In 2005 I received my Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in dance from Knox College. While at Knox, I conducted research to study the effects of dance/movement therapy based interventions on the self-esteem and body image of adult women who had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse.
In 2006 I attended Drexel University where I received a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies. During my graduate program I conducted a literature-based study which reviewed the theoretical, practical, and research literature concerning the effects of sexual abuse on children and subsequent treatment. The literature review focused on psychotherapy literature that addresses sexual abuse trauma specifically and trauma in general. The outcome of this study was the creation of a comprehensive DMT clinical model for therapy with school aged children, approximately 6-11 years old, who are victims of sexual abuse.
After graduating, I went on to use dance/movement therapy (DMT) in a variety of environments with children, adolescents, and adults in order to obtain my license in professional counseling (LPC) and my board certification in DMT. For the past two years I have been a dance/movement therapist at a non-profit organization which is an alternative school and an outpatient clinic. I work with children from ages 3 through 18 as well as adults.
I have experience working with children and families, adolescents, and adults in a variety of nonprofit agencies, inpatient hospitals, residential treatment centers, community centers, and schools.
I specialize in using DMT and other creative and expressive modalities as well as mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients process their life experiences. I have extensive training working with children who are on the Autism Spectrum or have experienced trauma due to abuse or being placed outside of their home.