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Dance Movement Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Dance Movement Therapy information

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How much do dance movement therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for dance movement therapy in the United States is $21.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $20.67 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Dance Movement Therapists face when working with clients in group settings?

Dance Movement Therapists working in group settings often navigate challenges such as managing varied physical abilities, emotional responses, and communication styles among participants. Facilitating a safe and inclusive environment while addressing individual needs within the group dynamic requires strong observation skills and adaptability. Additionally, therapists must balance group cohesion with personalized interventions and maintain professional boundaries to foster trust and therapeutic progress.

What is the difference between Dance Movement Therapy vs Art Therapy?

AspectDance Movement TherapyArt Therapy
CredentialsRegistered Dance Movement Therapist (R-DMT), certifications from professional bodiesRegistered Art Therapist (ATR), master's degree in art therapy
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, schools, mental health centersHospitals, mental health clinics, schools, private practice
Industry UsageUsed in mental health, rehabilitation, educationUsed in mental health, education, community programs

Dance Movement Therapy and Art Therapy both serve mental health and emotional well-being but differ in their primary mediums—movement versus visual art. While they share similar credentials and work environments, their approaches and techniques are distinct, catering to different client needs and preferences.

What is a dance therapist?

A dance therapist is a mental health professional who uses movement and dance to help clients improve emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. They often hold specialized training or certification in dance/movement therapy and work in clinical or community settings to facilitate healing and self-expression.

What is the highest paying dance job?

In dance-related careers, dance company directors and choreographers often earn the highest salaries, especially those working with major companies or in entertainment industries. Advanced roles typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and sometimes additional business or management training.

How much do dance therapists make?

Dance movement therapists in California typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, certification, and work setting. Salaries can vary based on factors such as location, employer, and level of education or specialization.

What do you do in dance movement therapy?

Dance movement therapy is a mental health profession where therapists use movement and dance to help clients improve emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Practitioners facilitate expressive movement exercises, often integrating body awareness and emotional processing to support healing and personal growth.

What is dance movement therapy?

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses movement and dance to support emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration. DMT is based on the premise that the body and mind are interconnected, so movement can be used to express emotions, reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and enhance overall well-being. This therapy is facilitated by a trained dance movement therapist and can be tailored to individuals or groups in various settings, including mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, and community centers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dance Movement Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dance Movement Therapist, you need a background in dance or movement studies, a master's degree in dance/movement therapy, and certification from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). Familiarity with therapeutic assessment tools, documentation systems, and group facilitation techniques is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to create a safe, inclusive environment are essential soft skills. These abilities enable therapists to effectively use movement for emotional healing, ensuring clients feel supported and achieve therapeutic goals.
More about Dance Movement Therapy jobs
What cities are hiring for Dance Movement Therapy jobs? Cities with the most Dance Movement Therapy job openings:
What states have the most Dance Movement Therapy jobs? States with the most job openings for Dance Movement Therapy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Dance Movement Therapy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Dance Movement Therapy jobs are:
Infographic showing various Dance Movement Therapy job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 32% As Needed, 9% Full Time, 53% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $45,679 per year, or $22 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

The Dance/Movement Therapist will develop therapeutic goals based on observing and assessing client movement and behavior facilitate dance/movement therapy groups utilizing movement and creative processes as therapeutic intervention, document client progress, set therapeutic goals, and attend treatment team meetings.  The Dance/ Movement Therapist will also conduct individual sessions.  Draw from research in Dance/Movement Therapy field to design therapeutic movement-based activity and experience that meet clients’ needs, interest, and abilities. Assess consumers and establish individual and group therapy goals, both short-term and long-term. Facilitate dance/movement therapy groups and individual sessions. Educate consumers what dance/movement therapy is and how they may benefit from this form of therapy. Offer dance and movement experiences that allow consumers to express personal emotion and feelings both non-verbally and verbally, and overall develop a wider range of communication skills. Facilitate verbal processing at the end of each group to assist consumers’ in exploring and understanding what they experienced on a movement level, coping skills they are developing, and how these skills can be applied to everyday life. Provide consumers with exposure to a wide variety of music and movement experiences comprised of movement-based games/activities/ and styles of dance as therapeutically appropriate. Observe, evaluate, and document consumer behavior and participation in movement activity; analyzing how movement quality may offer insight into psychological state or developmental level. Attend treatment team meetings to discuss and advocate client needs and to share with team how consumer is presenting on a movement level and what this may imply psychologically. Collaborate with the treatment team to discuss and advocate for the consumer needs. Schedule and conduct individual dance/movement therapy sessions when therapeutically appropriate and as requested by the treatment team. Order dance/movement therapy props and supplies and maintain this equipment. Support consumers by attending Agency functions (graduations, school dance, holiday events, recreational activity, etc.) as time allows. Conduct additional dance/movement therapy related duties on an as needed basis. Help consumers develop new coping skills through body awareness and movement exploration. Support colleagues through regular participation in peer supervision. Additional dance/movement duties as assigned by supervisor.

Must be willing to travel between three programs located in Burlington and Mercer Counties (Willingboro, Titusville and Robbinsville).

Hours:

Full Time; Monday – Friday, flexibility required based upon program need.

Full time benefits include:

  •  3.2 weeks of PTO in first year
  •  Health insurance, vision, dental & life insurance benefits
  • 9 Agency-paid holidays
  • 403(b) employee participation & employer match
  • Training opportunities provided throughout the year

Education/Experience:

Master’s Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy/Counseling.

Your driver's license must be in good standing, with no recent suspensions or violations of careless/reckless driving or excessive speeding of more than 20 MPH, and no more than 2 moving violations within the last 3 years.

Legacy Treatment Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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