therapy.

They might sometimes write reports but will talk to you about them to check you are happy with them first.

The dance therapist will answer any questions you have.

Two women sitting on the floor and making movements with their arms. A large wall mirror is int he background showing their reflections.

How do I get dance movement therapy?

If you would like to come to dance therapy talk to your ward staff.

They can contact the dance therapist for you.

A therapist talking with their client

The dance therapist will then come to see you and talk about starting some sessions if dance therapy will be helpful to you.

Have your say easy read leaflet cover

Problems, complaints or suggestions

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has a complaints policy.

If you want to complain we will give you a leaflet to explain how to, or you can talk to a member of staff.

If you think there are things we could do to make our service better please tell a member of the team.

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Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre

2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/817/1024 October 2025 V4

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2028

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