Dance Movement Therapy at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA

The UCLA Child Life/Child Development Program launched "Dréa's Dream," the first pediatric Dance Therapy Program in Los Angeles in November 2008, providing dance/movement therapy for children with cancer and special needs.

Through generous support from the Andrea Rizzo Foundation, a Registered Dance Therapist (ADTR) engages medically fragile children in movement therapy, supporting physical development, anxiety reduction, and creative expression.

Through dance/movement therapy, emotions are accessed, and then released through expressive movement and a positive transformation takes place within the patient, facilitating the overall well being of the child. Small group and bedside sessions are scheduled to meet the child's physical and emotional needs.

The Andrea Rizzo Foundation has been funding Dance Movement Therapy Programs at hospitals across the United States, and clinical psychologist, Dr Lori Baudino, was integral in bringing the foundation to the west coast. This video shows the work that Dr Baudino has been doing at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA with children in the pediatric oncology division.

Learn more at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA www.uclahealth.org/mattel