Dance/Movement Therapy Training (3 Years)
Become a Dance/Movement Therapist!
In this training we harness the intelligence of the body-mind as a therapeutic tool for well-being. Learn Dance/Movement Therapy techniques, methods and approaches for use with diverse clients and groups, and explore cutting-edge research in Movement, Somatic Psychology, Attachment and Interpersonal Neuro-Biology. Bring your professional graduate level skills and experience in counselling and psychology together with the art and science of Dance/Movement Therapy to engage clients through the intricate body-mind dynamic.
What we offer:
- A three year 27 credit clinical training with all coursework accredited by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA Alternate Route path) for completion of studies that then allow you (after completion of a 700hour internship and supervision) to apply to the ADTA to become a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT).
- Potential one elective credit in Anatomy/Kinesiology (depending on need within the cohort)
- Ongoing opportunities to attend professional development workshops and to take part in group supervision as part of the required total supervision hours for completion of the Alternate Route training application made to the ADTA for credentialing as a clinical DMT.
What you will gain from this training is knowledge and skills in:
- A clinical approach to working therapeutically using dance and movement
- Facilitating Dance/Movement Therapy for children, teens, adults, and elders
- Applications with diverse individuals and groups
- Movement observation and analysis
- Deepening your own embodiment and knowledge of the process of embodiment
- Trauma informed practices for Dance/Movement Therapy
- Dance/Movement Therapy practices for parenting and family healing
- Movement’s role in human development throughout the life process
- Understanding use of dance in rites of passage, ceremony and ritual
- Self and Co-regulation tools
- Ethical considerations for therapeutic practice in Dance/Movement Therapy
- Using Dance/Movement Therapy to work with differently abled and developmental differences
- Cross-cultural considerations for Dance/Movement Therapy
- Have completed graduate studies in counselling, psychology, social work or the equivalent graduate coursework as specified by the ADTA (www.adta.org)
- Have at least five years of concentrated study in at least one dance form such as modern, ballet, jazz, tap, ethnic or folk, leading to competence in the basic fundamentals of dance. Dance training can have occurred at any time in an applicant’s lifetime, but some of it should be recent.
- Are emotionally mature and ready to commit to the three year training and apply the skills of dance/movement therapy.
- Have time and energy to commit to this full 3 year training program.
- We recommend all students applying to this program have taken our introductory workshop Dipping Your Toes In, as a way for instructors and students to meet and get to know each other through movement.
Next workshop: Saturday, November 19th, 2022 10am to 3:30pm Pacific Standard Time (Online)
- Students are asked to submit a short letter of intent that includes information about their current work and background in somatic movement or dance or yoga. Due before deposit deadline.
- Submission of a short 2-3 minutes video of a dynamic dance created and performed by you. We suggest the dance be an expression of your interest and passion for movement/dance and working with people. Due before deposit deadline.
- To be followed by a 30 minute conversation with a faculty member by phone or Zoom to confirm enrollment and answer any questions the student may have.
Admissions will open in the Winter of 2023 for the 2023 Fall start of program.
All questions and application submissions can be sent to:
Melissa Flagg, Administrative Coordinator info@themovementarc.com
What is involved in this three year training
27 Credits in Dance/Movement Therapy Studies and 1 possible elective credit in Anatomy/Kinesiology:
**In-person courses are dependent on COVID safety protocols, if we cannot meet in person we will meet online.
Admissions intake is taking place now for the 2024 Summer start of program (deadline for applications is Jan 15, 2024, if you are reading this later than that date, please still inquire with us, we may still have space for you!
Courses include synchronous and asynchronous learning time.
*One elective credit in Anatomy/Kinesiology can possibly be organized for students outside of the DMT curriculum depending on the needs within the cohort. This course is an additional cost, as some students coming into the training will already have this credit course from previous training. For those that still require it, The Movement Arc could potentially organize a course for students within the three year time frame if minimum 6 students need this elective credit.
R-DMT Credentialing:
There are many aspects involved in credentialing as a R-DMT beyond the course work, for all the current information, including detailed descriptions of required coursework, internships, and pre-requisite graduate level credits please consult the ADTA Alternate Route HandBook.
Training Schedule
FIRST YEAR: 11 credits (July 2024 through June 2025)
SUMMER 2024
(dates: JULY 16-20 & 23-27)
(LIVE IN PERSON IN VANCOUVER, BC)
Introduction to DMT I: Theory, Methods, and Techniques
30hrs: 2 credits
Introduction to DMT II: Clinical Applications
15hrs: 1 credit
Human Movement Observation Part I: (Frameworks of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies & Kestenberg Movement Profile)
first 30hrs of 45hr course: 2 credits
FALL 2024
(2.5hrs/ Week For 10 weeks)
(DATES TBA, ONLINE USING ZOOM: sept, oct, nov)
Human Movement Observation Part I continued: (Frameworks of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies & Kestenberg Movement Profile)
last 15hrs of 45hr course: 1 credit
WINTER 2025
(dates: march 17-21)
(live in person in vancouver, bc)
The Moving Child parts I and II: DMT with Infants, Children, Youth and Teens
30hrs: 2 credits
DMT for the Adult Journey
(First 7.5hrs of this course live in person, then followed by online learning in Spring 2025)
SPRING 2025
(2.5hrs/week for 8 weeks)
(dates tba, online using zoom: april, may, JUNE)
DMT for the Adult Journey continued..(remainder of hours)
30hrs: 2 credits
SECOND YEAR: 12 credits (July 2025-June 2026)
SUMMER 2025
DATES: JULY 14-18 & 21-25
(LIVE IN PERSON IN VANCOUVER, BC)
Human Movement Observation Part II: (Frameworks of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies & The Kestenberg Movement Profile).
45 hrs: 3 credits
Authentic Movement: Clinical Applications for Adults
30 hrs: 2 credits
FALL 2025
(2.5 HRS/WEEK for 12 WEEKS)
(DATES TBA, ONLINE USING ZOOM: SEPT, OCT, NOV)
30hrs: 2 credits
(Students will have asynchronous assignments and research papers to be writing over the months of Jan and Feb)
WINTER 2026
DATES: MARCH 16-20
(LIVE IN PERSON IN VANCOUVER, BC)
DMT for Trauma Treatment II
30hrs: 2 credits
Spring 2026
Embodied Neurobiology: Taught by Kalila Homann, BC-DMT through the associated Alt Route program called Embodied Neurobiology based in Texas (online in June usually)
30 hrs: 2 credits
Professional Ethics and Cultural Awareness seminar/webinar (7hrs) is an optional training course recommended for students to take dates TBA during spring 2026. This is not an accredited by the ADTA and is an optional course.
THIRD YEAR: 5 credits (July 2026-June 2027)
SUMMER 2026
DATES: JULY 14-18 & 21-25
(LIVE IN PERSON IN VANCOUVER, BC)
Group Dynamics in DMT
45hrs: 3 credits
Filling the Empty Space: DMT for Eating Disorders Treatment
30hrs: 2 credits
FALL 2026
(3 hrs/month for 10mnths)
(ONLINE USING ZOOM: SEPT 2026 til JUNE 2027)
Optional: Group Supervision with peers/other DMT students; 30 hrs towards students’ internship hours supervision.
(Note: Students will still need 40 hours of 1/1 personal supervision before they apply for their R-DMT
WINTER 2027
1/1 Supervision available
SPRING 2027
Later June will be a Completion Ceremony for The Movement Arc’s DMT students, date TBA, online.
(All assignments will need to be completed and marked previous to receiving Certificate of Completion of DMT Studies).
Students may continue to complete their internship hours over the Fall 2027, and then be ready to apply to the ADTA for January 2028 deadline for R-DMT applications.
Tuition fees
27 credits (included in 3 years of study): $16,200 + $810 (5%GST tax) = $17,010 CDN + additional costs*
(Your choice to take an additional 1 credit 15hr course in Anatomy/Kinesiology through The Movement Arc, dates TBA depending on student interest): this is an additional cost not included in above 27 credits.
A $1620 deposit** is required to register (deposit is 12% of tuition before tax)
Quarterly Payment Plan for 3 YearsA $1620 deposit** is required to register (deposit is 12% of tuition before tax) | ||
| Payment | Amount (after deposit) | Due Date |
| 1 – Year 1 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | 1 month after Deposit |
| 2 – Year 1 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 3 – Year 1 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 4 – Year 1 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 5 – Year 2 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 6 – Year 2 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 7 – Year 2 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 8 – Year 2 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 9 – Year 3 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 10 – Year 3 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
| 11 – Year 3 | $1080 (PLUS 5% GST tax) | Every 3 months |
*One elective credit in Anatomy/Kinesiology can potentially be organized for students outside of the DMT curriculum depending on the needs of the student cohort. This course is an additional cost, as some students coming into the training will already have this credit course from previous training. For those that still require it, The Movement Arc could potentially organize a course for students within the three year time frame, with a guest instructor (potentially online or tagged onto one of the summer or spring intensives, as wanted by students).
*Group Supervision fees are not included in the overall 3 year DMT program cost; this is optional for those Dance/Movement Therapy training students in their second or third year of studies, who have begun their internship hours in a clinical setting. $1200 is the fee for 30hours of group supervision (a savings of $2550 in lieu of individual supervision fees for those hours).
*Cost of the 3 year DMT program textbooks is not included in the course fees. Students can expect to invest approximately $1000 for required textbooks over the three years of the training, though many books can be ordered through your public library or bought second hand.
*All travel and accommodation required for students coming from outside of the region are not included in the course fees. Billeting with other local students may be available, please inquire.
**Deposits are non-refundable (please review our policy)
Please Note:
Admissions are now open for the 2024 Summer start of this program. The sooner you apply, the better: with a 1/1 interview, movement video and letter of interest.
Inquiries welcome any time!
Our Core Instructors
- Hana Kamea Kemble
- Tannis Hugill
- Laurie Potter
GUEST Instructors
- Suzanne Hastie
- Dennis McCarthy
- Dr. Charne Furcron
- Veronica Berezowsky
- Janet Kaylo
And other internationally recognized Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapists and Certified Movement Analysts
