Lava Heights Academy Therapeutically Informed Dance and Movement for Teens

At Lava Heights Academy, we use Dance and Expressive Movement as a powerful therapeutic tool in the treatment of youth. Dance, yoga, and expressive movement are used by our specialists to assist our students in regard to self-identity and social dysfunction.

We believe that creative expression through dance and movement helps students to break down the barriers of a false self-identity, and at the same time learn appropriate social skills. Dance and movement can work therapeutically by connecting the student to their emotions through appropriate expression.

The therapeutic process of using dance and motion allows youth to better understand their feelings and regulate their emotions. Thus, youth learn to express their emotions appropriately through creative motion. At Lava Heights, the dynamics of movement are taught through dance, but it is not about technique. Although technique development is important, dance has a deeper purpose; allowing expression as a powerful form of communicative expression.

The benefit of dance training allows the young person to experience emotions in non-threatening ways. Before, during, and after dance training, our students process what they experienced. In this way, youth are more willing to talk about their feelings. One of the goals of dance is to promote prosocial skills. Dance can be used effectively to break down the walls between our students and other people.

The Objective of Our Dance Program is to Find True Self-Identity

The objective of dance is to help our students to find their true self-identity through an alternative means. Through dance and movement, they are better able to develop self- awareness and improved self-image. As with any approach, the goal is effective therapeutic intervention. Dance is a powerful platform for self-expression that can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself. Moreover, with dance there is less resistance. For some youth, dance is a more effective approach than traditional psychotherapy.

Dance, or dance movement, is an effectual therapeutic use for emotional, social, and behavioral improvement. As a form of therapeutically informed creative arts, dance is founded on the premise that movement and emotion are related. At Lava Heights Academy, the ultimate purpose of dance is to help struggling youth find a healthy balance and sense of wellbeing.

The benefits of dance/movement as a therapeutic intervention are well-established. Dance uses movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual. Through movement, dance can help youth learn appropriate ways of self-expression.