Dance Therapist

Dance movement therapists use dance and movement to help improve people's emotional wellbeing, relieve stress and improve confidence.

Their clients could include children or adults with disabilities, emotional or behavioural problems, speech and language difficulties, mental illness or recovering from addictions.

They work closely with other health care professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language therapists.

Dance movement therapists do not teach dance but encourage clients to try and use their bodies to explore movement and communicate through dance, to help them: express themselves; develop insight and create ways of relating to other people; become aware of their feelings; interact with other people more confidently; and bring about positive changes in their lives.

Therapy sessions could be in a group or on a one to one basis. Both therapist and clients take an active part in sessions, by moving and improvising together.

A newly qualified dance movement therapist can earn around £23,000 a year.

With experience, this can rise to around £42,000 a year.

To work as a state-registered dance movement therapist, you need to complete a postgraduate course accredited by the Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK (ADMTUK).

Currently there are four post-graduate therapy training programmes leading to the Dance Movement Therapy profession and one pending, all of which are recognised by ADMTUK and are based in London.

See the ADMTUK website for details of approved courses - student membership available.

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study, or an equivalent professional qualification or extensive experience in a related field.

Alternatively, non-graduates with related experience but without other relevant validated training who can demonstrate the ability to complete academic studies in higher education (e.g. in form of a portfolio) will be considered.

Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.