Dance Movement Therapy Association in Canada
IDEAS Resources
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Solidarity
Our IDEAS Committee is dedicated to enacting DMTAC's values of inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and solidarity. We are excited to share the following resources with you. If you would like to join this committee or have other resources to add please do not hesitate to reach out to info@dmtac.org. There is much crucial and continued work to do in this area as our profession grows in Canada!
Our Values
DMTAC’s Statement on Racism and Discrimination
The Dance Movement Therapy Association in Canada strongly condemns racism, police violence, colonial violence, and forms of discrimination based on race, sex, gender, age, or ability. Stopping racism and systemic discrimination takes our collective movement and commitment to sustained action. We acknowledge that in order to stop racism and systemic discrimination, it is crucial to understand where these ideals come from, how systems such as white supremacy and colonization were created, and how they continue to impact us today.
We stand in solidarity with all those who seek to create a free, fair and truly inclusive society, here in Canada and around the world. We will not be silent in the face of injustice, bigotry or racialized violence.
As an association of DMT’s, we believe movement is at its most powerful when it includes and connects people. We will continue to support, promote and celebrate the work of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in our field and in emotional wellness professions. We will advocate for, listen to and fight for injustice, equality, inclusion , and real change in our society.
DMTAC’s Accessibility Statement
DMTAC recognizes that accessibility is crucial to ensuring that our organization and offerings remain valuable, supportive, and respectful to our members and wider community. Our committee will make all possible efforts to anticipate barriers, share resources, and address concerns as they arise. We believe that accessibility must be at the centre of our organizational processes, our work with clients, and our relationships within our community, and hope that this orientation will support our members in feeling a sense of belonging and increase opportunities to participate, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.
The IDEAS committee is open to feedback, questions, concerns, and suggestions on how we can best support our members. You can fill out the contact form below or email info@dmtac.org to share your feedback.
What the IDEAS Committee has done so far:
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Created the Group Agreement document for DMTAC events
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Created Event Feedback and Complaint/feedback forms
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Integrated IDEAS values into DMTAC's Accreditation process
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Formation of the IDEAS committee
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Developed our resource library for continuing education in IDEAS principles
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Supported the development of DMTAC's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Things we’re working towards:
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Integrating accessibility within all our communications (website, social media, newsletter, etc.)
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Financial access to events and accreditation
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Geographical access to events and use of accessible spaces
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Access to DMTAC regional/local community
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Training members on IDEAS themes and accessible practices
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Reviewing goals and actions towards anticipating needs and barriers
IDEAS Definitions
Inclusion is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, age, socioeconomic background, belief system, and ability and/or other intersections of identity. Inclusion provides space for a variety of individuals to be recognized, appreciated, and valued within the group.
Diversity is the variety of individual characteristics, unique dimensions, and qualities we all possess and how they mix and interplay within a group. Strong and diverse groups are made of a range of individuals with varying identities which add their own value to the collective. These include, but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, age, socioeconomic background, belief system, and ability.
Equity entails actively working to identify and address any systemic barriers (e.g. discriminatory structures, deprivation of resources, lack of opportunity) or biases that may be impacting certain groups of people. Equity involves ensuring that all people have equal access to opportunities, resources, and benefits, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, age, socioeconomic background, belief system, and ability or any other characteristic that could potentially lead to discrimination or bias.
Accessibility is a practice that identifies and responds to barriers that impact the degree to which something can be easily accessed, used, or enjoyed by individuals. Responding to these barriers means anticipating needs, sharing knowledge and information, and providing resources when necessary. Accessibility provides equitable opportunities to all those who want to participate, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.
Solidarity is a dimension of relationships that emphasizes the cohesive social bond that holds a group together, which is valued and understood by all group members. Solidarity emphasizes the interdependence between individuals in a collective, which allows individuals to feel that they add value to the group.
Resources
Other
More resources will be released soon!
We're learning too!
All of the resources listed have been chosen with care by members of the IDEAS committee, however, we acknowledge that we have undoubtedly missed something or unknowingly included misinformation. Please reach out and let us know if there is a resource that you feel belongs on this page, or if you feel there is a resource that needs to be removed, and we will gladly consider it and take action as needed.
Meet The Team
Kerri Murphy Phillips (they/them)
I am a queer-identifying therapist and wellness facilitator with a passion for integrating movement, mindfulness, and holistic healing. My journey began in my teenage years with yoga and dance, deepening during my studies at York University. I later completed my 500hr Modo Teacher Training in 2018 and various certifications, including Trauma-informed Yoga and Kids Yoga.
In 2022, I graduated from Pratt Institute with a Master’s in Dance/Movement Therapy, becoming a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist. My practice focuses on fostering authenticity, emotional expression, and long-term wellness through a queer-inclusive, anti-oppressive lens. I provide a safe, compassionate space for clients to explore their bodies, emotions, and identities.
Healing, for me, is a shared journey, and I offer clients the tools and support to build resilience, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. I believe in embracing wholeness, not perfection, and I strive to create an environment where all individuals feel seen, heard, and validated.
I am also an artist, an explorer, and a goofball—values of curiosity, empathy, and openness shape how I work and connect with others.
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Jessica Houghton (she/her)
I am a Registered Psychotherapist, Dance Movement Psychotherapist, educator, and dance artist working in private practice in Toronto, where I offer individual and group therapy, as well as educational and personal development workshops, serving the neurodivergent, LGBTQIA2S+, and adult mental health communities. I am queer, autistic, and have a family background of Italian and English settlers.
I completed my MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy in the UK, where I researched the benefits of DMT for survivors of sexual trauma, and worked in adult and childhood mental health in hospital, community and school settings.
My passion is to create supportive spaces where clients can access their embodied intuition and explore the richness of their internal world through creative movement. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of dance and movement, and am committed to supporting the development of DMT as a profession in Canada, especially in integrating IDEAS values.
Outside of my professional work, I am a gardener, hermit, musical theatre enthusiast, and proud dog mom.
Camille Lainesse-Morin (she/her)
Dancing since a young age, Camille has completed the Alternate Route at the National
Centre for Dance Therapy in 2024 and wishes that arts, movement and the body take a
greater place in the health and social service field in Canada.
She has had experience as a dance therapist student with people with Alzheimer’s disease, general public and women with breast cancer. She is an occupational therapist that works in Quebec City with adults and elderly autistic people and/or people living with an intellectual disability.
Camille is sensitive to the reality and issues of marginalized populations and values
advocacy for vulnerable individuals and their families. She has an interest in subjects
related to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and social justice and this is why she
joined the committee. She hopes that members will feel at ease to reach out to the
committee for any suggestion or question.
Karthiha Parthiban (she/her)
Karthiha is a dedicated dance educator and researcher, currently pursuing her PhD at Tamil University, India. She collaborates with South Asian community organizations across the Greater Toronto Area, including the Vasantham Tamil Wellness Centre, to develop culturally responsive dance movement therapy programs for South Asian seniors. She also serves as a Community Health Ambassador for South Asian in GTA.
Since 2015, she has served as the lead instructor at Abhinayakshetra Fine Arts Canada, where she offers classes for all levels, in addition to workshops and public talks. With a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam - Indian classical dance, combined with in-depth research on Tamil folk dance traditions, Karthiha empowers participants, particularly those recovering from trauma caused by natural disasters or civil wars within diaspora communities to reconnect with their thoughts, emotions, and bodies through mindful movement and expressive dance sessions.