CAIT

Laurel Bridges

Laurel Bridges, MA, ADTR
Dance/Movement Therapy Ltd.
Calgary, Alberta
Telephone: 403-249-0434
Fax: 403-249-0498
E-mail: lajabr@hotmail.com

Laurel has a Master of Arts degree in dance/movement therapy with a concentration in counseling psychology. As a registered dance therapist (ADTR), she is qualified by the professional association for dance/movement therapists to teach and provide therapy in private practice. Since 1989, she has been practicing dance/movement therapist working with seniors, adults and children. Laurel began her private practice, in Calgary in 1997.

What is Dance/Movement Therapy?

Movement is central to all human activity and is one of the ways in which we express our feelings. How we move affects our attitude and our emotions. Expressive movement can help us feel connected to ourselves and to others.

Dance can

express and release feelings
communicate beyond words
express both the painful and uplifting aspects of life
create or celebrate community

Dance/Movement Therapy is one of the creative art therapies, and like art therapy, music therapy and drama therapy, it is a psychological therapy which uses a creative and expressive art, in this case dance and movement, to address emotional issues and increase self awareness and health.

A Dance/Movement Therapist is trained in psychology and in movement as communication and emotional expression. As she adapts the movement experiences to the client's needs, she focuses on movement, verbal and non-verbal communication, breath, rhythm, gesture and posture.

Dance/Movement Therapy can be of benefit to adults, adolescents, children and older adults with a wide range of physical or emotional issues. No dance experience is necessary.

What Happens in Dance/Movement Therapy?

movement experiences and verbal discussion
body awareness and breathing exercises
exercises to increase awareness and freedom of movement
spontaneous movement
exploration of memories
active imagination and dramatic movement
use of the other expressive arts to complement the movement

How Can Dance/Movement Therapy Help You?

enable you to discover and experience new aspects of yourself
improve communication skills
enhance self esteem
become aware of how you move and how your thoughts and feelings have influenced your mind and body
reduce stress through relaxation, body awareness and release of emotion in movement
increase connection with and understanding of others through shared movement experiences
improve posture and mobility

Workshops, groups and individual sessions, or program consultation are available. Current fee schedule is available upon request.