HOW DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY WORKS

Through the use of movement, even if it's very small or limited, emotions are released and expressed.

These movements and feelings are then acknowledged by the DMT therapist, who will create a safe environment in order for the clients to feel secure, understood and accepted when moving and expressing themselves.

The DMT therapist often uses a technique called mirroring. Mirroring is a tool used for engaging with the clients in such a manner that they feel encouraged in their dance movements. Through this we can explore more expressive movements, accessing deeper and more effective outcomes.

DMT also promotes socialisation, relaxation, and self control It builds confidence and reduces anxiety, and accesses emotions that may be unreachable by words.

The duration of a DMT session is approximately 60 minutes, and it is structured according to clients' needs and levels of functioning.  This may sometimes involve one-to-one relationships or, more usually, group work. Music, props, instruments and materials are also used to motivate self-expression.

Dancing and moving in a group creates a sense of belonging, acceptance and understanding for individuals, and the togetherness and fun they experience are healing properties in themselves. 

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                                       WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY?

DMT is safe and suitable for anyone. Children, the elderly, families and adult individuals can all benefit from it. It's been widely used in psychiatry and for those who find it difficult to cope with emotional problems, conflict and other forms of distress.

At schools DMT has been used with children who struggle with concentration, aloofness or any other behaviour preventing them learning and forming meaningful relationships.

​DMT is used in Day Centres, residential care homes for the elderly and settings for people with mental health issues or in any venue where dance movement is required. It benefits people with special needs such as learning disabilities, complex needs and autism, since verbal communication is not a priority and only music/movement is used. Throughout my experience I found that everyone enjoys dancing and it's benefits. 

My Background

My name is Leila. I am Brazilian by birth and have been living in the UK since 1991.  In Brazil I worked as a teacher in a primary school for five years. Parallel to this work I ran dance groups for children with behaviour problems  and those experiencing social deprivation.

I hold a Bsc in Pedagogy in Education awarded in Brazil in 1989, along with a certificate in counselling skills, personal development and group work awarded by London City University in 1994. I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Dance Movement Psychotherapy. 

During the DMT training program I worked with children with learning disabilities and autism in a special school in Hackney, London. I also ran sessions in a Mental Health Setting with adults with autism in Hastings, East Sussex.

At the moment I run DMT sessions at Day Centres, Day Services, Community Halls and at a school setting. I am in the process of becoming an embodied complex trauma(CPTSD) therapist.  I am registered with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapists (ADMP UK) and I love my work. 

At moment I am offering movement group sessions for the well being in the community, where I offer a safe and creative ways for you to explore and express what motivates you to come to dance and move.​ 

​ In our bodies, after all, live all our stories, all our feelings, all our experiences of a lifetime. It is sometimes not enough to speak about problems. Listening to our bodies, maybe letting them move, can be a way to come closer to feelings, enabling us to bring them ‘into the light’. And so often, by listening to our bodies, we can actually find the healing we need, by experiencing all parts of ourselves as a whole, by re-discovering the ‘knowing in our bones’.
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My aim is to help you to find safety within your on body, to become friend with your body and movements; aiming to unlock your potential, and in addition to work towards improving your self-awareness and understanding. 

I will support you to feel comfortable. I will listen to you and witness your movements and have no expectations. We will work together at your pace. You are welcome to talk, draw or move. I am flexible in my practice, aiming to meet your needs and the needs of the group.

I will share the location of the venue when you are ready to make contact and choose to participate in the dance/movement sessions.  Thank you!

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If you would like more information or book a session!

email

[email protected]

phone

0750 721 0036