We all know how essential sleep is for our overall health. And we at docbotic talk ceaselessly about how CBT-i is the gold standard treatment if insomnia prevents you from getting enough. But what about dance?
In our recently published interview with Rayni Collins, an experienced sleep and movement therapist, we delve into the fascinating world of dance movement therapy and how it can transform your sleep and overall well-being.
Rayni Collins is not your typical therapist. With a background in dance performance and choreography, her artistic clients truly benefit from her interdisciplinary approach to therapy. Her health setbacks while pursuing a career in dance led her to explore dance movement therapy, and she soon earned her MA in dance movement therapy. Over the years, she honed her skills, working with a vast range of age groups and mental health conditions. In 2022, she launched her online private practice, E-Motive Counseling, helping creatives and artists across the Carolinas get the rest they need.
What is Dance Movement Therapy?
Dance Movement Therapy, as defined by the American Dance Therapy Association, is the “psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, cognitive, social, and physical integration.” It’s a therapeutic approach that harnesses the power of movement to effect positive change and healing.
Rayni explains that dance movement therapists are highly skilled in analyzing and observing movement, allowing them to tailor interventions to the individual’s unique needs. These sessions can mimic a dance class, with warm-ups, focused movement themes, and a cool-down phase. The key is to explore one’s inner world, discover new ways to connect with the external world, and facilitate personal growth and healing.
While some dance movement therapists may incorporate techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the approach varies from therapist to therapist, depending on their training and modality preferences.
Working with Creatives and Artists
Rayni’s focus on creatives and artists is rooted in her personal background as a dancer and lifelong artist. She understands the unique challenges and vulnerabilities that come with being a creative person in the world, and Rayni’s goal is to help her clients get the rest they need to rediscover the joy in their work, enabling them to continue doing what they love.
Addressing a Variety of Mental Health Issues
Throughout her career, Rayni has worked clients with a wide range of mental health conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma-related disorders, substance abuse disorders, and more. However, she finds herself most effective and drawn to helping those with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, trauma, and, notably, insomnia.
The Dance Movement Therapy Approach to Sleep
In Rayni’s practice, dance movement therapy is a tool to help people “move and dance for a better day to then be able to rest and sleep for a better tomorrow.” It allows individuals to externalize stress and tension, making it easier to relax and drift off to sleep. The therapy’s impact on improving sleep quality and quantity is significant.
Rayni also incorporates Sleepbot into her practice! Our clinician companion dashboard enables her to monitor her clients’ sleep data, ensuring they are making progress. It’s a win-win situation for both therapists and clients.
Dance Movement Therapy for Everyone
Dance movement therapy is for everyone—as Rayni says, we all start as dancers, expressing ourselves through movement from birth. This practice can help us reconnect with our bodies, express our emotions, and improve our overall well-being.
How to Get Started
If you’re intrigued by dance movement therapy and want to explore its benefits, you can visit the American Dance Therapy Association website.
If you love Rayni’s work as much as we do:
Follow her on Facebook and YouTube @RayniCollins and on IG @e_motive_counseling
For more information about her incredible work: https://raynicollins.com/
For more information on dance movement therapy: https://www.adta.org/
If you’re interested in learning more about our (free!) clinician dashboard, please email us at hello@docbotic.care
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