GAYA HEALING ARTS
About
GAYA (HAITIAN KREYOL):
meaning healing and rebirth.
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NANCY HERARD-MARSHALL, LCAT, BC-DMT
Nancy Herard-Marshall is an African-centered dance/movement psychotherapist, authentic movement practitioner, Kemetic reiki practitioner, Kukuwa® African dance fitness instructor, wife and mother living in NYC. As a licensed creative arts therapist, she has clinical experience working with diverse populations such as inpatient acute psychiatric care, outpatient co-occurring addiction and mental health conditions, HIV/AIDS and chronic illness, special needs populations, and behavioral disorders. She has worked with individuals suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, autism, ADHD, depression, sexual abuse, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Her approach to psychotherapy blends expressive arts, attachment theory, transpersonal theory, optimal conceptual theory and other African-centered psychologies. Among her areas of expertise are treatment interventions for culturally diverse populations with an emphasis on the African Diaspora. Nancy has taught Intro to Dance Movement Therapy at The College of New Rochelle, and is a visiting instructor and curriculum consultant in the Creative Arts Therapy Department at Pratt Institute.
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Nancy is empathic, motivated, compassionate, and provides a positive outlook throughout treatment. She believes that each individual possesses self-healing powers and will work to guide you in harnessing yours to optimal capacity in order to create and achieve attainable goals.
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Professional Credentials
NYS License in Creative Arts Therapy (LCAT #002347)
Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT #1401)
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Education
MS, Dance/Movement Therapy (Pratt Institute)
BA, Multicultural Dance and Theatre in Education (SUNY Empire)
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Professional Affiliations
American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi)
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Mission Statement
Gaya Healing Arts Center’s mission is to provide a space for primary and alternative services through creative and expressive arts therapies to the Harlem community. The private practice reflects the understanding of the body-mind-spirit connection and utilizes the power of the healing arts to further self-expression, healing, personal growth, and the treatment of physical, neurological, and social issues. The center’s philosophy is based on the African philosophy of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a Zulu word with a fluid meaning that translates to “seeing the humanity in others.” It shares the belief that ‘I am what I am because of who we all are.” Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness.” As a mental health practitioner of African descent, I hold the philosophy of Ubuntu by first and foremost seeing the person and not the diagnosis. This is reflected in the level of care, empathy and respect that is provided to all of my clients.
Who We Are
Gaya Healing Arts Center is a creative arts therapy and healing private practice with a therapist that shares cultural backgrounds with the majority of the Harlem and Upper Manhattan communities served.
What We Do
Gaya Healing Arts Center provides psychotherapy services, workshops and groups through the use of dance and movement as a primary mode of expression, exploration and catharsis to provide healing and transformation. Combined with other healing modalities and verbal processing within the context of a supportive therapeutic relationship, these services address such issues as anxiety, depression, stress, loss, life transitions, self-esteem, interpersonal skills and relationships, personal development and creativity. Nancy also specializes in addressing race-based trauma and its compounded affects on the lives of her clients.
TESTIMONIALS
“Nancy is one of the most gentle therapists that I have ever experienced. Her ability to help me cope with my performance anxiety through mindfulness and body-based work was instrumental in helping me to find joy again in what I do for a living "
M., Performer
"Nancy has inspired me to do better and I have now gone back to school to train for a new career. I feel much happier and at ease with my life and I look at my vision board and Joy and Faith rocks every day."
K., Mom and student
"There was a mindful, thoughtful and comprehensisve check-in that I felt lended to the whole experience. I loved the inward journey as well knowing that my energy was being repaired, moved and tended to. I would have loved it to last all day! It was so powerful! I profoundly feel that she has an innate and powerful gift in this lightwork."
Lisa, Dancer and Dance Therapist
Kemetic Reiki Client