Integrating dance therapy into treatment

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Creative Arts Therapies

Background:

• Dance therapy was initially perceived by patients as separate from their psychiatric treatment.
• This perception hindered the full integration and effectiveness of dance therapy programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe procedural and structural changes in dance therapy groups to improve patient perception.
• To enhance the integration of dance therapy within a broader psychiatric treatment program.

Main Methods:

• Involving the patient's treatment team in activity selection.
• Forming dance groups with consistent membership to foster interpersonal interaction.
• Incorporating a 10-15 minute discussion period at the end of each session to explore evoked feelings.

Main Results:

• Patient perception shifted from viewing dance therapy as separate to seeing it as integral to treatment.
• Consistent group membership facilitated increased interpersonal interaction among patients.
• Post-session discussions helped patients process emotions and understand the therapeutic relevance of the activities.

Conclusions:

• Procedural and structural modifications can effectively integrate dance therapy into psychiatric care.
• These changes enhance the therapeutic value of dance therapy by clarifying its goals and values.
• Dance therapy, when integrated, can become a valuable component of a comprehensive psychiatric treatment plan.