MELISSA BRIGGS, R-DMT APCC
THERAPIST | APCC #12824
Hi, I’m Melissa!
I’m a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). I’m also a member of the American Dance Therapy Association. I hold a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance Performance with a Ballet emphasis from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where I graduated in May of 2020, summa cum laude. I also received my M.A. from Lesley University in May 2022, in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. I am currently working towards Board Certification in Dance/Movement Therapy under the supervision of a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and also work under a licensed clinical mental health professional as I prepare for my full clinical mental health license.
I have worked with adolescents and individuals with special needs in partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, in the areas of trauma, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, most of which included dual diagnoses. I have also worked in residential care and treatment for those 18+ who sought relief and recovery from mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, complicated grief, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, psychosis, and co-occurring disorders of substance misuse, disordered eating, gaming, and social media addictions.
I am devoted to using Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) in conjunction with other expressive and integrative therapies, to promote healing and positive self-transformation to overcome and manage trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other challenges. DMT is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of each individual, for the purpose of improving health, self-esteem, body-image, and well-being.
My theoretical framework is based upon Chacian DMT, and I use the Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) to support, observe, assess, and offer treatment with appropriate interventions in my DMT practice. I also use Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) theories, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Grief Therapy, along with psychological approaches including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and incorporates Mindfulness, Psychoanalytic Theory, Adlerian Psychology, Humanistic Psychology, Jungian Psychotherapy, and Relational Therapy techniques in my multi-dimensional approach to treatment.
I believe that building a therapeutic relationship tailored to meet the needs of the moment is a key factor for enhancing insight and growth in every individual.
In addition to my therapeutic work, I dance professionally with The Realm Company, a contemporary ballet company based in Santa Monica, CA. I also hold a Ballet Teaching Certification from The Royal Academy of Dance in London and have been a dancer from a young age as well as a dance teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy dance, pilates, hiking, drinking matcha tea, and spending time with family and friends.
Supervised by: Mary Speight, LMFT #51793
SPECIALIZATIONS
Dance/Movement Therapy
Anxiety
Depression
Codependency
Eating Disorders
Trauma
Grief
CBT
DBT
IFS
Jungian
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Client-centered
Mindfulness
PTSD
Young adults/Adults
Boundaries
Relationship Issues
LOCATIONS
LA Office
Telehealth
INSURANCES ACCEPTED
Anthem Blue Cross Commercial (HMO/PPO)
MHN/Healthnet Medi-Cal
Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal
Aetna
Cigna
Optum/United
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