Depending on the level of training, DMT professionals can work with different types of client groups and offer mental health support at different degrees. Generally speaking, the role of a DMT professional is to:

• To develop a safe and trusting relationship with the client
• To support and encourage the client’s movements by either mirroring, suggesting or empathetically observing and acknowledging movements
• To give space and allow free-association of movement
• To allow and encourage various emotions that emerge during the process
• To use the psychological/psychotherapeutic framework in conjunction with movement analysis and observation tools to understand how the client relates to themselves and others in the environment
• To design and implement programmes for diverse client groups

In a therapeutic setting, DMT can be beneficial for individuals who are:

• Experiencing difficulties or concerns with emotional problems, conflict or distress
• Who may find some feelings or experiences too overwhelming, or difficult to be communicated with words alone, or for those who may avoid feelings
• Whose problems are bound up in the body in form of body tension, or impaired movements or anxieties about proximity, physical contact or trust
• Whose impairment or trauma may hinder the capacity for them or others to acknowledge and understand the personal strengths and weaknesses

There are a number of individual benefits that can be experienced through the use of Dance Movement Therapy. The most common benefits seen across various groups of people are:

• Increasing self-awareness, self-esteem and personal autonomy
• Experiencing links between thought, feelings and actions
• Expressing and managing overwhelming feelings and thoughts that interrupt learning
• Maximising opportunity of communication through movement, play or other resources that the client chooses to use
• Testing inner feeling with outer reality by using the safety of the therapeutic relationship
• Taking risks by initiating physical, emotional and cognitive shifts to enhance social interaction and emotional regulation

Dance Movement Therapy can be integrated with a variety of other mental health and health care settings. Here are some examples of spaces where you can find a DMT professional practicing:

• Mental health/Psychiatric settings
• Special needs schools
• Educational institutitions
• Rehabilitation centres
• Hospital settings
• Educational settings such as schools, colleges, universities
• Forensic settings
• Nursing homes
• Pediatrics, children, and youth psychiatry and psychotherapy clinics
• Neurological rehabilitation facilities
• Pain management treatment
• Oncology departments
• Private practices

Dance Movement Therapy is based on the principle that the mind and body are one. It has been found that by creating a shift in one, the individual experiences a shift and growth in the other. It encourages the expression of the participants already existing physical and emotional states and works to provide clarity and integration of experiences and parts of the self.

• Creating a safe space and therapeutic relationship for a client
• Determining the need and goals of the client
• Developing a therapeutic relationship
• Using suitable, person centred approaches and techniques to reach identified needs and goals

The nature of a dance class is instructive whereas the nature of a DMT session is expressive and exploratory. The therapist does not teach the client any steps or forms of dance, but rather observes and utilizes their existing movement preferences to further personal growth and change. The distinguishing factor is the goal which in DMT can be social, emotional, cognitive and psycho-motor.

DMT has various benefits depending on the individual’s challenges and needs. Some commonly experienced benefits are:

• Mindfulness
• Self-awareness
• Stress reduction
• Improved mood
• Pain management
• Self-confidence
• Self-acceptance
• Learning to express and regulate feelings
• Integration of the body, mind & spirit
• Developing healthy relationship skills

DMT is an inclusive practice, and is suited to people at different life stages and with a range of physical/mental abilities and needs. It can be done as individual sessions or group sessions. Populations who can benefit from DMT include

• Neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals
• Individuals with special needs
• Individuals with emotional challenges
• Individuals who have experienced trauma, abuse, grief, and loss
• Individuals experiencing chronic stress, hyper tensionIndividuals suffering from mental health challenges such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression to name a few
• Individuals suffering from mental health challenges such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression to name a few
• Older adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s
• Individuals suffering from Cancer
• Individuals exploring sexuality and sexual identity
• Couples
• Families

There are various levels of education you can opt in for in India and abroad, to be recognized as a Dance Movement Therapist, a Dance Movement Therapy Practitioner, or a Dance Movement Therapy Facilitator. You can find more information about these categories here. You can find more information about the courses available in India and abroad by writing to us.

For as long as you are an active IADMT member.

IADMT's annual paid memberships (Professional, Allied Associate, Organisational members) can avail of benefits for 1 year from the Membership Cycle that they registered/renewed during. For example, if you joined or renewed your membership in Jan/Feb 2023, you can avail of benefits till Jan 2024. To continue availing of benefits without interruptions, please renew your membership within the given time.

Student memberships do not expire and student members can continue to avail of their free membership benefits. Students are welcome to join back as Professional Members once they have completed their course and avail of other benefits we offer to our paid members.

Here are a few reasons why your profile might not be visible on our Directory:

• It's been less than 6-8 working days since you filled out our Profile Create/Update Form
• This benefit is only available to Professional and Organisational Members, and you are registered with us as an Allied Associate or Student Member.
• You haven't created a profile before on the IADMT website.
• Your membership lapsed and your profile was deactivated.
• There's a technical issue that our Website team is either working on or not yet aware of.

If you would like to request the Profile Create/Update link, please fill out this form and you will hear back soon from membership@iadmt.org.

If you have other questions or concerns about your profile on the Directory, please write to website@iadmt.org with your IADMT Membership ID and details of your request.

If you choose not to renew your paid Professional or Organisational membership, we hold your IADMT Membership ID for 1 year from the end of your original membership, after which it will be recycled. Your profile will no longer be visible on our Directory, and you will not be able to avail of any member discounts.

If you wish to become a member after 1 year of your membership lapsing, you'll have to re-apply as a new member.

Congratulations! We welcome our Student Members to become Professional Members with IADMT after completing their training in DMT. If you are an existing Student Member with us, use the 'Change My Membership Type' Form to update us on your new credentials.

If your Professional Membership is approved, your Student Membership ID and benefits will be suspended and you may only use the Professional Membership ID to continue availing of your new benefits.

Benefits can only be availed until your membership is active and any not accessed will lapse. Paid memberships need to be renewed annually to count as active/registered members of IADMT.

If you are applying as a NEW member for the first time, we are now offering pro-rated membership benefits and fees to allow you to join our community, even for a short while. Check the bottom of this page for more details about pro-rated memberships.

If your IADMT membership was approved, you will have received an email from membership@iadmt.org titled 'Congratulations on your IADMT Membership!'. This email will contain your Membership ID and give you an idea of whether you must renew in the Jan-Feb or Jul-Aug cycles.

We're so sorry to hear that! Write to membership@iadmt.org to request a payment link to renew your annual membership with IADMT.

Please note that regardless of when you renew, your benefits will remain applicable only until 30th June of that/the following year. Hence, we encourage members to renew as early as possible when our renewal cycle officially opens 1st July.

Thank you for your interest in being part of the IADMT community again! Please note that if it has been 2 years since you were given an IADMT Membership ID, that ID will have been reassigned, and you will be assigned a new one if your membership application has been approved.

You are welcome to sign up for a paid membership as a new member at any time the year. Visit our Membership Page to check which type you are eligible for and to submit your application. You can also write to membership@iadmt.org with any specific queries.

Numerous global DMT training programs are available, searchable on Google or via accredited country associations. Contact IADMT at education.iadmt@gmail.com for information on current courses in India. If there are any clarifications you have need through the process of your search, we are happy to offer support along the way!

Each training program focuses on enhancing the DMT Professional's skills in specific areas. The different types of DMT courses available vary in training duration, topics covered, psychological/mental health frameworks, and clinical training. These skills enable professionals to work effectively in various settings and with specific populations. The IADMT's Professional Membership distinguishes these professionals, making it easier for potential clients and collaborators to find them through our Find A Professional page, ensuring transparent access to their services.

We think it's important to have a broad perspective when seeking CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities. Any CPD program that helps you improve existing skills or learn something new can be valuable.

This might include exploring Art-based experiences, honing Clinical or Facilitation skills, deepening your knowledge of Biological or Neurosciences, staying updated on new Research, improving your Research skills, and getting involved in your Community.

The IADMT's Professional Member Directory provides access to profiles of active practitioners, some of whom may offer supervision services as well. Check out their bios to see if they mention Supervision as their specialisation.