Art Psychotherapy and Dance Movement Psychotherapy:
Information for clients
Art Psychotherapy
Art psychotherapy is a psychological treatment, which uses active participation with an
art-form as a route to psychological development. The creative process can be easy to
access and sometimes a more enjoyable and less intimidating form of communication
than words alone. The art psychotherapy group aims to provide an environment where
participants can begin to experience themselves in a different way and explore new
ways of relating to themselves, and consequently to others, informed by their
experience of art making within the context of a therapeutic, client led, relationship.
There is no expectation that people need special abilities/experience in the arts to
benefit from any of the arts psychotherapies.
The group is underpinned with evidence-based mentalisation-based treatment (MBT)
principles focusing on the relationship between self and other in the current moment.
Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP)
Dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) can be defined as “the therapeutic use of
movement, body awareness, dance and relaxation techniques to facilitate changes in
all developmental levels: social, emotional, physical, cognitive and communicative”.
DMP processes can be done within a group or as a one-to-one interaction, across a
variety of client groups, including learning disabilities, eating disorders, mental or
psychiatric disorders. Individuals of any age group with concerns about their lives, or
who would like to know themselves better, can benefit from DMP.
The structure of a DMP session helps to create a safe and trusting environment, and
therefore, it could change depending on the needs of each specific patient or client
group. Although sessions are typically divided into four parts: check-in, warm-up,
movement /dance and check-out.
Comments, Complaints, Compliments
We welcome your views on our service.
Please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for confidential advice
and information about CNWL services:
• Phone: 020 3214 5773
• Email: pals.cnwl@nhs.net
Updated 2013
This document is also available in other languages, large print, Braille, and audio format upon request.
Please email communications.cnwl@nhs.net
Dokument ten jest na życzenie udostępniany także w innych wersjach językowych, w dużym druku, w
alfabecie Braille'a lub w formacie audio.
Mediante solicitação, este documento encontra-se também disponível noutras línguas, num formato de
impressão maior, em Braille e em áudio.
Dokumentigaan waxaa xitaa lagu heli karaa luqado kale, daabacad far waa-wayn, farta indhoolaha (Braille)
iyo hab dhegaysi ah markii la soo codsado.
Be belge istenirse, başka dillerde, iri harflerle, Braille ile (görme engelliler için) ve ses kasetinde de temin
edilebilir.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Stephenson House, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL.
www.cnwl.nhs.uk