Following our main conference, HKDMTA has invited ten world-renowned dance movement therapists from around the world, each bringing their expertise, to conduct the following professional webinars on the different applications of dance movement therapy (DMT) across different populations and settings. We welcome all DMT practitioners, mental health professionals, allied health professionals, social workers, educators, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of movement and healing.
Date
Time
Webinar Name
Facilitator
8 June 2025 (Sun)
5:30-7:00pm


​8:00-9:30pm
"The Importance of Play in Clinical Work and How to Be Playful as a Practitioner"

​​"The Dancing Dialogue: Supporting infants, young children and families using the Embodied Parenting dance/movement therapy method"
​Michela Reghellin


Dr. Suzi Tortora
14 June 2025 (Sat)
9:00-10:30am

​5:00-6:30pm

7:30-9:00pm
"​Movement and Music as Somatic Catalyst for Healing Trauma"
​
​"​Embodiment in the present moment"

"The Healing of Your Body"
Dr. Angela M. Grayson

​Prof. Jill Bunce

​Zvika Frank
15 June 2025 (Sun)
9:30-11:00am


4:00-5:30pm


​8:30-10:00pm
​
"Dance/Movement Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Moving Relationship"

​"The BodyMind Approach® for People with Medically Unexplained Symptoms - An Online Introduction for Practitioners"

​"The Value of Dance/Movement Therapy for People Living with Dementia and Their Carers: What We Provide and Why It Matters”
Dr. Christina Devereaux


Prof. Helen Payne
​
​
​Donna Newman-Bluestein
21 June 2025 (Sat)
6:00-7:30pm


7:30-9:00pm

​
"The Dance that Saves Lives: Trauma Specific Support in Suicide Prevention"

​"Emotional Self-Regulation through Dance Movement Based Interventions for Adolescents with SEN: A Hong Kong Perspective"
​
Rachael Stonard


Dr. Leung Siu Ling Angela
​
所有工作坊將以英文進行。以上時間為香港時間，請下載以下附件以查詢國際時間表。
​All workshops will be conducted in English. Times below are listed in HKT. Please download the schedule with different timezones below.
webinar_schedule__updated_timezones_.pdf
File Size: 76 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

價目表
​Prices
​
每個工作坊 Each Webinar                                       ​  ​ $300 (HKD) / *$270 (HKD)
早鳥優惠 Early Bird Price (Until May 16)                  ​$240 (HKD) - 20% off       

*香港舞蹈動作治療協會的專業會員及支持單位的職員及學生將獲享九折優惠。
*HKDMTA members and supporting units can receive 10% discount.  

全包套餐                                                                  ​     $2500 (HKD) 
(價錢包含以下10個工作坊)                                     ​     
All-inclusive Package                                            ​     
(Price includes access to all 10 webinars) 

早鳥優惠 Early Bird Price (Until May 16)                 $2000 (HKD) - 20% off

專業網絡研討會 報名連結
Register for post-conference webinars

"The Importance of Play in Clinical Work and How to Be Playful as a Practitioner"
8th June, 2025 (Sun)
​5:30-7:30pm

By Michela Reghellin

​MA, RDMP, UKCP trainee, PGCert HE FHEA, Clinical Supervisor
The presentation will focus on the role of play in therapy work with creative modalities, with focus on DMP. The significance of play will be discussed from both a theoretical and practical perspective, to highlight the benefit of embedding this component in therapeutic settings, both with children and adults. We will discuss the importance of play in terms of preparation to therapeutic intervention, and as a form of self-care for practitioners.

​Michela is the Interim Programme Lead of the MA in Dance and Movement Psychotherapy at the University of Derby (UK). Michela is a registered Dance and Movement Psychotherapist, Private Practitioner and Clinical Supervisor. Michela has worked extensively with clients with trauma and learning difficulties. She has worked with children in care and post adoption. She works with adults with emotional issues who have suffered from trauma. Other interventions involved working with clients with physical impairments, visually impaired people, and fall prevention. Her approach is person-centred, psychoanalytical and trauma informed. She combines DMP with other creative modalities such as Body Mapping and performative arts.

​"The Dancing Dialogue: Supporting infants, young children and families using the Embodied Parenting dance/movement therapy method"
​8th June, 2025 (Sun)
8:00-9:30pm

By Dr. Suzi Tortora

​Ed.D., BC-DMT, CMA, LCAT, LMHC, NCC
It is not just what you say but how you say it - with your body - that counts. We communicate with babies, and each other before we even say a word. Babies also talk to us right from the beginning through their facial expressions, body actions, the quality of their vocalizations and even the way they look at us. This embodied experiential nature of our interactions can be used to understand the underlying meaning of an infant and young child’s behaviors as well as build emotional expression, social engagement and strengthen the caregiver attachment relationship.

This workshop focuses on the embodied nature of these experiences, supporting the felt-experience of parenting as it effects the social/emotional and all levels of a child’s development. In this workshop, you will explore the core components of Dr. Tortora’s Embodied Parenting method. Gain insights into how nonverbal analysis, along with dance, movement, music, and rhythmic activities, can be used to support, soothe, and engage infants, children, and their families, fostering the development of secure attachments.

Dr. Tortora has a full-time private practice in Cold Spring, NY 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; Recent books, The Dancing Dialogue: Using the communicative power of movement with young children, and, Dance/Movement Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Medical Illness: Treating Somatic and Psychic Distress co-authored with Dr. Miri Keren.

​"Movement and Music as Somatic Catalyst for Healing Trauma"
​14th June, 2025 (Sat)
9:00-10:30am

By Dr. Angela M. Grayson

​PhD, BC-DMT, LPC, NCC
In this transformative experiential workshop, participants will explore the powerful intersection of movement, music, and somatic awareness as pathways for trauma resolution. Through carefully guided practices, we'll discover how rhythmic movement and sound can access the body's innate healing wisdom, creating new neural pathways for recovery and resilience. Our bodies exist in a constant state of rhythmic vibration - a symphony of internal organs, neural impulses, and cellular movement creating our unique vibrational signature. This internal orchestra plays continuously, influencing our emotional states, physical responses, and overall well-being. When trauma enters our experience, it creates dissonance in this natural rhythm, disrupting our innate patterns of movement and response. Understanding trauma through the lens of movement and vibration opens new pathways for healing. Trauma responses become locked in our tissues, creating patterns of tension, restriction, and disconnection. However, by consciously engaging with movement and music, we can 1) access these stored patterns through gentle, mindful exploration; 2) introduce new vibrational frequencies that help shift stuck emotional states; 3) activate the body's innate healing mechanisms through rhythmic engagement; and 4) create new neural pathways for processing and integration. 

Movement is our first language and means of communication. While we were in the womb we grew and moved about according to internal and external stimuli. Consequently, our bodies innately engage in movement as a protective or reflexive response; therefore, we are in constant vibration with our internal organs which make up our unique rhythmic patterns. Music causes ripples in the natural vibration of our unique rhythmic patterns and is the fastest way to shift our internal vibration thus serving as a catalyst jolting us from one emotional state to another. When a trauma response is activated, movement and music can change our vibration to a different frequency. 

Learning Objectives
  • Identify how movement and music serve as a catalyst for healing trauma. 
  • Examine the benefits of regulating our internal and external stimuli to help with cognitive restructuring. 
  • Demonstrate the effects of incorporating a theme song to foster healing emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Angela M. Grayson is an award-winning Therapist, bestselling Author, Speaker, Educator, and transformational Healer. She speaks and teaches globally regarding dance/movement therapy, mental health, embodied DEI, and sacred dance. With over 30 years in mental health services, she is the CEO of Good Fruit Expressive Arts Counseling & Psychotherapy LLC where she seeks to enhance the quality of life through verbal and nonverbal creative expression, as well as educate, support, and provide opportunities for transformation of self along a spiritual journey of healing and wholeness. Dr. Angela is passionate about the interconnection of indigenous culture and spirituality, especially in relation to healing practices through dance and has been a Licensed Dance Minister for over 20 years. She currently serves as the first Black and Native American descendent National President of the American Dance Therapy Association. 

"​Embodiment in the present moment"
​14th June, 2025 (Sat)
5:00-6:30pm

By Dr. Jill Bunce

​BA Hons Theology. University of Birmingham
Cert Ed. Christ Church College (University) Canterbury
MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy City University
PG Dip. Educational Psychotherapy Roehampton University
EDD, University of Derby
Embodiment can yet be another label or judgmental label we fix on ourselves. It becomes yet another attainment to achieve. Something to be obtained rather than allow ourselves to be.

Dance and Movement are existential and being in the moment…….

In the moment, we create spatial pathways which develops creativity and ‘be-ing in the moment’. Creativity is in making those moments connect to each other and to others, to provide interconnected relationships and patterns.These stimulate patterns and connections in our body mind and spirit to assist in our whole wellbeing. This seminar/workshop will assist you in this process.

​Dr. Jill Bunce trained at the Laban Studio for Dance and the Laban centre to become a Dance Movement Psychotherapist. She works in practice as an experienced supervisor,  and is in DMP practice for an Organisation called the Lillian Prime Centre for Neurological Conditions, works with children in schools and is a consultant for the DMP training at the University of Derby. She helped set up a training there in 2010 until 2019 and was Programme Lead.The programme is still running and has now seasoned practitioners who work in DMP as trainers and practitioners and who teach on the course. She has worked internationally and nationally giving lectures and workshops in Greece, USA, Romania, Finland, Poland and Australia and Hong Kong. She now supervises doctoral students, nationally and internationally. She is now using sculptural forms and ceramics to support her practice and personal process.

"The Healing of Your Body"
​​14th June, 2025 (Sat)
7:30-9:00pm

By Zvika Frank

BC-DMT
​From Being Broken to Feeling Proud of Your Body...
In 1990, I began working with men who had experienced sexual abuse. At the start, there was little information available on the subject, so I relied on my knowledge and the principles from my own experiences working with women who had been sexually abused. During sexual abuse, the body becomes damaged and traumatized. Many treatments focus only on the mental and psychological aspects, but I strongly believe that if you don’t heal the body, you are only doing half the work.

Therefore, I made the decision to develop a method combining Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Transactional Analysis (TA). The main DMT influences that I incorporated in this treatment include Marian Chase's approach, Authentic Movement by Mary Whitehouse, and Laban Movement Analysis. I also drew from Drama Psychotherapy, particularly the work of Albert Pesso, and the Transactional Analysis theory of Eric Berne.

The treatment method is based on four stages:
The Feelings-Safe Stage (self-confidence, safety, trust, limits, protection, autonomy, and learning to "be"): Albert Pesso discusses five basic needs that originate from the womb.
The Fighting Stage
The Intimacy Stage
The Parting Stage

The key treatment goals are:
Safety (self-confidence and trusting others)
Setting limits
Accepting and reordering body image
Expression of feelings
Self-assertion
• A positive communication with other people 
• Learning to deal with intimacy and sexuality.

My name is Zvika Frank, BC-DMT. I began dancing when I was 7 years old, performing Israeli folk dance. In 1984, I graduated as a dance therapist in Amsterdam. I worked for 28 years at the Psychiatric Center Delta in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 1990, I started developing a method for dance therapy with men who had experienced sexual abuse, combining DMT with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have given lectures and workshops in various countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, the United States (Atlanta), and Israel (HKU). For 15 years, I was a member of the advisory committee for the training programs at the Rotterdam Dance Academy, which later became a Master’s program. I also provide supervision. Since 2006, I have been working in Hong Kong and China.

"Dance/Movement Therapy and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Moving Relationship"
​​15th June, 2025 (Sun)
9:30-11:00am

By Dr. Christina Devereaux

​PhD, LPC, LCAT, LMHC, BC-DMT, NCC
Dynamic moving relationships with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in dyadic or group settings can create opportunities for developing social connections. Synchronous movements during rhythmic actions can create a state of social cooperation, shared purpose, and a sense of togetherness that may spark social connections between individuals—one of the core challenges in those with ASD.  Moreover, dance/movement therapy may provide opportunities for learning social skills such as imitation, turn taking/social reciprocity, joint attention, shared affect, and empathy.  

In this presentation, Dr. Christina Devereaux will draw from core principles of dance/movement therapy, social engagement theories, and sensory processing research as guiding perspectives for therapists and educators working with individuals with ASD.  Core strategies utilizing a multisensory approach will be used in order to decode the neurophysiological communication that may be occurring through repetitive restrictive behaviors. It is essential to note, however, that any intervention approach with autism requires recognizing the complex nature of each individual’s unique differences, including strengths and challenges. When we begin to understand the emotional reasons behind the “dance” in children’s behaviors we can then learn to speak each child’s language and help support the acquisition of skills in a collaborative, reciprocal, moving relationship. 
​​
Dr. Christina Devereaux (she/her) is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (NY, USA), Mental Health Counselor (NY, USA), Professional Counselor (PA, USA), and Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (ADTA), and National Certified Counselor (NBCC). She is an internationally recognized presenter, educator, and author in dance/movement therapy and specializes in using alternative outlets for expression supporting children, adolescents, adults and families in moving through emotional difficulties.  Dr. Devereaux currently holds two faculty appointments including serving as Assistant Professor at Rider University in Department of Education, Leadership, and Counseling for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Dance/Movement Therapy Concentration (CACREP-accredited) and as an adjunct Visiting Associate Professor at the Pratt Institute in the Department of Creative Arts Therapies in Brooklyn, NY.   She served in leadership positions for other university programs including Associate Clinical Professor and Program Director for the Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling MA program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and Program Director for the Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling MA program at Antioch University New England (Keene, NH, USA).  Internationally she is on the program faculty at DMT training programs in China (Inspirees), Belgium, and New Zealand.  Dr. Devereaux served two terms as co-editor of the American Journal of Dance Therapy and was a two-time President’s Award recipient from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) for her contributions to the profession. She has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR), CCTV, Attachment Theory in Action Podcast, and as a presenter for the 2014 ADTA Talks series and published several articles in various peer-reviewed journals and books focusing on dance/movement therapy with children with autism spectrum disorders and complex trauma.

"The BodyMind Approach® for People with Medically Unexplained Symptoms - An Online Introduction for Practitioners"
​​​15th June, 2025 (Sun)
4:00-5:30pm

By Prof. Helen Payne

​PhD: Snr Reg/Fellow ADMP UK; UKCP accred. psychotherapist and group analyst.
This is an Introduction to the application of the systematically researched treatment ‘The BodyMind Approach®’ (TBMA), derived from dance movement and arts psychotherapy practices. It is designed for suitably qualified professionals wishing to augment their practice by using TBMA with clients with medically unexplained symptoms (fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain, chronic fatigue, headache, backache, chronic pain etc). Professionals, for example, from the creative arts therapies, counselling,
psychotherapy and experienced mental health practitioners with backgrounds in somatic approaches will find this online course beneficial. It is recognized some participants will attend for their own interest. 

Aim: To introduce participants in the application of TBMA as a way towards self-management for clients with chronic medically unexplained bodily symptoms at the primary-community care interface.

Content includes: introducing somatic practices online, the underpinning theory, the evidence-based research, facilitating an opening up to sensory, bodily and emotional experiencing, changing relationship to, and perceptions of, symptoms raising the capacity for ‘living well’ with symptoms. There will be breaks, interaction, dyads, groupwork and synchronous teaching.

Learning outcomes:
  • Greater knowledge, skills and understanding of ‘presentness’ online.
  • Expansion of your skill set for working online with somatic elements of practice.
  • Understanding of how the body and mind inter-relate in these chronic bodily symptoms.
  • Insight into how research can generate a treatment model.
  • Knowledge of the role of creativity in TBMA, for example, symptom as symbol and metaphor.
  • Familiarity with the relevant literature and TBMA research.
  • How to bridge the gap between psyche and soma to engage with somatised symptoms through direct experience of the self, beyond words.

​Professor Helen Payne, PhD is a Full tenured Professor of Psychotherapy in the School of Life and Medical Sciences, Department of Psychology, Geography, Sport at the University of Hertfordshire where she works part time conducting research, supervising clinicians/PhDs, teaching, examining doctorates and delivering keynotes nationally and internationally. A UK pioneer and global leader in dance movement psychotherapy, Founding Editor-in-Chief International Journal of Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy (Taylor & Francis) she has research interests in areas such as enactive approaches to personal development, coaching, student mental health, embodied approaches to psychotherapy, learning and research. She has a small private psychotherapy practice and trains facilitators online and f2f in The BodyMind Approach and the Discipline of Authentic Movement. She is currently writing new books on The BodyMind Approach and Authentic Movement, previous publications include The-Routledge-International-Handbook-of-Embodied-Perspectives-in-Psychotherapy/Payne-Koch-Tantia-Fuchs Essentials-Dance-Movement-Psychotherapy-International   
Helen enjoys walking/hiking and reformer Pilates. She has a daily practice and spends time with her family, friends (including animals) in rural Hertfordshire. Read about her research at: https://go.herts.ac.uk/helen_payne

"The Value of Dance/Movement Therapy for People Living with Dementia and Their Carers: What We Provide and Why It Matters”
​​​​15th June, 2025 (Sun)
8:30-10:00pm

By Donna Newman-Bluestein

​MEd, BC-DMT, CMA
Neuroscience is only now beginning to understand that dance and embodied caregiving are among the most effective ways of communicating with and engaging people with dementia in a meaningful life. When offered with sensitivity to the persons present, regardless of ability, dance/movement therapy offers the involvement of the whole person - body, heart, mind and spirit. And, most importantly, people feel a greater sense of vitality and self-esteem, improving their quality of life.
​
For 45 years, board-certified dance/movement therapist Donna Newman-Bluestein has used improvisational dance and expressive movement as media to help people connect to their bodies’ wisdom within relationship. A 2023 recipient of the Maude’s Award for Innovations in Dementia Care, Donna has channeled what she knows about communicating with people with dementia into an embodied approach to trainings, workshops, and a movement assessment tool. Her articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals and she co-authored The Dance of Interaction with Dr. Meg Chang. Donna designed the Octaband® to provide a sense of belonging for people living with dementia and other special needs, especially those who often feel isolated and abandoned.

"The Dance that Saves Lives: Trauma Specific Support in Suicide Prevention"
21st June, 2025 (Sat)
6:00-7:30pm

By Rachael Stonard

​MA, RDMP, PP CSP UKCP trainee
Throughout this webinar, emerging data from current and ongoing research will be used to evidence the need for trauma specific support in addition to widespread trauma informed practice in suicide prevention. The webinar aims to share knowledge we have about suicide prevention in relation to trauma in a creative and engaging way to support the development of practice. The content is rooted in practice experience and collaborative research. The facilitator continues to work towards the development of a trauma specific pathway of support that is not reliant on diagnosis and instead considers displays of trauma symptoms. In a society where online and telephone support becomes mainstream in health services, this webinar challenges what is commonplace and encourages delegates to consider the benefits of creativity, flexibility and choice. 

I am a Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts and Programme Lead for the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy. In addition, I continue to practice as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist and I specialise in working with adults and children who have experienced trauma.  I am committed to the development of Dance Movement Psychotherapy with the belief that everyone should have access to therapy that meets their needs. I am passionate about delivering psychotherapeutic support in a creative, flexible and original way whilst supporting trainee DMP's to develop their own research and practice.

I teach mostly on the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy and lead several modules including Psyche Soma: The Mind and Body Relationship, Movement Observation and Analysis, Research Theory and Skills and Experiential Group. I also facilitate both stage one and stage two clinical supervision groups.In addition to postgraduate teaching, I teach the Human Development and Play module on the BA Creative Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing. 

I am particularly interested in developmental psychology and identity formation. This, as well as neuroscience and it's links with psychotherapy, underpins my clinical work to date and my continued practice. The modules I teach are a reflection of these interests and include learning from continued clinical experience. I am interested in all aspects of recovery from trauma and, in particular, the impact that embodied psychotherapy intervention has on future outcomes of clients. 

I have 10 years of practice experience in the third sector and education. I have consistently been employed as a practitioner and before becoming an academic ran a successful practice which also supported newly qualified therapists to work on a self employed basis. I have previously facilitated student placements, mentored newly qualified therapists and provided employability coaching to early career practitioners. 

My clinical practice has provided opportunities for me to specialise in supporting clients who have experienced domestic violence and abuse, clients who are victims/survivors of sexual crimes and to facilitate psychotherapy on a pre-trial basis. I have also worked with clients at risk of suicide and with children and adolescents who self-harm. As an extension to this, I have also offered family support often working with parents/carers and siblings.

More recently I have worked exclusively with children post-adoption through the Adoption Support Fund. This has involved ongoing collaborative work with other psychotherapists and social care. 

I have facilitated training to professionals, organisations and schools. This started with a desire to make trauma informed practice commonplace and to support professionals to better understand child and adolescent behaviour. I was specifically interested in supporting professionals who worked with children and young people who had patterns of absconding, self harm, dissociation and difficulties with educational attainment.

"Emotional Self-Regulation through Dance Movement Based Interventions for Adolescents with SEN: A Hong Kong Perspective"
21st June, 2025 (Sat)
7:30-9:00pm

By Dr. Leung​ Siu Ling Angela 

​PhD; DTAA (Prof DMT, Clin DMT); ADMP UK (R-DMP)
The research study on emotional self-regulation in adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) serves as a strong foundation for this engaging and experiential workshop. Designed as a virtual, interactive experience, the workshop translates research findings into practical tools and knowledge to support emotional self-regulation in youth with special needs. The workshop features a presentation of the study’s findings alongside experiential activities that focus on emotional self-regulation. By the end, participants will gain a clear understanding of the impact of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT)-based ESR programs on adolescents with ID and acquire hands-on, body-oriented strategies to enhance emotional well-being.

​Dr. Angela Leung has 14 years of experience as a practicing Dance Movement Therapist. Currently, she works as a freelance researcher, clinical supervisor, counselor, and Dance Movement Therapist. She earned her MPhil at the University of Hong Kong, where she applied a movement-based approach to explore women’s experiences with breast cancer. In 2021, Angela completed her PhD at the University of Hertfordshire, focusing on the impact of a Dance Movement Therapy-based emotional self-regulation programme on students with special educational needs. Recently, she contributed to a study at Anglia Ruskin University (UK), developing a culturally sensitive dance therapy programme to support the wellbeing of Chinese cancer patients and their carers in London.

​Angela is a Clinical Supervisor and Professional Dance Movement Therapist (Dance Therapy Association of Australasia, DTAA), a Registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist (Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK, ADMP UK), and the founder of the Hong Kong Dance Movement Therapy Association (HKDMTA).