Rate My Professor Rachael Stonard

Rachael-Louise Stonard is a Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts at the University of Derby and Programme Lead for the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy. She holds a BA (Hons) in Dance and an MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy. With more than ten years of experience in the third sector and education, she previously operated a successful independent practice that supported newly qualified therapists. Her clinical specialisation focuses on trauma-informed Dance Movement Psychotherapy for adults and children, encompassing work with survivors of domestic violence and abuse, victims of sexual crimes, individuals at risk of suicide, children and adolescents who self-harm, and post-adoption support through the Adoption Support Fund. She is a registered and practising member of the Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK and a UKCP Trainee. Stonard teaches several modules on the MA Dance Movement Psychotherapy, including Psyche Soma: The Mind and Body Relationship, Movement Observation and Analysis, Research Theory and Skills, and Experiential Group, while also facilitating clinical supervision and delivering the Human Development and Play module on the BA Creative Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing. Her research interests centre on recovery from trauma via embodied psychotherapy interventions, developmental psychology, identity formation, and the integration of neuroscience with psychotherapy. She has gained international experience through visits to New York, where she engaged with Dance Movement Therapists at the Laban Institute for Movement Studies. Stonard facilitates training for professionals, organisations and schools to promote trauma-informed practice, particularly for those working with children and young people displaying patterns of absconding, self-harm, dissociation and educational difficulties. She maintains an active personal practice in movement, yoga and classical music.