This is the third in our four week series of Art for Health, for Life. This week we are exploring Dance/Movement Therapy.
Hello! Please introduce yourself.
My name is Brigitta White, MS, R-DMT and I have a masters in dance/movement therapy from The Pratt Institute in New York City; I am a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA).
I am a bicultural American as my family is from Latin America and I grew up in a bilingual and bicultural house hold in Sterling, Virginia speaking Spanish.
Most notably my Nicaraguan grandmother lived with us and I was able to eat traditional foods and sit on the couch with her listening to so many stories every day. I’ve danced my whole life.
As a professional dance/movement therapist, my clinical experience has been with pediatric oncology and hematology, other pediatric illnesses, child, adult and geriatric in-patient psychiatry, individuals with intellectual and developmental delays and with infants.
What interested you about dance/movement therapy?
Having studied dance in college, I knew the intrinsic value of dance/movement and I appreciate all it can offer. When I first learned about the dance/movement therapy profession I felt a “click” where I knew my soul had found its calling. The combination of the art of dance and human relationships, psychology and helping others drew me to the field. I can say that going through my graduate program in dance/movement therapy changed my life for the better forever.
How does someone become a dance/movement therapist?
If you are interested in becoming a dance/movement therapist your first visit should be to the American Dance Therapy Association’s website. There is detailed information for any and all of your questions. You would look for one of their accredited graduate programs to make your decision. You’ll want to make sure you have the prerequisites listed which include but is not limited to basic psychology courses, anatomy and kinesiology, mind-body practices and experiences with special populations. But don’t quote me on that limited list because that is just coming from memory from over nine years ago! Your best bet is to visit ADTA.
I always find that people interested in becoming dance/movement therapists mostly have an intuitive knowing that their life paths are aligning to serve others through the field of dance/movement therapy.
Tell us a little more about yourself and your work.
I started Whole Me Programs, LLC after working at a children’s hospital and after my certification in children’s yoga. I wanted to bring this work out to the community and make it accessible and known. I now hold certification in prenatal yoga for conscious birthing.
I support social and emotional health through mindful physical activity. You can learn more about my work at Whole Me Programs and on my Facebook page. You can learn more about the dance/movement therapy profession at ADTA and through their Twitter handle @ADTAorg.
