Simone Kleinlooh
Education and experience
After attending a professional dance education at two Dutch Dance Academies
I worked as a professional dancer in television and theatre productions in the
Netherlands as well as abroad. In between I took professional dance classes and placements in
New York, France and the Netherlands. From 1985 until 2011 I owned a balletschool which is
now being managed by a faculty of former students.
Knowing what dance means to one’s personal
development and my interest in psychology motivated me to study Dance Movement Therapy at the
Master Dance Therapy at CODARTS in Rotterdam. This education is originally based on the educational
requirements of the American Dance Therapy Association and the international well-known dance therapists and
teachers; Miriam Roskin Berger, Judith Bunney, Robin Cruz and Zvika Frank
inspired and formed my professional vision, working and teaching style.
After receiving my degree in 1994 I have been working as a dance therapist for
several mental health institutions. In my private practice I offer dance movement
therapy and supervision to individuals, groups, students and professionals.
On request I give lectures, workshops and trainings focussing on processes of change through movement and dance.
As a lecturer and experienced dance therapist in dance movement therapy
I work at the two Universities in the Netherlands that offer a dance therapy education program.
Besides teaching, organization and advisory tasks my main focus is on the promotion of dance
movement therapy in general and I am one of the initiators of Codarts’ Arts for Health, a Centre
for prevention, treatment and research based on the use of the Arts in Health related issues.
Since 2012 I am involved in dance therapy in China.
Learning is finding out what you already know.
Doing is demonstrating that you know it.
Teaching is reminding others that they know it just as well as you.
Richard Bach, Illusions
Vision
The basis for my vision regarding dance therapy first originates from my experiences as a
dancer and dance teacher and then synthesized with my life experience. Being comfortable in
your own body has the highest priority before dance technique and performance (shape,
expression and behaviour) can take place. A good teacher, coach or therapist creates an
environment in which the student, individual or client can experience him- of herself and
can practice that experience. A complete accepting attitude, focussed guidance, a sharp and
well developed observational and analytical ability next to a broad knowledge of the body
and its (expressive) capabilities is needed in order to accommodate growth and change
during a (dance) lesson or dance(therapy). In this way new behaviour can emerge and
develop further. Only then can the student, individual or client show his/herself
during the lesson (therapy) or on stage (to others) and in life itself. In my work
as a teacher and therapist and as a person I try to remain true to my vision, by
coaching myself in the same manner whereby an open and accepting stance and personal
growth remain possible.
The basis for my vision regarding dance therapy first originates from my experiences as a
dancer and dance teacher and then synthesized with my life experience. Being comfortable in
your own body has the highest priority before dance technique and performance (shape,
expression and behaviour) can take place. A good teacher, coach or therapist creates an
environment in which the student, individual or client can experience him- of herself and
can practice that experience. A complete accepting attitude, focussed guidance, a sharp and
well developed observational and analytical ability next to a broad knowledge of the body
and its (expressive) capabilities is needed in order to accommodate growth and change
during a (dance) lesson or dance(therapy). In this way new behaviour can emerge and
develop further. Only then can the student, individual or client show his/herself
during the lesson (therapy) or on stage (to others) and in life itself. In my work
as a teacher and therapist and as a person I try to remain true to my vision, by
coaching myself in the same manner whereby an open and accepting stance and personal
growth remain possible.
Membership
- Dutch Federation of Professionals in Arts Therapy: FVB
- Dutch Association for Dance Therapy: NVDAT
- American Dance Therapy Association: ADTA
- Established independent therapists: ZGVT
- Dutch Association for Supervision & Coaching: LVSC
Registration
- Master Degree in Dance Therapy (MDaT)
- Master Thesis: 'A Meaning in Suffering' (2008): Area of interest: Male Childhood Sexual Abuse & DMT.
- Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist (BC-DMT - 1170) at; American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
- Senior Registration: (nr.1010002763) Registered supervisor; Dutch Organization for Registered Professionals in Arts Therapy (SRVB)
- Registered supervisor Dutch Association for Supervision & Coaching (LVSC) and is bound by the code of conduct for supervisors of the LVSC. Registrationnumber: (nr: S 12776)