Dawn Penney, B.C.-D.M.T., L.P.C., R.Y.T.
Dance Movement Therapist
Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Yoga Teacher
Our bodies hold the emotions, memories, joys and frustrations of our past and our present. Reconnecting, or relearning to healthfully connect to our bodies, builds the possibility to integrate split off emotions, experiences, or behavior patterns. We then begin to restore our health and well being. We begin to live healthfully and authentically. Dance Movement Therapy is unique in using movement and nonverbal body language for assessment and intervention to create change. The foundational theory being, a change in one creates a change in the other as the mind and body are intrinsically linked. In addition to being a Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. My practice includes engaging clients in processing their feelings, relationships, behaviors, and stored emotions in both nonverbal and verbal ways.
Sessions may further include Mindfulness techniques, breath and body awareness, movement exploration, Creative Arts Therapies, challenge of negative narratives and core beliefs, exploration of lifestyle and Wheel of Wellness, Empowerment approaches, Strengths based, and Existential theory, I love to learn and grow and currently am continuing my understanding and eventual certification of IFS (Internal Family Systems) approach. My person centered approach focuses on creating a strong partnership and uncovering the best modality for each client.
During my 20 year experience as a therapist I have worked clinically in hospitals, clinics, early intervention settings, residential care, wellness/prevention and private practice. My areas of experience include individuals struggling with Anxiety, Panic, Depression, Eating Disorders, Negative Body Image, New Parenthood, Women's Issues, LGBTQIA ally, Trauma, Chronic Pain and Illness, and Life Transitions and Adjustments. In addition to my years of clinical work, I have years experience teaching at University level, being a DMT supervisor, and often lecture on Movement Assessment, Mind Body Connection, as well as, teach both Yoga and Mindfulness for Coping and Wellness Groups here at the Village and in the community.
"Allow the fires of transformation to burn away all that doesn't serve you"-