Dance Movement Therapy

What is dance/movement therapy?

Based on the empirically supported premise that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected, The American Dance Therapy Association(ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as the Psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual.

Dance/movement therapy emerged as a profession in the US in the 1990s. By the early 1990s, it had reached Korea, and is now an established vocation, combining the creative process and the study of human movement into a holistic approach that draws upon the elements inherent in dance. Programs are designed to meet specific goals and bring about therapeutic change.

Dance/Movement Therapy in Korea

The Dance Movement Therapy was initially introduced and applied in Korea by Boon Soon Ryu (Ph.D, ARDT, BC-DMT) in early 1990s. The Dance Movement Therapy Profession in Korea consists of an ever- growing number of practitioners working in clinical, educational and community settings with individuals or groups of all ages including special schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons, psychiatric clinics, community health centers, community welfare centers, corporates, private practice, etc.
Hospital

Seoul National Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Ansan Medical Center, Yong Specialist Clinics in Psychiatry, Yong-In Mental Hospital, The Armed Forces Medical Command, The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation KARF Hospital, Bobath Children’s Hospital, Neuropsychiatry Clinic Lim Gyewon, Hyesoo Pediatric Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Mirae Neuropsychiatry Clinic, Busan Dongnae Mental Hospital, Childhood Cancer Center etc.
Public Health Center

Nowon Community Mental Health Center, Dongjak Community Mental Health Center, Seongnam Jungwon Community Mental Health Center, Youngdengpo Community Mental Health Center, Geumcheon Community Mental Health Center, Dobonggu Center for Dementia etc.
Welfare Center

Seoul Health Family Support Center, Dobong Silver Welfare Center, Shinjeong Community Welfare Center, Yongin Community, Rehabilitation Center, Seoul Junggu Youth Center, Gwangjangdong Community Welfare Center, Gayangdong Evergreen Welfare Center, Masan Rehabilitation Center, Geumcheon Youth Center, Changwon Gyongnam Rehabilitation Center, Ehwa Woman University Welfare Center etc.
Others

Family Court, Health Family Center, Multi Culture Family Center, Ansan School of Arts, Alternative School Nanna, Single Mom Care Centers, Youth Shelters, Woman Shelters, Correctional Institutions, Dementia Centers, Seoul Office of Education WEE Center etc.