Dance Movement Therapy & Eating Disorders

How can Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) improve body image?

In complete contrast to diets, weighing scales, or fitness-oriented physical exercise, DMT cultivates mindful and bodyful ways of relating to and through the body. The participants in our study, who were suffering from Eating Disorders, could use symbolic, spontaneous movement to express and regulate their emotions in a safe place where they were seen, respected, and supported by the group and the therapist. Most importantly, they (re-)discovered the pure enjoyment found in the playful, body-based interaction with their peers, which had immediate effects on their mood, and (hopefully long-lasting) effects on their body image (how they experienced, imagined, and related to their bodies).

In the open access full-text, you can see the quantitative results on body image, participants' writings about the personal therapy experience, AND the specific dance movement therapy techniques used in this intervention.