{"value"=>"<p> <span class=\"title\">Dance/Movement Therapy As a Therapeutic Intervention with Dancers Who Become Mentally III</span></p> <p>The demanding career of a dancer has its drawbacks. A literature review of the dancer's lifestyle, on both a professional and personal level revealed many stressors and limitations. A breakdown in one's supportive environment or in one's psychic functioning results in a decrease in one's ability to cope with the pressures of performing. The dancer's strong desire to succeed also works against them and causes reactions that are hazardous to their health. Dance Therapy, as a therapeutic intervention with dancers, was compared with dance classes. The comparison revealed the artificiality required of dancers in their trade, especially for ballet dancers, as opposed to the reality to the reality discovered in dance therapy. The literature about dancers in dance therapy points out specific goals that are helpful in treating dancers. The importance of the dance therapist's role in treatment and in controlling the transference/countertransference relationship is emphasized. Five dancers who attended dance therapy at Payne Whitney Clinic of New York Hospital were studied and compared among themselves and among non-dancer patients; this study revealed certain factors which affected their performance. An awareness of dancers pressured lives, their needs, and their performance in dance therapy should guide the therapist in successful treatment of dance patients in dance therapy.</p>"}