The German Dance Therapy Association, named „Berufsverband der TanztherapeutInnen Deutschlands e.V.“ (BTD), was founded on 1995 in Germany, Frankfurt am Main.

Right from the beginning of the EADMT in 2007, the German BTD was one of the founding members and reached the Full Professional Membership. The EADMT was formed in accordance with the German law and it is based in Munich, Germany.

The Association serves to protect, represent and advance the interests of the profession of dance therapists by establishing and developing dance therapy as a health-preserving and health-promoting psychotherapeutic method. The BTD supports an open, respectful attitude towards all people irrespective of their different orientation and ethnicity, origin, culture, religion, or world views.
The Association’s tasks are:
– To promote the creation of a theoretical basis for dance therapy by developing research and teaching
– To implement measures to expand the availability of dance therapy
– To cooperate with national and foreign institutes, unions and associations in the area of dance therapy and other creative and body psychotherapy approaches
– To develop and monitor professional ethic guidelines
To protect and develop the dance therapy profession

In 2020 the Association counts 501 full members and it is further growing yearly. The Association includes the following members: Full Members (as defined by the BTD-Standards), Associate Members, Student Members, Circle of Friends and Honorary Members

Every year a General Assembly takes place with workshops, round table of discussions, update on professional policy and advocacy and a lecture on special topics. The BTD is also involved in research, conferences and is a working member in additional Body and Creative Therapy Associations in Germany.