Rising Stars: Meet Sarah Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Miller. 

Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I grew up dancing and loved it, but I knew I would never have the skill level I needed to become a professional. When I first went to college at Alma College, I had the intention of becoming a Physical Therapist for dancers. Because Alma is a liberal arts school, we were required to take many classes outside of our majors and it was because of this I realized my passion for psychology and helping people and was able to dance all throughout college. In my junior year, I realized I was not on the correct path and through a Google search discovered Dance/Movement Therapy, and I just knew that was what I was meant to do. So, after graduating from Alma, I moved out to New York to attend Sarah Lawrence College and get my Master’s in Dance/Movement Therapy. After two long years of school, I moved back to Michigan and became a practicing dance/movement therapist and an advocate for my new field of work. At the time in 2015, I was the seventh dance/movement therapist in the entire state. And since moving back home I have worked in many different settings with all kinds of people. I started off in an adult daycare center working with the people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. From there I moved to working with adults and children with developmental differences. I have worked in nursing homes, schools, studios. I do sessions with individuals and groups. My favorite part of my work is during the summer when Comprehensive Therapy Center runs our summer program called Therapy and Fun. During this time, I am able to work with so many children and get to see them grow and learn about themselves all while dancing and moving. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like I mentioned when I moved back to Michigan, I was one of 7 in the entire state, and only the second DMT in West Michigan, and with my degree and education as it is now, I am not eligible for any sort of state mental health license. I have had to get creative with where I work, and unfortunately, put a big burden on the people I work with because they have to pay out of pocket for my services because insurance will not even consider paying for my services without state licensure even though I hold a national accreditation. And while in the past 7 years our numbers have almost doubled, the field of dance/movement therapy is basically unknown. I am always having to explain myself and liken myself to other creative art therapies that people are more likely to have heard of (i.e., Art Therapy, Music Therapy). Because my specialization is “new” in so many people’s lives, they are skeptical of the work that I do, and are hesitant to give it a chance. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual, focusing on movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship. It has been an established therapy since the 1950s. The Dance/Movement Therapist focuses on movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship. Expressive, communicative, and adaptive behaviors are all considered for both group and individual treatment. Body movement as the core component of dance simultaneously provides the means of assessment and the mode of intervention for dance/movement therapy. Dance/movement therapy can foster creative self-expression and provides safe and effective options for relating to others and coping with the environment. Upon entering the child’s symbolic movement world, the therapist helps to expand communication skills, creating pathways from non-verbal to verbal dialogues. As a result of this process, self-awareness, awareness of others, coping skills, and the ability to form relationships can all be improved. With these tools, I do not need words to connect with the person I am working with. 

I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to work with so many different people since coming back to Michigan. And that is not limited to just my clients I have been able to help other dance/movement therapists complete their education by offering internships and supervision. I know the only way my field will grow is by working with other dance/movement therapists. During COVID a group of dance/movement therapist decided to formalize our connections and created the Michigan Dance/Movement Therapy Collective, as a founding member I have been part of our creation and setting intentions and goals for what we would like to see happen within the state. We have started with an Instagram account where we are raising awareness, teaching, and sharing in everyone’s successes. In my profession itself I am set apart from other’s because there are only about 13 of us in the state, In the future, I would love that to NOT be the case and for the field of Dance/Movement Therapy to be more widely recognized and utilized in mental health treatment. 

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It is hard to pick just one memory, but my favorite time in my childhood is, not surprisingly, anytime I was in a dance studio. Dancing has always been a part of who I am, and it always makes me feel better when I have danced. I can remember many times having a bad day at school and going to my dance class at night, and through the movements and connections with other dancers feeling so much better by the end of class. With all of these feelings and memories of the good dance did for me it is no wonder as an adult I am sharing that with others, and using it to help. 

Contact Info:

• Website: therapycenter.org
• Instagram: @mi_dmt_collective

Image Credits
Abbey Moore
Comprehensive Therapy Center