WHEAT Institute Home
Register Now
Two people dancing with fabric outside

Now Launching: Canada’s First 1-Year Dance/Movement Therapy Certificate (Sept 2026)

Lara MacPherson | July 19, 2026
  • First of its Kind: A 1-year, 200-hour Canadian Certificate in Dance/Movement Therapy, taught by leaders in the field.
  • Flexible Delivery: Instruction is mostly through remote learning, along with a 4-day in-person intensive on the Canadian Prairies (location dependent on registration).
  • Where It Leads: Provides a foundation from which to apply a practical skill set in clinical or community settings or move on to additional training towards becoming a Dance/Movement Therapist.
  • Specialized Applications: Courses specialize in working with older adult populations, including those living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and family caregivers.

Have you been waiting for dance therapy training in Canada? WHEAT Institute is excited to launch the first 1-year, 200-hour, Canadian Certificate in Dance/Movement Therapy, taught by leaders in the field. Presently, training opportunities in Canada are limited. This new Certificate program provides a foundation from which to apply a practical skill set in clinical or community settings or move on to additional training towards becoming a Dance/Movement Therapist.

This innovative, professional development program offers individuals the opportunity to learn foundational dance therapy theory and introductory movement analysis. Students will develop skill sets to facilitate expressive, therapeutic group dance sessions, which promote health, build community, and nurture creativity with older adult populations. Includes courses specializing in work with older adults living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as well as a course for family caregivers.

The 200-hours of instruction will be mostly through remote learning, along with a 4-day in-person intensive on the Canadian Prairies, with the exact location dependent on registration. Instructors will combine their knowledge with embodied experiences, collaborative discussion, and intermodal exploration across the creative arts therapies, bridging movement work alongside foundational principles in multimedia collage, video, and photography. Skills can be applied in settings such as long-term care, community recreation settings, and day programs.

Applications are invited from therapists, facilitators working in health care and recreation, and dance artists wishing to apply their movement skills in health-promotion. Please reach out for a conversation on the offering. WHEAT Institute looks forward to sharing the power of movement in caring.

  • Question: Who is this certificate program designed for?
  • Answer: It attracts therapists, facilitators working in health care and recreation, and dance artists wishing to apply their movement skills in health-promotion.
  • Question: Where can these skills be applied?
  • Answer: Skills can be applied in settings such as long-term care, community recreation settings, and day programs.
  • Question: How does this certificate connect to formal clinical registration?
  • Answer: While this certificate offers professional development for community and clinical settings, it provides an excellent foundational stepping stone for those intending to pursue future master-level diploma training required by Canadian regulatory bodies like the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), as well as related professional associations including the Dance Movement Therapy Association of Canada (DMTAC), the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), the Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association (OEATA).

Registration is now open for the September 2026 cohort! To learn more or book a free consultation with WHEAT Director Darci Adam, email info@wheatinstitute.com.

Written by Student Experience Coordinator Lara MacPherson, RP (Qualifying), ExAT, DWHEAT, BFA. Lara is a WHEAT Dual Diploma alum with a background in film and psychology, specializing in the neurodivergent and disability communities within private practice. Alongside this clinical focus, their administrative role at WHEAT focuses on collaborating with leadership to support institute operations, nurturing student success for diverse learners, and helping to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for the field of creative arts therapies.

Find everything you need to get started below: