DANCE THERAPY FOR ALL BODIES

We are excited to offer Dance Therapy at Eat Love Live in 2026 to new and existing clients - all bodies welcome. Dance therapy at Eat Love Live combines gentle movement and talk therapy to support intellectual, emotional and motor functions of the body. 

In the realm of Dance Therapy, the term “dance” does not imply mastering specific moves or being the best groover on the dance floor. It’s not a fitness class or a performance showcase, and there’s certainly no dress code requiring lycra, sequins, or slicked back ponytails - although all are always welcome! Instead, Dance Therapy is about exploring the connection between mind and body, seeking to use movement for wellness. It is about community and connection and supporting one another.

Dance therapy is an option to explore and process body trauma, body image distress and body confidence in a safe and connected environment with others who can relate.

What takes place in A class?

Our inclusive body image and dance therapy classes feature two types of therapy - dance therapy and talk therapy. 

Classes are 1.5 hours in length, featuring 45 minutes of dance therapy and 45 minutes of group talk therapy.

Dance therapy component

Dance therapy is facilitated by Hadassah David who lives in a straight sized body and comes with lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder.

Classes are tailored to those present, with no “right” or “wrong” way to engage. Some may prefer to stay seated, take breaks during the session or even focus on using one body part. How you choose to participate is entirely up to you. We often use props, music and creative processes to bring forth movement, so there are multiple ways of engaging regardless of movement preferences or mobility.

Each class begins with a brief warm-up to some good tunes to connect with ourselves, the space around us and those in the room. Transitioning into the focus of the session, we delve into a theme that guides our movement exploration. Themes may include cultivating body awareness, self expression, connections with others, building healthy boundaries, exploring values and habits, exertion vs. recuperation and listening to the “body voice” among other topics.

Each theme is presented in a structured way with the therapists guiding you every step of the journey. 

Talk therapy component

Talk therapy is facilitated by Dr Jessica Green who is a clinical psychologist who lives in a fat body and comes with lived experiences of recovery from an eating disorder.

Talk therapy is about a safe space for connection and discussion about topics that the group decides together. We will create group guidelines together to create a way to ensure safety in the group before talking about topics raised by the group. We will
have back up topics if no one has anything to bring to the group on a particular night. It is about community and connection and supporting one another.

Evidence informed program with positive evaluation to date! 

As presented at ANZAED Conference August 2025: Oral Presentation: Dance movement therapy and talk therapy for clients in fat bodies

Dance Movement Therapy Improved:

• Fatphobia for 50% of participants

• Social connection for 75% of participants 

• Overall mental health for 56% of participants
  
  

Psychological therapy improved: 

• Fatphobia for 81% of participants 

• Social connection for 88% of participants 

• Overall mental health for 63% of participants.

WHO WILL BE RUNNING CLASSES?

Dr Jessica Green (left) is a Senior Clinical Psychologist who specialises in child and adolescent, eating disorders and perinatal mental health support.  Jessica identifies as living in a fat body and comes to the group with lived experience of recovery from an eating disorder.  Hadassah David (right) is a Creative Arts Therapist who specialises in the modality of movement and comes to the group with lived experience of recovering from an eating disorder.  Hadassah is passionate about healing through the art form of dance, be it through her own choreography or creating space for people’s inner worlds to be expressed through movement.

WHEN DO CLASSES RUN?

HOW CAN I BOOK A CLASS?

For more information on dance therapy, including how to secure your spot per term, please complete the Contact Form on Dr Jessica Green's website and one of our dance therapy facilitators will get back to you shortly!