ADTA Conference | The Roots & Future of Child Dance/Movement Therapy 21th Early Childhood Forum: Renewing and Growing Internationally (Chicago, IL)
The Roots & Future of Child Dance/Movement Therapy 21th Early Childhood Forum: Renewing and Growing Internationally
Date & Time:
Sunday, October 27, 2024
8:30 AM- 11:30 AM
Location:
Palmer House Hotel
17 Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
USA
Course Description:
In its 21th year, this forum explores DMT with children and families. It is the 5th year concentrating on tracing the international roots and evolution of DMT with this demographic. Aligning with the conference theme, the panel presents their adaptation, integration, renewal and innovation, inspired by an international DMT post-graduate training, developed by an early innovator in the field. Through discussion, case studies and experientials, participants explore how DMT in eastern European countries, South America, and the USA are advancing the field of DMT for children with learning differences, ADHD, neurodiversity and in a pediatric palliative care residential setting. (26-50% Movement; All Levels)
Learning Objectives
TBA
About the Instructors
Dr. Suzi Tortora, Ed.D, LCAT, BC-DMT, CMA, NCC, LMHC has a private practice in Cold Spring, NY and NYC, specializing in parentinfant/child/ family therapy; trauma; medical illness; International Medical Creative Arts Spokesperson for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation; 2003 created and currently senior DMT for pediatric patients at Integrative Medicine Service, MSKCC, NYC; received 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished DMT award; holds faculty positions nationally and internationally; offers an International Webinar Training Program; published author: The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative Power of Movement with Young Children used extensively in DMT training; and Keren & Tortora-Dance/Movement Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Medical Illness: Treating Somatic and Psychic Distress (2023).
Ashley Ervin, LCAT, BC-DMT
Carolina Mateos, BA, Dance/Movement Therapist Advanced Registry Argentina, Educational Psychologist
Sorina Petrescu, Master Political Science/ DMT Romania
Registration:
https://www.adta.org/annual-conference
ADTA Conference | Embodied Harmony: Nurturing Ethics in the Dance/Movement Therapy Community through Our Multiple Ways of Knowing (Plenary) (Chicago, IL)
Embodied Harmony: Nurturing Ethics in the Dance/Movement Therapy Community through Our Multiple Ways of Knowing (Plenary)
Date & Time:
Saturday, October 26, 2024
10:15 AM- 12:15 PM
Location:
Palmer House Hotel
17 Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
USA
Course Description:
The Standards & Ethics Committee acknowledges that we are struggling as a community with our sense of connectedness and need to become more unified as an organization. The goal of this plenary is to move towards harmony within ourselves and then within the community; the Committee invites participants to attune through diverse embodied conversations and have dialogue among themselves. This shared experience is the first step towards mutual understanding. The Committee aims to co-create an inclusive space to reckon with how diving into unconscious processes can lead to greater ethical awareness. We will invite integrated knowledge from different inner perspectives (i.e., gut-brain, heart-brain) and explore the Embodied Ethical Decision-Making Model through experientials. (26-50% Movement; All Levels)
Learning Objectives
TBA
About the Instructors
Jenn Whitley, M.S., BC-DMT, LCAT, CMA Jenn provides dance/movement therapy for children, parents, and adults at Dancing Dialogue. She specializes in providing DMT for individuals who have ADHD, anxiety, experienced family separation, eating disorders, learning differences, autism spectrum disorder, medical illness, issues with disruptive behavior, Bipolar Disorder, Parkinson's Disease, trauma, and provides parenting support and grief counseling. Jenn is a board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist (DMT) and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist who received her master’s degree, with honors, in Dance Therapy at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She is trained through the Ways of Seeing program at Dancing Dialogue, Certified as a Laban Movement Analyst from the Laban Institute of Movement Studies, is trained in EMDR therapy, and completed training in the discipline of Authentic Movement at The New York Center for the Study of Authentic Movement with Joan Wittig. Jenn is also a Reiki Practitioner (Level II) and trained in Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) through MSKCC. She has been a DMT at Dancing Dialogue since 2014 working with children, families, and adults incorporating all aspects her training into the Ways of Seeing psychotherapeutic multi-arts approach. She is certified provider of TeleMental Healthcare from the Telehealth Certification Institute.
Douglas Cornman, MA, BC-DMT
Meg Chang, EdD, BC-DMT, LCAT, NBCC
Lauren Milburn, LMHC, BC-DMT
XaHara MeGod MA, R-DMT, G-RMT, CPT
Registration:
https://www.adta.org/annual-conference
NDEO Conference | Somatic Movement in Dance Education: Enhancing Health and Creativity for Teachers & Students (New York City)
Alligning Somatic Therapies and Dance Education
Saturday, July 20, 2024
5:15- 6:15 PM
Location:
Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center
53A Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007
Course Description:
TBD.
About the Instructors
Suzi Tortora, EdD, BC-DMT, CMA, LCAT, LMHC has a full-time private practice in Cold Spring, New York and NYC, specializing in parent- infant/child and family therapy; trauma; medical illness; and adult chronic pain. She is the International Medical Creative Arts Spokesperson for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation, having created and continuing to be the senior dance/movement therapist for pediatric patients at Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NYC, since 2003. She received the 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished Dance Therapist award from the ADTA. She teaches in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Israel and Asia; holds faculty positions in the USA, The Netherlands, Chech Republic, Argentina and China; offers the Ways of Seeing International Webinar Training Program for dance/movement therapists and allied professionals; has published numerous papers about her work; and her book, The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative power of movement with young children is used extensively in dance/movement therapy training programs internationally.
Sandi Stratton-Gonzalez, MA is Manager of the Arnhold Support Program for Dance Educators, offering mentorship, professional learning, and other resources to NYC Public School’s dance educators. Sandi teaches Dance for Children with Disabilities for the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), is a founding member of the NDEO Dance and Disabilities Advisory Committee and writes curriculum for the P-12 dance classroom for the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL). For over 20 years (1999-2019), Sandi was the Dance Specialist at The Children’s School (PS 372) in Brooklyn, the first fully inclusive public school in the United States. There, she developed a sequential PK -5 curriculum, chaired the Arts Committee, and administered the school’s extensive enrichment programs. Sandi is co-author (with C. Gallant and D. Duggan) of Dance Education for Diverse Learners: A Special Education Supplement to the Dance Blueprint and has been published in Dance: Current Selected Research Volume 7 and Dance Education in Practice. Sandi taught Dance in Elementary Education at Hofstra University (2008-2018) and has mentored countless educators as a Cooperating Teacher for Hofstra and New York University. Prior to working in dance education Sandi was the founding Artistic Director and a Resident Choreographer of Soundance Repertory Company (SRC), 1984 – 1999.
Registration:
Profectum | Break-Out: Integrating Information from the Speech Language Pathologist Into My Work as an Occupational Therapist, Mental Health Practitioner, Educator or Creative Arts Therapist (Online)
How to Integrate Information From the Speech Language Pathologist Into My Work as an Occupational Therapist, Mental Health Practitioner, or Educator or Creative Arts Therapist Break Out Session
Sunday, April 14, 2024
2:10- 3:00 PM
Location:
Online. Zoom link provided to those who register.
Course Description:
Speech Language Pathologists serve an important function when collaborating with professionals from all disciplines. In this breakout session, educators and clinicians will share their experiences and discuss how an understanding of each child’s language challenges can help support their discipline’s work. Participants will be invited to engage in an open dialogue and gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between speech-language therapy and intervention goals in educational and clinical settings.
As a result of this presentation, participants will be able to:
Explain ways that a Speech Language Pathologist can support development across disciplines.
Identify ways that a Speech Language Pathologist can contribute to professionals in other disciplines to understand a child’s regulation/learning abilities.
Identify ways that a Speech Language Pathologist can support professionals in other disciplines to create meaningful treatment activities through a richer understanding of the child's developmental language profile.
About the Instructors
Suzi Tortora, EdD, BC-DMT, CMA, LCAT, LMHC has a full-time private practice in Cold Spring, New York and NYC, specializing in parent- infant/child and family therapy; trauma; medical illness; and adult chronic pain. She is the International Medical Creative Arts Spokesperson for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation, having created and continuing to be the senior dance/movement therapist for pediatric patients at Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NYC, since 2003. She received the 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished Dance Therapist award from the ADTA. She teaches in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Israel and Asia; holds faculty positions in the USA, The Netherlands, Chech Republic, Argentina and China; offers the Ways of Seeing International Webinar Training Program for dance/movement therapists and allied professionals; has published numerous papers about her work; and her book, The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative power of movement with young children is used extensively in dance/movement therapy training programs internationally.
Beth Osten, Occupational Therapist
Dr. Michelle Havens, Educator
Diane Selinger, Mental Health Practitoner
Registration:
92nd Street Y | Dance/Movement Psychotherapy with Infants and Children (New York City)
Dance/Movement Psychotherapy with Infants and Children
Friday, April 5; Saturday, April 6; Sunday, April 7, 2024
6:30- 9:30 PM (Friday); 3- 7 PM (Saturday); 9AM- 6PM (Sunday)
Location:
Harkness Dance Center at the 92Y
Gilda and Henry Block School of the Arts
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York NY 10128
Course Description:
Sensitize yourself to the ways young children learn and express themselves through their movement and senses.
Explore nonverbal cues and movement activities that support early attachment relationships and social, emotional, and cognitive development. These activities are used with families or groups and in dyadic and individual therapeutic, hospital, preventative and childcare settings.
About the Instructor
Suzi Tortora, EdD, BC-DMT, CMA, LCAT, LMHC has a full-time private practice in Cold Spring, New York and NYC, specializing in parent- infant/child and family therapy; trauma; medical illness; and adult chronic pain. She is the International Medical Creative Arts Spokesperson for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation, having created and continuing to be the senior dance/movement therapist for pediatric patients at Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NYC, since 2003. She received the 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished Dance Therapist award from the ADTA. She teaches in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Israel and Asia; holds faculty positions in the USA, The Netherlands, Chech Republic, Argentina and China; offers the Ways of Seeing International Webinar Training Program for dance/movement therapists and allied professionals; has published numerous papers about her work; and her book, The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative power of movement with young children is used extensively in dance/movement therapy training programs internationally.
Registration:
ADTA Virtual Summit | Inter- & Intra-disciplinary care in a Pediatric Integrative Medicine Medical Setting: Combining Knowledge to Best Support Children, Adolescents, Young Adults… (Online)
Inter- and Intra-disciplinary care in a Pediatric Integrative Medicine Medical Setting: Combining Knowledge to Best Support Children, Adolescents, Young Adults and their Families
Date & Time:
Saturday, March 23, 2024
2:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Location:
Virtual lecture. Zoom link will be provided after registration.
Course Description:
This presentation exemplifies how a robust integrative medicine team is part of standardized care, providing vital support for children, adolescents and young adults, and their families in a pediatric oncology hospital. Using case study material and evidence-informed research, this panel presents the variety of ways a multidisciplinary team of creative arts therapies (dance and music), mindbody therapies (yoga, martial arts) and touch therapies (Reiki, massage) work collaboratively. This team approach is essential to meet the needs of the whole patient, incorporating all aspects of the individual’s experience by addressing the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of pediatric patients, their families and caregivers along their cancer journey. These modalities give oncology patients and their caregivers tools to help with reducing stress, create life balance, improve quality of life, help them face their fears, and cope with pain, both physically and psychically. The strengths, challenges and administrative organization necessary to successfully integrate services are highlighted. Creative arts therapies are a psychotherapeutic modality that utilizes arts-based methods. In a pediatric medical setting these therapies facilitate children, who inherently don’t have the tools to verbalize their experiences, to express emotions and thoughts that are felt but are difficult to share through words. This is an especially salient need due to the vast and complex concerns a pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment creates. Caregiver involvement is often an important aspect of these therapies, fostering a unique bonding experience unlike other services in the medical setting. Mind-body and touch therapies are a group of healing techniques that focus on strengthening the mind-body connection and improving overall health. These therapists incorporate breathwork, various movement forms and practices, meditation, Reiki, massage, and guided imagery to strengthen and coordinate a person’s mind, body, and spirit. This presentation combines lectures, experiential activities, and audience involvement, featuring the hospital's current research.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how professionals working in a variety of disciplines both uniquely support the patient and family members, and work together as an integrated team.
2. Learn core elements of medical creative arts, mind-body and touch therapies for pediatric oncology patients and their families.
3. Learn the administrative organizational structure needed to implement collaboration among the integrative medicine multi-disciplinary team within the structure of standard interdisciplinary medical care.
CONTINUING EDUCATION 2.0 ADTA CE; 2.0 NBCC CE; 2.0 NY LCAT
About the Instructors
Dr. Suzi Tortora, Ed.D, LCAT, BC-DMT, CMA, NCC, LMHC has a private practice in Cold Spring, NY and NYC, specializing in parentinfant/child/ family therapy; trauma; medical illness; International Medical Creative Arts Spokesperson for the Andréa Rizzo Foundation; 2003 created and currently senior DMT for pediatric patients at Integrative Medicine Service, MSKCC, NYC; received 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished DMT award; holds faculty positions nationally and internationally; offers an International Webinar Training Program; published author: The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative Power of Movement with Young Children used extensively in DMT training; and Keren & Tortora-Dance/Movement Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Medical Illness: Treating Somatic and Psychic Distress (2023).
Jennifer Whitley, MS, BC-DMT, LCAT, CMA is a board-certified DMT and LCAT in NY, graduating from Pratt Institute in 2012. She is trained in: Ways of Seeing, Level II Reiki, LMA from LIMS, and authentic movement. Jenn works at MSKCC in NYC with a focus on medical DMT in pediatric oncology (MSK Kids), offers dance wellness classes, and leads workshops for adult patients through Integrative Medicine. She provides dance therapy in the school setting and works in private practice at Dancing Dialogue using Suzi Tortora’s Ways of Seeing approach. Jenn is on the Board of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation and the ADTA Standards and Ethics Committee.
Malik Cadwell, BA Grandmaster of Martial Arts, Mind/Body Therapist, MSKCC, Integrative Medicine, MSK Kids, AYA will present on the use of various Martial Arts, such as Karate, Aikido, Tai Chi, and the complementary practice of Qigong, to support oncology patients of all ages and their caregivers. He will provide an experiential to help demystify the practices and terminology of Qigong, Tai Chi, and Martial Arts.
Karen Popkin, MA, MT-BC, LCAT is a music therapist. As part of the Integrative Medicine Service, music therapy is available to hospitalized patients of all ages for management of symptoms such as anxiety, pain, depressed mood and low motivation. After a patient is referred for music therapy, I come to the bedside to assess, treat and evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Patients are seen 1-2 times per week.
Clare Patterson, E-RYT 500 is a Yoga Instructor Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and yoga4cancer senior teacher.
Registration:
https://www.adta.org/spring-virtual-summit
ADTA Virtual Summit | Social Media, an Ethical Query (Online)
Social Media, an Ethical Query
Date & Time:
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
8:15 AM- 9:30 AM
Location:
Virtual lecture. Zoom link will be provided after registration.
Course Description:
In the last two decades, social media changed the way humans communicate with each other. This workshop seeks to explore how our community is developing ethical practices within social media to ensure the wellbeing of our clients and maintain adaptive relevance of our field within the digital space. Recently, members brought increased ethical awareness of social media use to the ADTA Standards and Ethics Committee. After close analysis of the Code of Ethics, the committee will share recommendations regarding best practices of social media use, highlighting personal versus professional use, advertising, and advocacy.
Learning Objectives
Facilitate conversation on the self-inquiry needed to navigate the ever-changing dynamics of social media as a dance/movement therapist.
2. Offer recommendations of best practices while engaging with social media platforms and create space for self-awareness about ethics and personal relationship to social media.
3. Introduce an ethical decision-making model for dance/movement therapists to follow when utilizing social media for business or personal use.
1.25 ADTA CE, 1.25 NBCC CE, 1.25 NYLCAT CE
About the Instructors
Jennifer Whitley, MS, BC-DMT, LCAT, CMA is a board-certified DMT and LCAT in NY, graduating from Pratt Institute in 2012. She is trained in: Ways of Seeing, Level II Reiki, LMA from LIMS, and authentic movement. Jenn works at MSKCC in NYC with a focus on medical DMT in pediatric oncology (MSK Kids), offers dance wellness classes, and leads workshops for adult patients through Integrative Medicine. She provides dance therapy in the school setting and works in private practice at Dancing Dialogue using Suzi Tortora’s Ways of Seeing approach. Jenn is on the Board of the Andréa Rizzo Foundation and the ADTA Standards and Ethics Committee.
Selena Coburn BC-DMT, LMHC, LCPC is a mental health and dance/movement therapist in Great Falls, Montana and an adjunct professor at Lesley University. She is a descendent of Blackfeet, Klamath, and Pitt River tribes. She earned her BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY. Selena's dance/movement therapy training includes the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, NY, and Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Selena is serving the ADTA as the Standards and Ethics Chair.
Meg Chang, EdD, BC-DMT, LCAT, NCC Visiting Faculty, Lesley University Expressive Therapy Department, Dance/Movement Therapy Program. Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher (MBSR), National Treasurer-American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) 2003-2007 and founding member of the Multicultural and Diversity Committee of the ADTA Board of Directors. Authored initial articles in the American Journal of Dance Therapy regarding racial and cultural identity; and dance therapy with the trauma of domestic violence. Certified Kinetic Awareness ™ Teacher and lifelong dancer.
Neha Christopher, MS, BC-DMT is a passionate artist and advocate for use of arts in wellness. As a dance therapist, Neha has worked in, USA, Nepal, India and Australia; she is currently pursuing her PhD in DMT and works as a DMT tutor at The University of Melbourne. Within the ADTA, Neha serves on the S&E committee and as a cochair of the AAPIDA affinity group. Internationally, Neha is a founding board member of The Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy and a registered professional with The Australian, New Zealand and Asia Creative Arts Therapies Association.
Douglas Cornman, MA, BC-DMT is the Director of Island Outreach for Maine Seacoast Mission in Northeast Harbor, Maine. His work with rural communities focuses primarily on emotional and spiritual healthcare, substance abuse, and coping with the challenges associated with living in isolated island communities. Douglas earned his dance therapy degree from Allegheny University (now Drexel University) and his undergraduate degree in Theater Performance from Messiah College in Grantham, PA. He is a former company member of Trapezius Ariel Dance, Philadelphia and The New Haven Ballet. He currently dances with Motion Collective, an improvisational dance company based on Mount Desert Island.
Pamela Faith Lerman, BC-DMT, LCAT, LMHC is a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Board Certified Dance/Movement therapist. She works from a trauma informed approach, integrating body/mind awareness and tools from Creative Arts Therapy tools with counseling. With her embodied perspective, she offers sessions to people of all ages, treating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, body image and self-esteem and other issues. She has been a clinician with Family and Personal Counseling since October 2021. Ms. Lerman was the Creative Arts therapist for the Department of Psychiatry at Ellis Medicine, from 1998-April 2021 in both inpatient and outpatient mental health, working with adults who struggle with mental health and/or addiction issues. In addition, Ms. Lerman led dance/ movement therapy (DMT) and creative arts (CAT) therapy groups for the Ellis Medicine Department of Psychiatry in the inpatient Adolescent Treatment center.
Hang Yin Candy Lo, MA, BC-DMT, RDT/BCT, CCLS is a BoardCertified Dance/Movement Therapist, a Registered Drama Therapist/Board Certified Trainer and a Certified Child Life Specialist. Currently the President of both Hong Kong Child Life Association and Hong Kong Dance Movement Therapy Association; Candy has been serving at the ADTA’s Standard and Ethics committee since 2017; co-leads the Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Affinity Group (AAIPDA) and is member of the BC-DMT Task Force.
Megz “XaHara” Roberts, MA, R-DMT, RMT, CPT is a entrepreneurial therapist who currently incorporates dance/movement therapy and Reiki energy techniques into their sacred sexuality and spiritual healing private practice. Megz built a power-sharing ethical decisionmaking model that is used to help therapeutic relationships, companies and communities navigate culturally embedded ethical dilemmas. Their model is currently published in the Journal of Dance Therapy. Megz embodies this ethical model in their own private practice and travels across states educating others on how to incorporate this model in their work.
Lauren Milburn, BC-DMT, LMHC, LCPC (she/they) completed her Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling Masters at Columbia College Chicago, and gained clinical experience supporting survivors of trauma and individuals living with conditions across the spectrum of mental health concerns. Their approach is grounded in relational/cultural theory, pleasure activism, harm reduction, and disability justice principles. In sessions, Lauren invites deep listening to the body’s innate wisdom, resourcing the nervous system’s resilience to generate self-compassion, untangle harmful internalized patterns, and embrace creative and contemplative meaning-making practices. It is Lauren’s hope that by engaging healing processes held within relational webs of care, we can build the capacity to transform social conditions into sanctuary spaces and promote life-affirming reciprocity.
Registration:
https://www.adta.org/spring-virtual-summit