Expressing their true feelings is often difficult for a person struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Answering the question to what is dance therapy gives them an outlet for verbalizing those feelings without speaking.
No fixed movement style applies to how this therapeutic method works. Programs can involve traditional dances or use subtle movements like yoga. This is meaningful since addiction treatment is never one-size-fits-all.
Exposure to dance movement therapy allows a person to achieve cognitive, physical, social, and emotional improvement. This creative expression of pain often associated with addiction can also reduce stress.
Underlying Principles for Understanding What Is Dance Therapy
A primary underlying principle of dance therapy is the connection between the body and mind. Treating both together rather than separately helps to facilitate healing from addiction.
The belief that trauma and other emotional issues are often trapped in the body is another principle. Holding them inside causes the body to express the issues in other ways. These can manifest as chronic pain, severe tension, or poor sleeping habits.
The current state of a person’s body affects their mental and physical health. This principle holds that this happens in both negative and positive ways.
Expressive movement can reflect the unconscious processes of what is happening internally. Dance therapy seeks to help them find nonverbal ways to release what could harm them.
4 Distinct Stages to Describe What is Dance Therapy
Therapy in a dance therapy program also follows four distinct stages. The first stage is preparation.
During this initial stage, the person warms up for the movement dance exercise. Proper warmup helps to ensure a person can move safely without risking an injury. Next, they enter the incubation stage to become mindful, relaxed, and open to what is about to happen.
The illumination stage is where they learn what different movements may reveal. A person can also explore how the revelations impact their life.
The last stage is evaluation so that a person can process the session. This is where they can discuss the significance of what happened during the session. A therapist may also share their observations and review how well the person is progressing towards treatment goals.
What is Dance Therapy That Makes it Different from Dancing?
It is common knowledge that dancing is good for a person’s health. It can improve muscle tone, balance, and cardiovascular endurance. During a dance therapy session, however, the movement is more than just exercise. It becomes a person’s language in addiction treatment.
This therapeutic method gives the person movement vocabulary for physical expression. Their therapist assesses body language for non-verbal behaviors that can be insightful for a lasting recovery.
Including Dance Therapy in Addiction Recovery
The right drug or alcohol addiction treatment program is essential for long-term sobriety. Crest View Recovery Center offers dance therapy and reality-based programs to ensure you receive the best care.
Our other holistic forms of treatment include:
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Nutrition therapy
- Recreational therapy
Finally, don’t let your inner emotions dictate the life you really do not want to live. Contact us today at 866.262.0531 to begin your recovery.
