The Norwegian dance therapy association was founded in 2012. NODAK (Norsk forening for Danseterapi og Kreative kroppsuttrykk) is a member of the Norwegian Association of Psychotherapy NFP, an umbrella organization for different therapy modalities including creative arts therapies. NFP is also a member of the European Association of Psychotherapy, EAP.

For many years we worked to establish a dance therapy association in Norway. Gunvor Basberg, the first Norwegian to become a dance therapist, graduated from Hunter College in New York in 1980. Gunvor was so lucky to work with Marian Chace at St Elisabeth Hospital in the 60s. As the pioneer she did a lot for the dance therapy field in Norway. Together with her we were in the process of planning a dance therapy association and education. Sadly she died before we were able to finish the work with her. However, her vision became real in 2012.

Today there are 13 full members holding a masters degree in DMT from USA; England, Spain and Poland. We have 30 associated members.

One of our main goals was to have a dance therapy education in Norway. In 2018 we were able to open the first, state supported continuing education in dance movement therapy, at the University of South-Eastern Norway, USN. Since then we have had a 30 credit one year program on a master’s level. Over the past 3 years about 50 students have participated in this program.

We continue to promote dance movement therapy in Norway through different channels and by arranging workshops for members and other people who want to learn more about DMT.

We also want to keep contact with the international DMT milieu, and one very important step for us, has been to become an associated member of EADMT. We were elected member on the 3rd of October 2020.