Dance movement therapy processes and interventions in the treatment of children with anxiety disorders derived from therapy logs

Abstract

Dance movement therapy (DMT) offers children a space to encounter strengths and experience a sense of vitality to increase their sense of confidence and self-awareness, thereby easing their anxiety and/or helping them achieve more adaptive emotion regulation. While previous studies indicate that DMT effectively reduces anxiety symptoms, such as stress, scant research focuses on the nature of the therapeutic interventions and how they assist in treating anxiety. This study is a qualitative assessment that examined DMT techniques and interventions of one therapist’s work through their documentation in therapy logs tracking eight long-term treatments of children aged 8–11 coping with anxiety symptoms. Four intervention axes were identified: (1) action-promoting interventions (2) separation-promoting interventions; (3) interventions for strengthening the sense of self; and (4) integration-promoting interventions. Based on the findings, a therapeutic model is proposed drawing on various “mirroring” interventions as the basis for forming the therapeutic relationship and additional therapeutic interventions involving movement. The model enables the child to explore their experience of the relationship, understand themselves in a new way, and create meaning.