Hi there, my name is Ella.

I’m a professionally registered dance movement therapist and love to work with people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and identities. It is a privilege and an honour to work with people in all kinds of creative and kinaesthetic ways. Bodies are ever changing and continually evolving… and the relationships we form with ourselves - and our bodies - can help support us in everyday life. Findings ways of more happily inhabiting our bodies can be a rich and meaningful journey.

For myself, dancing, movement, meditation, and yoga have been sources of joy, connection, challenge, growth, stability, and awe. I love to share some of these practices in modified ways, tailored to suit individuals and groups and focused around what is important to each person. I use dance movement therapy methods and practices to assist with a range of therapeutic goals and wellbeing desires. The possibilities are endless.

My research and therapeutic practice is informed by collaborative principles. I also draw on strengths-based and trauma-sensitive frameworks.

In 2020, I completed my PhD in dance movement therapy at the Faculty Fine Arts & Music, University of Melbourne. My research focused on collaborative approaches to dance therapy within the Victorian criminal justice system, and following this, I have worked with participants in a forensic mental health setting. I am an academic and a practitioner and enjoy developing novel ways of using dance therapy in various contexts.

It is an honour to lead the dance therapy stream of the Master of Creative Arts Therapies program at the University of Melbourne, where I teach and research.

Some of my current work & interests include:

·      Mental health

·      Trauma-informed services

·      Community connection and wellbeing programs

·      Criminology (particularly post-release and forensic mental health)

·      Drug and alcohol recovery

My practice experience spans aged care, adult disability, and mental health, and forensic care.

You can find out more about my dance movement therapy (DMT) services by visiting the MovementMeds page.

I hold active registrations with the Dance Movement Therapy Association of Australasia (DTAA) and the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA).