Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Miller. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I look back at what has gotten me to where I am today, it is because I have taken multiple risks, always betting on myself. I struggled in college to find my purpose. I was taking classes that I didn’t like because it was what I thought I was supposed to do. But there was one day when I finally realized I was on the wrong path and I needed to come up with a different plan! After one quick Google search my life was changed forever. I had discovered Dance/Movement Therapy and I knew in an instant that was what I was supposed to be when I grew up! I then took a risk, I moved away from my comfortable support network in Michigan and moved out to New York City. I truly experienced culture shock moving from farm country to the big city. But I did it, and to this day I do not regret that move! But that is not to say I never looked back…I did, I had left my family and my life back in the Mitten State, and I quickly realized that I would move back. But that too was a risk. In New York Dance/Movement Therapy was a known profession, there was a large network of other therapists, there was a state license, there were JOBS! Back in Michigan there was barely anything! When I was in school there were 6 dance therapists in the entire state…I made number 7 when I moved back. As I was getting ready to return to my home state I tried to connect with the other professionals, most never responded…the one that did said “Good Luck, you are going to need a different degree to work here”. But that did not stop me, and even made me more motivated to prove all of them wrong! I took another chance on me, I sent so many cold emails, applied for jobs that I knew I was qualified for, but didn’t have the “right” education for, just to try and get someone to talk to me, and take the same risk I was taking. And it worked! I was able to find a full time job, that was willing and excited for me to bring Dance/Movement Therapy to their organization. I had done it! I had proved everyone wrong…or so I thought. After about a year at that full time job I knew that I had to leave, but did not really have anything to fall back on. That is when I went from 1 job to 5 jobs….yes FIVE! I left the regular paycheck so I could work for organizations that valued what I contributed. I was changing my plan AGIAN, and I did that up until COVID. I had made it work, but I wasn’t happy, so I knew it was time for another change. The pandemic made me slow down and helped me find the stability I was craving. I finally went full into one organization, and that is where I am today. I have learned to trust myself, and even if it feels like a risk, when I listen to my gut it all works out in the end!

Sarah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a dance/movement therapist. Similar to Art Therapy or Music Therapy, I use dance to help others care for their mental health. My work is based on the Body-Mind connection. People tend to get into trouble when they ignore what their body is telling them, so I help them understand what their body is telling them, and also then how to use their body as a resource. Currently I work with neuro-divergent children and adults. This can mean they have some sort of developmental delay or disability, anxiety, ADHD or trauma. I discovered the profession while in college, but I had grown up dancing, and knew what the art form had done for me personally. And not only that I had always known that I wanted to help people when I grew up…I changed my mind a lot, but I always want to help!
I am proud of the growing awareness and acceptance of Dance/Movement Therapy. I frequently go out into the community and talk about what it is that I do, and when I first started when I entered the room no one had ever heard of the profession. Now I will ask if anyone has ever heard of Dance/Movement Therapy and there are now some that will raise their hands. I know that I am part of that change, and I continue to be a big advocate for my profession. I am also proud of the work my clients do! Whenever I have a client reach a goal or move a new way I am so happy to see their hard work and commitment to change pay off!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely not! I love being a Dance/Movement Therapist. There are days when my day is filled with singing and dancing with kids. I get to roll around and be silly, all while helping kids become the best version of themselves! I cannot imagine having a job where all I do is look at my computer all day. I do spend a lot of my days working in front of a screen, but that time is spent preparing and creating new programs for my clients to participate in, and then I get to help implement that plan!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

There are two things that have helped build my reputation. The first is the success of my clients. If all I was doing was talking about the benefits but I didn’t have anything to show for it, skeptical people wouldn’t believe me. Mental Health still has such a stigma surrounding it, and so many people only see the creative arts as something pretty to watch. It is a hard sell, so having proof really helps. The other thing that has helped is my passion. I will talk to everyone and anyone that will listen. And I truly believe in the work that I do. If I did not love my job and my profession, other people would not believe in me or the work that I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: therapycenter.org
• Instagram: @mi_dmt_collective

Image Credits
Headshot: Love; Photography by Katie Vanderwal All others are from Comprehensive Therapy Center’s Facebook page