As a Clinical Social Worker and Dance/Movement Therapist, I have a keen knowledge how body and mind work together.
I first experienced this connection as a personal truth when I was an undergraduate. Attending a "constructive rest" workshop in a softly lit dance studio, I was led into a deep state of conscious relaxation. As I emerged, I experienced my body as a "clean slate." I observed how posture and tension changed in response to my thoughts and the environment. A universe of choice opened about how I could experience life.
I chose to major in Dance. I later performed and studied in New York City, training extensively at the Nikolais/Louis Foundation. This renowned school of dance pedagogy gave me improvisational skills I use to this day to bring successful dance/movement experiences to anyone and everyone – even the most hesitant among us who may never have sought out this form of experience on their own.
After several years of professional dance and choreography, a major injury changed my direction. My long recovery process was powerful training for understanding the body-mind-spirit connection. My journey then took me to exercise physiology, and then onto working extensively with grief and loss.
All my experiences come together in my work as a Clinical Social Worker. My post-graduate designation as a Dance/Movement Therapist has validated my work and enriched my life. I continue to help others use their innate creativity to face and overcome blocks to living a full and healthy life. I have the joy of working in many areas that are close to my heart, and the intellectual excitement of practicing psychotherapy during a time when current research is confirming the absolute necessity of including the body in healing.
In life, we all have a need to "figure things out." We also have the need to understand our experiences deep in our bones. To this day, dance pulls me into the present, lets me release the past – be it yesterday’s stress or much deeper hurts – and leaves me more open and ready for what lies ahead.
Learning your "Dance of Life" may not have anything to do with dancing. The journey of telling your story and finding your heart’s desire may come through an avenue of expression as unique as you are: speaking, writing, music, sports, theater, art.
I am privileged that my experience allows me to travel with others as they move through pain toward wholeness on their road to more fulfilling lives. I have had the joy of helping clients flourish in tremendously exciting and creative ways for more than fifteen years.
Experience/designations
- Specializing in expressive arts therapies, stress reduction, recovery, grief/transition issues, and somatic concerns, including depression
- Psychotherapist in private practice for more than 15 years
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Registered Dance/Movement Therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
- Adjunct faculty member, UT School of Social Work
- Originator: MindBodyFIT, a mind/body/spirit approach to wellness
- Artistic Director: New Art Kinnections, To the Dance and Creativity Circle, the teen outreach program sponsored by Kathy Dunn Hamrick (KDH) Dance Company
- Certified Exercise Specialist
Workshops/presentations
- The Dance Between Process and Performance, 2007 for Improvisation For Lasting Change, National Conference, University of Maine, School of Social Work
- The Ethics of Embodiment, 2006, 2007
- Claiming the Body keynote address, 2004 – 13th annual Texas School Social Work Conference
- The Physiology of Love, Society for Spirituality and Social Work, eighth Annual National Conference 2003
Honors/awards
- Designated First Annual Texas School Social Worker of the year in 2001, award for collaborative arts programming for adolescents, and recognized as making “Outstanding Accomplishments and Contributions to the Practice of School Social Work.”
- A Glimmer of Hope Foundation “New Art Kinnections” – community outreach grant for underserved youth ages 14-21
- Mid America Arts Alliance Grant, 2001
- International Attitudinal Healing Conference Contributions to School-based Bereavement Programs, 1996
- Nikolais-Louis Dance Foundation, New York, NY – Special Talent Scholarships, 1978-1982
- Indiana Arts Commission Inner-City Community Grant, 1976
Professional Affiliations
- ADTA – Member, American Dance Therapy Association
- NASW – Member, National Association of Social Workers
- KDH – Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Co., Teen Outreach Director, 2001-present
- TAP – Theater Action Project, Advisory Council, 2000-2004