Moving Through It: How Dance Became a Path to Healing, Connection & Confidence with Dance Movement Therapist Jen Murrell.
- admin91478
- May 2
- 7 min read
At The Base Health, we’re always exploring new ways to support emotional and physical wellbeing in a way that honours the whole person. For one of our passionate clinicians, Dance Movement Therapy isn’t just a modality—it’s a language of connection, healing, and self-expression. With a background in personal training and a lifelong relationship with movement, Jen shares how dance transformed from a personal wellbeing tool into a powerful therapeutic practice. In this conversation, Jen reflects on her journey, the power of movement to meet people where they are, and why sometimes the smallest gesture—like a stretch or a sway—can open up the biggest shift.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Dance Movement Therapy, and how did your journey begin?
I have always used dance for my own wellbeing. Through dance I have learned how things are connected, how moving one thing affects others, organisation and confidence. I always came out of a dance class (as a student or teacher) feeling better than when I started (and I still do now).
I am also a personal trainer and have personally seen connections between movement and mental health, a neuroscientist may explain better, but essentially the release of endorphins and adrenaline through engagement of muscles and mastery of movement clearly has a positive impact on more than a person’s physicality. I have witnessed people increase their energy and confidence. I help people work out their frustrations using boxing or building the confidence to try something new by lifting weights, always ending with a stretch and a self-check in, ready to face the world outside.
While working as an administrator for Dr. Caroline de Vries at The Base, often Caroline expressed her wish that I could dance with some of her patients as they were stuck in their bodies—disconnected from themselves in ways that words alone can’t reach. Her reflections sparked my curiosity, and I began reading books and articles by dance and movement therapists from the UK and USA. I discovered how movement can support emotional regulation, rebuild a sense of self, and help integrate energy and experience. That’s when I found a Master’s program in Melbourne—and decided to pursue formal training to do just that.
You've worked with diverse groups, including young people, stroke survivors, and individuals with ASD and ADHD. How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each group?
I take a non-judgmental approach with everyone. I try to draw out strengths so participants can realise their potential. The starting point for individual sessions depends on how the participant is on the day. I meet people where they are at. This means matching their energy and moving together. If their emotional and energy levels are low or flat I will start with small movements, possibly sitting on a chair or the floor and build up from there. If they have lots of pent-up energy to release we will work through different ways of doing this. I have a range of props that participants may choose to move with (balls, scarves, bean bags, ribbons) or pictures that participants are drawn to.
In the first couple of sessions I will encourage people to explore the full range of movement types - fast/slow, strong/light, direct/indirect and play with different ways of moving. We’ll consider which movements feel natural, what feels odd and consider why this might be. We often find a theme through playful movement that relates to the reason the person has been referred to me.
Groups are usually broader in theme, choosing activities that focus on the common goals such as emotional regulation, rhythm (organisation within the body), or social connection.
My current work with stroke survivors is very specific, focussing on cognitive and physical goals such as coordination, balance, fine and gross motor skills. This involves more choreographed sequences (also free movement) and we remain seated for a large part of the session.
For all participants though, I highlight that there is no right or wrong way to move in dance & movement therapy. Sometimes your movement is different to other people’s, but it’s only wrong if you hurt yourself!
Can you share a memorable experience where dance movement therapy made a significant impact on a client's rehabilitation journey?
There are some pieces of feedback that I would love to frame! One stroke survivor who had been working on falls exercises and balances in different positions said ‘I used to just fall but now I can find my balance and save myself’
A person with severe depression found that repetitive rhythmic movements starting with the fingers and slowly progressing to a full body movement like a walk on the spot ‘but with style’ and ending with the arms outstretched built energy and then motivation which helped them to get through the day.
A person who was in a state of mania was able to find some peace by taking their natural rhythm and slowing it down through big, heavy movements, then connecting these movement with their breath and finding their way to the floor.
A person who was referred to me because they had reached a plateau with talking therapy was able to see themselves from a different perspective by moving in different ways. This opened up discussion with their regular talking therapist about possible ways forward.
How do you believe movement and dance contribute to mental health and overall well-being?
Mental health is not just all in your head. Emotions are felt in the body - think of all the cliches: ‘she’s a very jumpy person’, ‘this decision weighed heavy on me’, “I’m on shaky ground’, ‘I’m going around in circles’...
This concept can be used to balance emotional extremes or to move out of whatever you are stuck in. For example if you are feeling the weight of a situation/decision/experience you may be able to lose this feeling by engaging in light, soft movements, reaching up/out, visualising floating on a cloud or even shaking it off.
Movement can be utilised for mindfulness exercises such connecting your breath to a movement such as opening and closing your hand.
If you have a strong opinion which doesn’t match your values, try writing it in the air with your hand, or on the floor with your foot, engaging in the movement that matches the thought and playing with it until it feels comfortable. Exercises like this can provide a space in which to process or change your relationship with the original thought.
What challenges have you encountered in your practice, and how have they shaped your therapeutic approach?
The biggest challenge is expectations. A lot of people are expecting a dance class where I show them how to move in specific ways. Although we can use specific dance styles if they are helpful, teaching technique is not dance & movement therapy.
Another challenge is that people are not accustomed to connecting their mind and their body. Free (by which I mean unchoreographed) movement can be an abstract concept and people are very self-conscious.
I try to maintain a balance between leading the movement and encouraging participants to lead. I usually start with building confidence to move by taking a playful approach - the props can come in useful here, waving a ribbon or throwing a ball.
In your opinion, what sets Dance Movement Therapy apart from other therapeutic modalities in addressing mental health concerns?
Dance movement therapy is experiential. In terms of emotional or energy regulation we practice different options to find equilibrium. When we are stuck in a situation or unable to find a way forward, we play with moving in different ways, taking on different personas, trying out new movements and then considering how this made us feel and why. We can stay seated (if physically unable to stand or lacking the energy/motivation) and we can talk about anything that comes up but experiencing through movement is the key difference.
What advice would you give to someone considering Dance Movement Therapy as a path to healing and self-discovery?
Just give it a try. Remember that the therapist has no expectations of ‘dancing’. A dance & movement therapist is trained to work in a trauma informed, non-judgmental way. We are taught to move with you to find comfort and safety in the body, to work out what will help you in the moment.
How do you help ease some of the common fears or hesitations people might have about trying Dance Movement Therapy?
I start by explaining how the session will work. I highlight that it is not the same as a dance class and there are no expectations - you can move as little or as much as you like, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.
If someone says they’re not a good dancer, feel awkward moving without a drink in hand, or worry they have two left feet—what would you say to help them feel more comfortable with Dance Movement Therapy?
I assure them that we will start small and go from there.
I offer to let them choose the music
I say we can start with a bottle of water in your hand if that feels natural.
I might ask them what a ‘good’ dancer is. If they mention any professionals such as ballerinas or famous people like John Travolta, I will say that I am not in that category either, so we are on the same playing field.
I remind them that there is no right way to move… It’s only wrong if you hurt yourself.
I reassure them that everyone feels awkward sometimes and that avoiding this is not always the best answer.
