Treating Depression in Children and Adolescents with Movement Therapy

Depression is a draining condition affecting many people worldwide with a restricted number of evidences‐based treatments. It is the largest cause of mental ill health worldwide especially amongst the children and adolescents. Unlike verbal psychotherapy, and the most prevalent forms of psychotherapy recommended for depression such as cognitive behavioural therapy, Movement Therapy does not require considerable cognitive and linguistic skills from the client/patient. Therefore, it can possibly bypass social or cultural barriers. Movement Therapy, alongside other arts therapies offers an attractive option for children and adolescents going through depression since it allows them to work through issues that are located at a non- and pre-verbal level. It offers a way to work through issues that are difficult to articulate or are buried in the subconscious mind because they are painful, frightening, or difficult to access and address through intellectual means.

Movement therapy is defined “as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, for the purpose of improving health and well-being. It can be beneficial to anyone wanting to take a holistic approach to therapy, it can be effective for various ages and diagnoses, from depression to autism and dementia.

Movement therapy (DMT), is a practice that uses a more holistic approach to mental wellness that focuses on the integration of the physical being with the emotions. The practice can be used to help treat a variety of diagnoses, such as trauma, depression, autism, eating disorders and psychosis.

Movement Therapy sessions focus on organic movement and movement patterns that support a person’s emotional regulation and behaviour change. It considers the individual’s cognitive, emotional, spiritual and physical abilities and needs regarding mental and emotional wellbeing

Movement therapy can be effective in helping to manage a variety of conditions, including; Anxiety, Chronic pain, Depression, eating disorders, Alzheimer’s etc. It works with the body using a spectrum of movement—from metabolic movement to tone, reflexes, motor planning, non-verbal communication and creative movement. Movement therapy helps in creating sustainable changes and to move toward sustainable healing and recovery.

Benefits of Movement Therapy

Movement Therapy combines physical and mental wellness. Movement Therapy can help children understand how their body is responding to their environment, which can reveal the impact it has on their behavioural patterns. It has been shown to improve mood, support positive body image, increase feelings of vitality, coordination and mobility and reduce stress. It also helps with increased self-identity, awareness and confidence, enhanced resilience, compassion and better body awareness.

How to Access Movement Therapy

Like other types of therapy, DMT is offered in one-on-one settings but is also frequently done in groups. At JOOPOP you can find a registered, board-certified movement therapist. We focus on helping the children improve self-esteem and body image, develop effective communication skills and relationships, expand their movement vocabulary, gain insight into patterns of behaviour, as well as create new options for coping with problems.