MOVEMENT THERAPY
MOVING THE BODY
You already know the benefits of exercise: decreased stress, anxiety, and depression; improved mood and sleep; and decreased feelings of loneliness and isolation. So, why don’t you do it? Movement Therapy is a way to process psychological experiences by incorporating aspects of talk therapy through bodily movement. This may include running, walking, stretching, yoga, and being in nature.
MOVEMENT THERAPY
LINDSAY ARCHER, LPCC, LADC
Lindsay Archer, LPCC, LADC practices Movement Therapy, which is an innovative way to process psychological experiences by incorporating talk therapy with bodily movement. Lindsay provides the opportunity to have counseling in nature—rather than sitting in a stuffy office—to increase natural endorphins and serotonin within the body. Lindsay lives in Mankato, Minnesota with her partner, Andrew, and their three young children.
ABOUT MOVEMENT THERAPY
If you do not like sitting around, or you want to try a different approach to traditional talk therapy, we offer various types movement therapies. Movement therapy implies that at times, you and your therapist will be active and even at times leave the office to move. You have choices such as yoga, stretching, walking, or running with your therapist during the therapy session. In addition, the children we work with love to walk to the river or the nearby playground, so we take psychotherapy into their world. Adults go for walks or runs on the paths near our office, so they can observe the variability of the Minnesota River (a metaphor for time and impermanence).
Movement therapy provides time to process different topics individuals are wanting to work on in therapy, while also moving their bodies. Incorporating movement during talk therapy allows your entire body to be engaged in what you are talking about. Movement, including running, can expand creativity in your thought process, improve your learning ability, and can help you feel more empowered in your activities.
Movement therapy offers a unique twist on traditional talk therapy, but few counselors are providing this service. The truth is, people find it easier to talk about difficult things in their life while they are side-by-side with someone, rather than face-to-face. For others, sitting still for a session can seem daunting, so movement helps them feel calm. Some may feel that they aren’t able to run or they cannot run and talk at the same time. Each session is individualized to the patient’s abilities and wants. For example, we may start with walking, or while running take breaks to walk, stretch, or sit and process their experience.
I have worked in mental health for 15 years, and I have experience working with diverse groups of people. I utilize a holistic approach in therapy and seek to understand each individual as a whole person. I use the information I gather with people to create achievable and maintainable goals. While movement therapy may be the modality of sessions oftentimes, we will also be incorporating different tools customized to fit each individual’s goals.
We can use meditation as another way to be attentive to physical feelings in the body and to witness emotions while letting go of thoughts or attachments to this. Research shows that seated meditation can reduce stress, improve emotional health, sleep, and enhance self-awareness. The practice of meditation will improve attention span and empathy, which consequentially generates kindness towards self and others. Meditation is a simple practice promoting concentrated attentive awareness as a proven benefit that can be done for as short or long as a person would like.
The theories I use in practice are primarily humanistic approaches. One of the primary ideas of humanistic theory is validating each person’s potential and experiences. I understand that each person is the expert of themselves, and I encourage self-exploration, self-awareness, and mindfulness to enhance each individual’s potential.
“Lindsay is such a great therapist! Anyone who has therapy with her will NOT be disappointed. She’s kind, caring, and FUN and EVERYTHING you want in a therapist! Lindsay and I used to work together and I learned so much from her. Keep doing awesome work.”
—Professional Colleague