How does training as a movement therapist / dance therapist work and how much does it cost?

Duration and costs

• Training as a dance therapist or movement therapist can be completed on a part-time basis. Most courses take place at weekends, individual basic courses can be completed on one afternoon per week.
• In terms of the structure and duration of the courses, the schools offer various training models: from individual training modules to 2-3 year basic and advanced courses to 6-year compact courses.
• The course fees for the entire training program are between CHF 26,000 and CHF 31,000.
• Depending on the training model and duration, the annual costs are between CHF 4,420 and CHF 6,200.

Structure and terminations

• The first stage, basic training, lasts 2-3 years and concludes in part with the school's own training certificate for dance therapy or dance and movement therapy.
• Some schools award a diploma as a dance therapist / dance and art therapist after four years.
• Some training courses, combined with proof of basic medical training and practical professional experience, enable registration in the Experience Medicine Register (EMR) of the health insurance companies and with the ASCA.
• Some courses conclude after 5-6 years with the industry certificate of the OdA Artecura (umbrella organization of the Swiss professional associations for therapies with artistic media) as a dance therapist.

The OdA Artecura industry certificate contains the 7 module qualifications, which are the first requirement for admission to the Federal Higher Professional Examination (HFP) as "Art Therapist Method Movement and Dance Therapy", and enables registration with the EMR and the ASCA.

Requirements for the OdA Artecura industry certificate

• Certificates of completion of all 7 training modules
  • Technical basics I
  • Technical basics II
  • Art
  • Art therapy
  • Internship
  • Case study
  • Professional role
• At least 30 hours of teaching therapy with recognized teaching therapists (some schools require a higher number of hours)

Conditions for admission to the Federal PET Diploma in Art Therapy

• Either a tertiary-level qualification in healthcare, social work, education or art or an upper secondary-level qualification and a pass in the equivalence test
• Industry certificate OdA Artecura
• Two years of professional experience as a dance and movement therapist after obtaining the industry certificate
• At least 20 hours of supervision with a recognized supervisor

You can find more information about the higher professional examination in art therapy in the self-test "Art therapist (HFP)"

Self-test for the course "Art therapist (HFP)"

Dance therapist / movement therapist" courses