Supporting people from all walks of life.

DTNZ Programmes

Dance & Arts Therapy New Zealand (DTNZ) offers clinical group and individual therapy programmes throughout New Zealand.

Each of our dance movement and art therapy programmes are facilitated by trained therapists using evidence-based techniques to maximise the benefit to the client.

To find out more about our dance movement and art therapy programmes, including the benefits, locations, and any costs involved, take a look at the information below or apply via our Client Referral form.

Our Locations

Our passionate team provides art and dance movement therapy in various locations. Our therapists are available in the following areas:

In addition, our ACC Sensitive Claims trauma therapists are available to help in Auckland, Wellington Central, Christchurch, Thames/Coromandel, Hamilton, Whakatāne, Kapati Coast, Nelson and Queenstown.

If you’d like to inquire about whether we offer creative arts therapy in a location not listed here, please contact us.

Our Programmes

We support people in all situations including those living with disabilities, mental illness, tamariki, and survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. We also develop bespoke programmes for schools and organisations. Click on the box below to learn more about each programme.

Supported by ACC Sensitive Claims

Community Outreach

Support our Cause

FAQs

    • If your think that the STARS or Arts 4 Us SPECIALITY programme is right for your child/teen:

    • Make an enquiry through the website or email clients@dancetherapy.co.nz or phone: 096363029

    • Our administrator will contact you to find out some basic information 

    • You will be emailed a referral form (or you can fill this out on our website) – this gives us more detailed information about your child/teen and their history. This helps the therapist during the assessment to understand your child/teens needs better.

    • If a group is potentially available your child/teen will be required to attend an assessment. This is 30-60 minutes long, with a creative arts therapist. The assessment is a chance for the therapist to understand your child’s needs, for your child to try out some new activities that are offered during the sessions and for you to ask any questions.

    • Following the assessment the Therapist will talk to you about:
      * the group that would be most appropriate for your child, or the need for your child to begin with individual or DYAD/TRIAD session

    • If a group is not currently available (eg. Sometimes we get enquiries for children/teens who are too young/old to join with a group we currently have), you will be offered an assessment for an individual therapy programme or you can ask to be placed on our waiting list (in case a group becomes available that meets your child’s needs). We try and stay in touch with carers/parents on the waiting list on a termly basis.

    • Prior to joining a group you will be asked to complete a consent form.

    • If you think that the Arts 4 Us drop in or Dance for Us is right for you or your child/teen: 

    • Make an enquiry through the website or email clients@dancetherapy.co.nz or phone: 096363029.

    • We can answer your questions and let the therapist know you are likely to attend.

    • Simply ‘drop in’ on the correct day/time – see programme calendar for these.

  • Our current programme costs are as follows:

    • Dance 4 Us (adult drop in classes) – gold coin koha or online donation

    • Arts 4 Us general (for school aged children living in the community of programme) – free

    • STARS $225 (incl gst)/term (8 weeks)

    • Arts 4 Us specialty $225 (incl gst)/term (8 weeks)

  • Carer Support: 
    If you receive carer support you can designate the cost of an hour of this to the dance/arts therapy session.  Bring your form along for the therapist to sign.  You claim this money directly.

    Individual funding: 
    If your child/teen has been Needs Assessed and has Home and Community Support Services or a Respite allocation you may wish to discuss with your assessor Individual Funding.  This allows you to decide who/how this funding is spent.  You can use part of the funding towards the cost of therapy/a programme.  This option can be discussed with Taikura Trust.

    Contact us at clients@dancetherapy.co.nz to learn how you can use your Individualised Funding and Carer Support/I Choose with DTNZ

    Disability Allowance subsidised counselling
    If you are receiving the disability allowance through WINZ (Work and Income New Zealand) you may be eligible for subsidised counselling.  If you are not currently receiving to check if you meet their income criteria click here

    Assistance is provided for counselling if the need for counselling is directly related to a person’s disability.  You, your doctor and your therapist (who must be a member of the New Zealand Arts Therapy Association - ANZACATA) will need to fill out the Disability Certificate - Counselling (download the form here).

    From time to time we become aware of possible avenues to assist with therapy costs.  We will endeavour to keep you informed of these.  Click on   possible funding sources to aid parents 

    Links:  (click) 
    Taikura Trust

    Jubilee Trust

    Variety Club

    Halberg Trust Activity Fund Grant

    Wilson Home Trust Equipment and Activity Grant

    Cerebral Palsy Society

    Extraordinary Care Fund

  • We are lucky enough to have therapists who speak a range of languages (eg. Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, English).  If you need help with initial communication let us know.

  • Yes!

  • Yes!

  • My kids have become more creative at home and happier to do art. They love to create without boundaries which they can do here.

    Parent, Art 4 U Specialty

  • Our school dance movement therapy sessions have helped bring out the children's joy and enthusiasm for creatively expressing themselves through movement.

  • After a whole term of weekly classes, children that were at first very shy, have come out of their shell with more confidence to lead and express their movement ideas.

  • I am super thrilled that my child has been chosen to be involved with the DTNZ programme. She was lit up when describing her experience.

    Parent, Wainui School