Welcome to Vermonti Health
Psychotherapy with Nicky...
Nicky is an integrative creative therapist and Dance Movement Psychotherapist. She
attained her DMP training at Goldsmiths University, London.
She offers dance movement psychotherapy and counselling/psychotherapy sessions
for children, young people and adults
Nicky is registered with The Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK
(ADMP) https://admp.org.uk/
I consider collaboration, compassion, curiosity and “unconditional positive regard,” at
the heart of my role as a therapist. I’m truly passionate about supporting mental
health and the holistic wellbeing of people. I feel It’s a privilege to hold space and
work alongside people within the therapy process. I hope through offering a meaning
making framework, which honours an individual’s difficulties and validates their lived
experience, I can make a positive difference to the lives of all those I work with.
I use an intersectional, person-centred, trauma informed approach in all my work,
which is underpinned by the psychodynamic framework of my DMP training. I draw
from the embodiment techniques, understanding of the inter-relationship between
mind-body and the empathic creative process of DMP to enable the delivery of
creative therapeutic approach which sits alongside verbal psychotherapy. My
integrative model of practice, draws from multiple therapeutic perspectives, offering
the flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of the individual. I have also trained in
MBT (mentalisation based therapy) with the Anna Freud centre, transformational
Breath, yoga and mindfulness.
As an embodied practitioner I believe we can only connect with others when we feel
safe and secure in our own body. I believe all therapy is based on a felt sense of
safety. I strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment which cultivates trust,
integrity and commitment. Which provides understanding during times of challenge,
gives space for complex emotional material to be processed, promotes a deeper
sense of conscious awareness, encourages listening to the body, endorses self-care
and nurtures a pathway towards healing, recovery and growth.
I hope by supporting people to authentically appreciate the rich tapestry of their lives
and develop the ability to connect with their body. They can begin to heal, and
integrate mind, body, spirit and soul. Recognising their value, feel empowered to
embrace and accept their unique identities, experience greater clarity, confidence,
balance, and purpose. Acknowledge their capacity for change, discover their ability
to develop effective ways to circumnavigate the complexity’s life can bring and feel
held in the quest towards self-actualisation.
Over the past 10 years Nicky has worked as a therapist in schools
(primary and secondary), CAMHS, specialist educational settings, refugee Camps,
NGO’s and community settings. The last four years of which, she has worked within
two charitable organisations, as an integrative creative therapist at OTR Bristol and
as a sibling support worker at Children’s Hospice South West. Both these
organisations specialise in supporting children, young people and their families.
I’m thankful to have met Stefano and Natalina through our time together at Children’s Hospice
South West. This setting gave me extensive experience, knowledge and insight
around the cycle of life, death and grief models. Working alongside siblings of
children with life limiting conditions, in the provision of support as they navigate their
‘lived experience’. My encounter with this service has been both profound and one I
regard as invaluable in my professional development. Themes presented in this work
included; end of life, death, bereavement, medicalised care, young carers, family
systems, school life and using a hospice. Integral to this work was being able to create meaningful connection through a relational process. Meeting the child/young person where there are, working with what they bring, listening to their voice, attunement to their needs, recognition of their specific needs and giving permission to “just be” - are all elements I regard as essential in my psychotherapeutic practice.
I’ve found that encouragement and engagement with creative expression and the
imagination; through movement, play, music, drama, and nature aides
children/young people to value their story, bring awareness to the interrelationship
between their thoughts, feelings and body, support them to regulate emotions, build
resilience, feel empowered, discover effective coping mechanisms and process their
unique journey. Working with movement and the body can be particularly useful
when working with complex issues related to attachment, gender, sexuality, eating
disorders, self-harm, trauma and abuse.
Prior to her role as a therapist at OTR. Nicky worked for Inspiring kids, Bath,
delivering DMP sessions for children in their homes. Before she trained as a DMP
Nicky was an adult dance and fitness teacher, performer and workshop facilitator.
What is DMP
Dance Movement Therapy (DMP) is a creative, body movement evidence-
based Psychotherapy. DMP “is a relational process in which client(s) and
therapist use body movement and dance as an instrument of
communication during the therapy process” (ADMP)
No dance and movement experience are required.
How can DMP be Helpful?
We experience the world through our bodies. Movement plays a central role in how
we express ourselves and connect with others. Working together creatively in DMP
can help:
Express and manage emotions.
Make sense of thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences.
Understand how movements are connected to the way you think (mind) and
feel (body).
Control impulsive behaviour and ability to maintain focus and attention
Develop social and communication skills. Explore how we interact with others
and increase ability to verbally communicate.
Improve motor, gross skills
Develop self-confidence, self-awareness and self-esteem
Improve body image.
Recognize and build strengths.
Further information on DMP can be found here
