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Dance and Movement Therapy in Michigan | Counseling & Psychology

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Dance and Movement Therapy in Michigan is a type of therapy that uses safe movement, body awareness, and simple dance to support mental health. If you feel stuck in stress, sadness, trauma, or anxiety—and talking alone has not helped—your body may be holding signals your words cannot share. Many people feel “on edge,” tired, or disconnected, even when life looks okay on the outside. Dance and Movement Therapy (also called dance/movement therapy) can help you calm your nervous system, feel more in control, and reconnect with yourself.

Signs You Might Benefit

Dance and Movement Therapy can help children, teens, adults, and older adults. You do not need dance skills. Sessions are built for your comfort level and your body’s needs.

  • You feel anxious or panicky (tight chest, racing thoughts, can’t relax).
  • You feel depressed or “shut down” (low energy, numb, hard to feel joy).
  • Your body holds stress (headaches, muscle tension, stomach upset, poor sleep).
  • You’ve been through trauma and feel jumpy, disconnected, or unsafe in your body.
  • You struggle with self-esteem or feel uncomfortable being seen.
  • You have trouble with emotions and go from “fine” to “too much” quickly.
  • You feel lonely or have a hard time trusting others.
  • Your child has big feelings and needs help with coping or behavior.

How It Can Help

  • Better mood: movement can support positive emotion and reduce stress.
  • Less anxiety: learn body-based calming skills you can use at home.
  • Stronger coping: practice safe ways to release overwhelm.
  • Improved body awareness: notice early signs of stress before it builds.
  • More confidence: feel more steady and present in your body.
  • Healthier relationships: build connection through rhythm, boundaries, and attunement.

Evidence-Based Approach

Our work is gentle, structured, and guided by clinical training. We use movement as a tool for self-regulation (calming and steadying the body), emotional expression, and healing connection. Research supports that body-based therapies can help with stress, trauma symptoms, and mood. The American Psychological Association recognizes that trauma can live in both the mind and the body, and treatment often includes building skills for safety, coping, and regulation (American Psychological Association, 2017). The National Institutes of Health also discusses how physical activity supports brain health and stress response, which matters when you are recovering from anxiety or depression (NIH, 2023).

Core Methods We May Use

  • Grounding and breath with movement: simple motions to reduce “fight-or-flight.”
  • Mindful movement: noticing sensations, posture, and tension without judgment.
  • Rhythm and pacing: using tempo to support focus, energy, and calm.
  • Mirroring and attunement: therapist matches safe, small movements to build trust.
  • Somatic tracking: learning what your body signals mean (tight jaw, clenched fists, etc.).
  • Expressive movement: giving feelings a safe shape when words are hard.
  • Strength-based choreo “snippets”: short movement patterns that support confidence.

Clinical Reasoning: Why Movement Helps

When you are stressed, your nervous system can get stuck in “go” (anxious, hyper-alert) or “shut down” (numb, low energy). Movement gives your brain and body new information: “I can notice this feeling, stay safe, and choose what I do next.” We go step-by-step. If trauma is part of your story, we focus on control, consent, and pacing so you never feel pushed. We also use clear goals and simple check-ins to track progress.

Michigan Licensing and Safety Standards

In Michigan, psychotherapy must be provided by appropriately licensed professionals (such as Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, or Licensed Master’s Social Workers) within their scope of practice. Dance and Movement Therapy is offered as a clinical service when provided by a qualified clinician, and many therapists also pursue specialized training through the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) or related continuing education. We follow Michigan standards for informed consent, confidentiality, documentation, and ethical care. Your safety, choice, and privacy guide every session.

What to Expect

Your sessions are tailored to your goals, your body, and your comfort. You can participate standing, seated, or using small movements only. You can also choose to keep movement private and subtle. Nothing is forced.

Step 1: Intake and First Visit

In the first appointment, we learn what brings you in and what you want to change. We’ll talk about symptoms, stressors, health history, and what has helped before. Then we’ll do a short, gentle movement check-in (like noticing posture, breath, or tension). You can always say “no,” ask questions, or slow down.

Step 2: Your Treatment Plan

Together we set clear goals. Examples include: fewer panic episodes, better sleep, less shutdown, more confidence in social settings, or improved coping after trauma. We choose tools that match your needs—some sessions may include more talking, and some may include more movement.

Step 3: A Typical Session

  • Arrival and grounding: brief check-in, breath, and “where am I at today?”
  • Movement work: guided nervous-system regulation, rhythm, or expressive movement.
  • Meaning-making: simple reflection (“What did you notice?” “What changed?”).
  • Skills to take home: 1–2 practices you can use in daily life.

What to Wear and Bring

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. You can wear shoes or go without—your choice. Bring water if you like. If mobility or pain is a concern, we adapt everything and can focus on seated or very small movements.

Insurance

Many clients ask if Dance and Movement Therapy is covered. Coverage depends on your plan, diagnosis, and provider credentials. In many cases, services are billed under psychotherapy codes when provided by a Michigan-licensed mental health clinician, and the movement work is part of the treatment approach.

Copays, Deductibles, and What You May Owe

  • Copay: a set amount you pay per visit (example: $20–$60), based on your plan.
  • Deductible: the amount you pay before insurance starts paying (varies widely).
  • Coinsurance: a percentage you pay after the deductible (example: 10%–30%).

Mental Health Parity

Many health plans must follow mental health parity rules, meaning mental health benefits should be comparable to medical benefits. This can affect visit limits and cost-sharing. Because every plan is different, we can help you ask the right questions when you call your insurance company.

Helpful Questions to Ask Your Insurance Plan

  • Is outpatient psychotherapy covered, and do I need prior authorization?
  • What is my copay/coinsurance for mental health visits?
  • Have I met my deductible?
  • Do you cover telehealth sessions?

FAQ

Do I have to be a dancer to do Dance and Movement Therapy?

No. This is not a dance class. Movements can be small and simple, like shifting weight, gentle stretches, tapping, or using rhythm. The goal is healing and coping, not performance.

What if I feel self-conscious or embarrassed?

That is very common. We start with choices that feel safe. You can stay seated, move slowly, or do mirror work where the therapist follows your lead. Your comfort and consent come first.

Can Dance and Movement Therapy help with trauma?

Yes, it can be supportive when done carefully. Trauma can change how the nervous system reacts, and body-based skills may help with grounding and regulation (American Psychological Association, 2017). We use a slow pace, clear boundaries, and skills that build safety and control.

Is this the same as exercise?

Not exactly. Exercise can support mood and health, and NIH notes physical activity benefits brain and stress systems (NIH, 2023). Dance and Movement Therapy is psychotherapy that uses movement for emotional processing, body awareness, and nervous-system regulation. It can be gentle and does not need to be intense.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline
  • National Institutes of Health. (2023). Exercise and physical activity: Your everyday guide. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-and-physical-activity