10/20/2025
Inpatient Allied Clinical Therapists Embrace Adaptability
Everyone responds differently to therapy. The ability to pivot and meet the patient needs where they are at that moment is exactly what our clinical allied therapists are trained to do.
Learn more here:
When an allied clinical therapist (ACT) walks into a group session at the Princeton House inpatient site, two skills immediately come into play: the ability to take the pulse of the room, and the adaptability to shift gears and meet patients where they are. About half of these master’s-level professionals have training in traditional therapies like DBT and CBT in addition to board certification in an allied clinical therapy such as dance/movement, music, art, or recreational therapy. This depth of knowledge enhances their ability to pivot to achieve what’s best for the group in each session.
“Everyone connects differently to treatment, whether it’s talk therapy or more creative forms of expression,” says Monique Macmanus, MA, BC-DMT, GLCMA, CCTP, clinical coordinator of inpatient Allied Clinical Therapies. Macmanus was initially board certified as a dance movement therapist and later participated in DBT training provided by Princeton House.
“Patients often come in at their lowest point, so it’s especially critical to help them find what they’re capable of on any given day,” she adds. “It’s not uncommon for us to shift on a dime into open process, movement, or even a combination of the two.”
Likewise, those who specialize in a specific modality are skilled in adaptability. With ACTs providing functional assessments and therapeutic interventions for patients across the unit, they tend to build a rapport that allows for greater flexibility.
Senior Allied Clinical Therapist Victoria Mus, MS, BC-DMT, who specializes in dance/movement therapy and starts her mornings on the first responder unit, notes that she shapes each session according to the group’s needs.
“We use the term ‘movement’ with patients, since the concept of ‘dance’ can make them feel more vulnerable than they already are,” she says. “This is especially true for first responders, who are known for being stoic. But in reality, we consider all movement as dancing – even breathing.”
“So much is stored in the body, and movement can help patients find words or a release without the need for words,” adds Mus, who often incorporates Darrell, a therapy dog, into sessions. “We’re working to reintegrate the mind and the body on a therapeutic level.”
ACTs work in collaboration with three other departments in the inpatient setting: psychiatry, nursing, and social work. A pharmacist, chaplain, dietitian, and First Responder Treatment Services staff also facilitate certain inpatient groups.
“Working collaboratively, we’re able to attain a more comprehensive, holistic perspective on each patient,” says Yuko Martin, MA, MT-BC, LPC, ACS, director of Allied Clinical Therapies, who is described by Macmanus as the “Oz behind the curtain” in creating structured yet flexible schedules that integrate all the staff’s talents.
“The ability to offer different modalities makes therapy more versatile," adds Martin. "We’re proud to have such a wide variety of approaches to enable a deeper level of processing.”
Housebh
