HealthcareISCO 2269
Dance therapist
Dance therapists support individuals with their emotional, mental or physical health problems helping them to improve their body awareness, self-esteem, social integration and personal development through dance and movement patterns within a therapeutic environment.
Check yourself in a minute: dance therapist
Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
inspire enthusiasm for dance
perform dances
harmonise body movements
maintain healthcare user data confidentiality
provide health education
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (16)
link between dance and music stylelink between dance and music styleThe relation of a practiced dance style with music structure and musicians.dance therapydance therapyThe implementation of dance in a therapeutic treatment in order to improve the self-esteem and body image of the patient.psychological theoriespsychological theoriesThe historical development of counselling and psychological theories, as well as the perspectives, applications, and interviewing and counselling strategies.inspire enthusiasm for danceinspire enthusiasm for danceEncourage and enable people, especially children, to become involved in dance and to understand and appreciate it, either privately or in public contexts.perform dancesperform dancesPerform in artistic productions of differents disciplines such as classical ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, early dance, ethnic dance, folk dance, acrobatic dances and street dance.harmonise body movementsharmonise body movementsHarmonise body movements in accordance to rhythm and melody, aestetic or dramatic concept, dramatic pace, etc.maintain healthcare user data confidentialitymaintain healthcare user data confidentialityComply with and maintain the confidentiality of healthcare users` illness and treatment information.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.develop creative ideasdevelop creative ideasDeveloping new artistic concepts and creative ideas.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...observe healthcare usersobserve healthcare usersObserve healthcare users and record significant conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents, notifying a supervisor or physician when required.assess the patient's therapeutic needsassess the patient's therapeutic needsObserve and assess the patient`s behaviour, attitudes and emotions in order to understand if and how their therapeutic needs can be met with a specific kind of therapy, collecting and analysing inform...develop codified movementsdevelop codified movementsIdentify codified movements to be used. Use and demonstrate codified movements to the performers.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.have emotional intelligencehave emotional intelligenceRecognize ones own and other people`s emotions, distinguish correctly between them and observing how they can influence one`s environment and social interaction and what can be done about it.
Optional (20) — show
eating disorderseating disordersThe various types, pathophysiology and psychology of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorders and how they can be treated.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.autismautismThe characteristics, causes, symptoms and diagnosis of the neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and repetitive behaviour.psychotherapy principlespsychotherapy principlesThe fundamental principles and methods applied in psychotherapy to explore and resolve distressing behaviour or feelings.evaluation of psychological performanceevaluation of psychological performanceThe characteristics of the methods used to assess psychological parameters.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.be a role model in community artsbe a role model in community artsTake responsibility for your physical and emotional wellbeing as a role model for your group. Care for the wellbeing of your participants while leading them in a dance session.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...diagnose mental disordersdiagnose mental disordersFormulate a diagnosis for people with a variety of issues and mental disorders, ranging from short-term personal and emotional problems to severe, chronic mental conditions, recognising and critically...handle patient traumahandle patient traumaAssess the competences, needs, and limitations of people affected by trauma, referring the patients to specialised trauma services where appropriate.use communication techniquesuse communication techniquesApply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.perform musical improvisations in therapyperform musical improvisations in therapyImprovise music as a reaction to what the patient is communicating, in order to enhance the individual nature of the relationship between therapist and patient. Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or p...apply risk management in sportsapply risk management in sportsManage the environment and athletes or participants to minimise their chances of suffering any harm. This includes checking appropriateness of venue and equipment and gathering relevant sport and heal...ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...work with healthcare users' social networkwork with healthcare users' social networkGet involved with the friends, families and other relevant actors important for the client or patient being treated, under the conditions of confidentiality and transparency.develop methods for choreographic integrationdevelop methods for choreographic integrationDevelop methods to pass on your choreographic style or signature to the performers. Define a mode of transmission. Select the necessary tools.plan choreographic improvisationplan choreographic improvisationEstablish improvisation parameters of a physical, spatial or morphological nature. Clarify goals and uses of improvisation.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
art therapist6 shared essential skillsmusic therapist6 shared essential skillsanimal assisted therapist5 shared essential skillsherbal therapist5 shared essential skillsrecreational therapist5 shared essential skillsacupuncturist4 shared essential skillsadvanced physiotherapist3 shared essential skillsaromatherapist3 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a dance therapist do?
Dance therapists support individuals with their emotional, mental or physical health problems helping them to improve their body awareness, self-esteem, social integration and personal development through dance and movement patterns within a therapeutic environment.
What skills does a dance therapist need?
A dance therapist needs 16 essential skills, including link between dance and music style, dance therapy, psychological theories, inspire enthusiasm for dance, perform dances.
Will AI replace dance therapist jobs?
The AI disruption score for dance therapist is 12/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write work-related reports, comply with legislation related to health care, observe healthcare users. Most resilient: be a role model in community arts, perform dances, harmonise body movements.
AI Replacement Risk
12/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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