“I knew that once I discovered the program at Sarah Lawrence that I had found my true purpose.”
In 2016, Brittney Gibson MS ‘19 came to a crossroads in her career. Feeling unfulfilled professionally, Brittney decided that she needed to make a change rooted in self-reflection. “I looked back on what gave me the greatest sense of joy, peace, and accomplishment and that was dance.” Brittney took the first step towards fulfilling this passion by applying to Sarah Lawrence’s Dance/Movement Therapy Program. Today, as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Brittney is able to guide others on their path to healing, which she says is her “true purpose in life.”
Why did you decide to pursue your MS in Dance/Movement Therapy at SLC?
I was drawn to the program’s intimate class size and commitment to preparing students for practical application beyond the classroom. Sarah Lawrence faculty were compassionate, supportive, and nurtured my growth not only as a future clinician but as a person.
Is there a tenet of the program that particularly resonates with you?
I appreciate the program’s embodied approach towards learning and understanding theoretical frameworks. In classes, we were able to explore the material in creative/non-conventional ways.
What was the dynamic of your cohort?
My cohort felt like family. We laughed, we cried, challenged each other, and truly supported one another during our time in the program. We still maintain a cohort group chat and check in with one another.
How did your clinical placements engage with your coursework?
I had the opportunity to work with both children and adults in my fieldwork and internship placements. This allowed me to hone my skills as a clinician and work with patients of all different ages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and diagnoses. After completing my internship hours and graduating, I was offered a full-time position at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx.
What advice would you give to a prospective student?
My advice to any prospective student is to understand your why. What is your own connection to dance/movement? How has it transformed your life? What are you hoping to gain? I knew that once I discovered the program at Sarah Lawrence that I had found my true purpose. The quote by Maryam Hasnaa captures the essence of what I strive for everyday in my clinical work. “A healer does not heal you. A healer is someone who holds space for you while you awaken your inner healer so that you may heal yourself.”