Dancing Dialogue

03/28/2026

What a day!

Gathering with this community for Rest and Renewal was such a wonderful experience, and we had such a great time tending to ourselves as clinicians.

Thank you to every clinician who carved out time to be here. I can't wait for the next one.

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03/24/2026

We don't just talk about the mind-body connection.

We honor the body-mind connection because healing begins with what you feel, not just what you think.

Our team brings decades of specialized training in areas where words often fall short.

Come see our specialists.

10/07/2025

Play isn’t always easy for children. When things don’t go their way, they can become frustrated quickly.

In those moments, it helps to remember that frustration is a natural part of learning, not a failure.

Children are still developing the ability to manage big feelings, especially when they care about the activity or want to succeed.

Here’s a simple way to support your child during play if they do be come frustrated:

Pause before fixing.
Take a breath and give your child a moment to notice what’s happening.

Name what you see.
Say something like, “That didn’t go how you wanted,” or “You worked hard on that tower and it fell down.” Naming helps children feel understood.

Model calm.
You could take a slow exhale, shake out your hands, or stretch together before trying again. Small physical resets help children learn that they can recover from frustration and continue playing.

Over time, this process builds emotional flexibility. Children start to trust that mistakes or disappointments can be repaired, and that connection remains even when things don’t go perfectly.

If your child is struggling with any of these skills, our LEGO®-Based Therapy group might be a good fit.

earn more about it and register here: http://bit.ly/4oc3b6n

10/01/2025

I’m so delighted to be presenting Charlotte Dubuis with her Ways of Seeing certificate at the 2025 European Dance/Movement Therapy Association Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania!

Congratulations, Charlotte 💜

For those who may not be familiar, Ways of Seeing is a certification program I created to support therapists and other clinicians in weaving movement, attachment, and emotional development into their work with infants, children, and families.

Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort — link in bio to learn more or apply.

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09/02/2025

Handing out Ways of Seeing certificates is one of my favorite moments — it’s where all the training, study, and heart come together.

For those who are new here, Ways of Seeing is the method I developed that uses movement, art, music, play, and nonverbal observation to support children and families. At its core, it’s about learning how to truly see one another.

Our next training group will be opening soon. If you’d like to be notified when applications go live, join the waiting list today using the link in my bio 💜

06/30/2025

Our bodies tell a story, often long before we find the words.

We're excited to share the latest research from our founder, Suzi Tortora, on how a parent’s body — their posture, gestures, even the way they hold themselves — can shift as they begin to heal from trauma and connect more deeply with their child.

If you’ve ever wondered how your own experiences might shape the way you connect with your little one, this research might offer some insight.

You can read the full article here:

IntroductionThis study aims to examine what a form of video-based analysis of nonverbal communication: “Dyadic Attachment-based Nonverbal Communicative Expre...

05/21/2025

From the very beginning of life, children use their bodies to connect— with a glance, a reach, a shift in posture.

Before they have words, they’re already forming relationships using non-verbal communication.

In my work with infants, young children, and families, I’ve seen how movement tells us what a child is feeling, what they need, and how safe they feel.

When adults learn to observe these cues with care and curiosity, they open the door to deeper connection, co-regulation, and developmental support.

On June 8, I’ll be sharing more about this approach in my webinar:
The Dancing Dialogue: Supporting Infants, Young Children, and Families Using the Embodied Parenting Dance/Movement Therapy Method

🗓️ 8:00–9:30 AM EDT
🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/5n6hwvvs

05/09/2025

A child’s body tells us what they need before they can use words to communicate.

Through posture, tone, eye gaze, and gesture, infants and young children are constantly communicating how they feel and how connected they feel to those around them.

Embodied Parenting invites us to shift our focus from what children say to how they move — reading the body like a conversation.

When caregivers and professionals notice these movement cues and respond with attunement, they help the child’s nervous system settle, build secure attachment, and support the development of self-regulation, problem-solving, and social connection.

To learn more join me on June 8th for an online workshop — "The Dancing Dialogue: Supporting Infants, Young Children and Families Using the Embodied Parenting Dance/Movement Therapy Method"

Register

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05/06/2025

📣 Upcoming Webinar: "The Dancing Dialogue: Supporting Infants, Young Children, and Families Using the Embodied Parenting Dance/Movement Therapy Method"

Join Dr. Suzi Tortora, Ed.D. for an insightful session on June 8, 2025, from 8:00–9:30 AM EST.

Dr. Tortora will delve into her Embodied Parenting method, highlighting how nonverbal communication through movement, facial expressions, and vocalizations can foster secure attachments and support early development.

This webinar is part of the Hong Kong Dance Movement Therapy Association's Post-Conference Professional Webinar Series.

🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/25w2xvb9

05/05/2025

Happy Birthday to the wonderful Lasha!
Your kindness, attention to detail, and steady support make such a difference every day. We’re so grateful for all you do and hope this year brings you joy, growth, and moments that make you feel as appreciated as you truly are! 🎁🎂🎉🥳

04/29/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Jennifer Sterling, MS, R-DMT, LCAT, SEP, to the Dancing Dialogue team! Jennifer is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, and Holistic Nutritionist. She brings a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to healing, integrating modalities like EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Her work supports clients navigating trauma, racial identity, anxiety, depression, and more, blending creative expression and somatic practices to foster emotional regulation and self-connection.

Jennifer will be practicing in our Cold Spring, NY office. Her presence enriches our commitment to holistic, expressive arts therapies. Join us in giving her a warm welcome!​

04/25/2025

📸✨ Fresh Faces, Same Heart ✨📸
We’re so excited to share our brand new headshots—captured beautifully by the talented !

These portraits reflect not only the faces behind Dancing Dialogue, but the spirit of creativity, compassion, and connection that drives our work every day.

A huge thank you to Erin for making us feel so comfortable and seen through your lens. Your artistry brought out our essence in every frame.

Stay tuned as we update our website and share more behind-the-scenes moments from our shoot!