Blending the art of movement with the science of therapy for a holistic approach to wellness
Hi! I'm Vicky
I’m a board certified dance/movement therapist and creative arts therapist practicing in Austin, TX. I wholeheartedly believe that every individual has an innate ability to heal and that every body has a story to tell. Our body holds all of our experiences, emotions and sensations. Therefore, cultivating a relationship with your body and the sensations that arise will provide clarity around behaviors and patterns, as well as open up different ways to relate to self and others.
In my free time I love to be with my family, and friends. I like traveling, being outside in nature, cooking and dancing of course!
My Approach
Body-to-Mind
We are comfortable and used to a top-down, mind to body approach, where we take in external information and then put it into action (e.g., having a to-do list and crossing things off or following a recipe). However, by incorporating a bottom-up, body-based approach we can move beyond feeling stuck and start putting words into action by engaging the mind through the experience of the body.
Holistic and Multi-modal
I bring curiosity and compassion into the therapeutic space by listening with my whole body and holding a safe space for self expression and reflection of your lived experience. My clinical perspective is trauma-informed, psychodynamic and client-centered. I understand how past experiences can influence the way we process information and move into action in the present. I focus on the present moment and bring attention to the dynamics that take place during our sessions as a representation of what goes on beyond the therapeutic space. And I fully believe that each client is the expert in their life and is in the driver’s seat when it comes to the therapeutic process.
Experience Based
Like muscle memory, our body remembers our lived experiences. Therefore, responses that feel foreign and require a lot of effort and processing initially can eventually become a natural and available choice. I believe that combining talk therapy with movement therapy can jumpstart and create real and lasting changes that clients can then continue to practice in their lives.
Embodied
Our bodies are an incredible resource to come back to our true self. Through intentional movement we can establish safety, calm the nervous system and truly experience the body-mind connection. My training and background allow me to integrate different body based approaches depending on your individual goals and needs. These include mindfulness, embodied self- expression, authentic movement, yoga, guided breath and meditation. As a creative arts therapist, I am open to incorporating different mediums of self expression. Whatever feeds your creativity and makes you feel like yourself. I am here to support your unique healing journey.
Experience & Training
I feel deeply fulfilled by the work I do, and I am passionate about continuing to evolve and grow as a wellness professional. For this reason I have a strong commitment to continued learning by attending professional trainings and workshops. I also actively address my own biases and assumptions by engaging in regular consultation and supervision. It is my goal to provide a therapeutic environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all individuals.
My clinical experience over the last 12+ years includes a wide variety of populations with different needs. I have worked with people dealing with acute psychiatric symptoms in in-patient and out-patient settings. Children and adolescents, providing support through emotional and social development. I have worked with caregivers looking to prevent burnout, parents looking to remain connected to themselves and their own needs, people looking to understand their own relationship patterns to foster deeper and more meaningful relationships, decision making, life-transitions, identity and self-esteem issues, as well as artists and professionals moving through mental blocks and accessing their passion and creativity.
I am a white, Latina, married, cis-gendered woman and mother of two. I grew up in Mexico and attended Tulane University in New Orleans for my undergraduate studies. I completed my Master of Science graduate degree in Dance/Movement Therapy at Pratt Institute in New York. I hold licensure as a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) through the American Dance/Movement Therapy Association (ADTA). I lived and worked in Northern California for 8 years. During this time, I focused on developing and implementing programs which incorporated dance/movement therapy and embodiment practices into hospitals and treatment centers in order to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients who were stuck in their own destructive patterns.
Education and certifications
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Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Latin American Studies & Dance - Tulane University
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Master of Science (MS) in Dance/Movement Therapy - Pratt Institute
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Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) - ADTA
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Rainbowdance endorsed practitioner - Boston Children's Foundation
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DBT training for clinicians
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Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) - Yoga Alliance
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IFS online circle training