Welcome

on the pages of the German Professional Organization For Dance Therapists, registered society (Berufsverband der TanztherapeutInnen Deutschlands e.V. - BTD). We're the only professional group of dance therapy in Germany. We protect the quality of the education and the establishment of dance therapy in health service. The BTD represents Germany as a member of the European Association Dance Movement Therapy EADMT.

In the following you will gain an insight into the structures of this professional group and get a general idea about its contents and goals.

You will get informations about dance therapy and find a register of accredited dance therapists in your area on page THERAPISTS. Accredited BTD educational institutes you will find on page INSTITUTES.

World Dance Day

On April 29, 2026, World Dance Day will be celebrated around the world.
Join in, get involved, and help make World Dance Day a success in your cities, organizations, and wherever you are.

You can use this choreography to organize a flash mob in your communities.

Here on YouTube, you’ll find the tutorial to learn the choreography:   
https://youtu.be/W0YHUhuisU0

Concept: Imke Fiedler, Choreography: Julie Kunsmann and Thea Ottersberg, Music: Tom Zinner (https://bsta.rs/XIcxB)

Make it!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

BTD Annual General Meeting 2026 Berlin

Establishing Dance Therapy. Shaping the Future

The Berlin Bear is a polar bear… The streets of Berlin were as slippery as ice as over 100 participants made their way, sliding along, to the Olympic Park in Charlottenburg. The BTD’s annual general meeting took place from February 6 to 8, 2026. “Anchoring Dance Therapy -- Shaping the Future” was the motto of the gathering, which brought together participants from all corners of the country. Once everyone had arrived safely, the meeting began with a variety of workshops showcasing the breadth of dance therapy practice: Bartenieff Fundamentals; Dancing Politics; Spirituality; Urban Dance – both established and innovative approaches were explored thematically.

The Berlin regional group welcomed the participants at the Meet & Greet with a Chorus Line-style performance and feather boas à la Friedrichstadtpalast. Everything was wonderfully and joyfully prepared, allowing the dance therapists to devote themselves entirely to networking and exchange. Saturday was opened by Professor Nicole Hartmann (MSH) with her lecture titled “Let’s Dance! Let’s Dance?” Here, the focus was on exploring dance and body-therapeutic elements in dance therapy. There were thought-provoking insights, and Nicole Hartmann raised the question of updating the professional title: dance therapy, dance and movement therapy, or dance and body therapy.

The BTD’s formal general meeting began on Saturday afternoon. After the board was discharged, two new board members were elected. First Chair Amanda Freiberg resigned from her position in absentia for personal reasons. The BTD expressed its heartfelt gratitude for her five years of volunteer service. Martina Maria Meshesha ran for re-election and was re-elected. Andrea Du Bois was elected to the Executive Board for the first time. Natascha Waßerfall and Cordula Dräger remain in office. The Executive Board, all committees, and working groups presented their activity reports for 2025. Over 40 active members keep the association running and engage in lively dialogue. The student members want to create a platform for exchange, and a poll made it clear that an age limit for recognition as a full member of the association is no longer appropriate.

A clear signal regarding professional policy positioning was sent with the desire and declaration of intent to establish a Professional Policy Working Group. Political lobbying aimed at establishing a professional law must be advanced, as must the development of guidelines in accordance with the AWMF classification (Working Group of Scientific Medical Societies). Active members will join forces for this purpose. A fox prowled around the conference venue, surely marveling at the lively party. The BTD would like to thank everyone involved for their lively and inspiring participation and hard work. The next General Meeting is expected to take place on 20–21 February 2027 near Wiesbaden. All members and interested parties are warmly welcome. Come and make a difference, in the spirit of Käthe Kollwitz:  
‘I want to make a difference in this era - Ich will wirken in dieser Zeit.’
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)