About Me

A smiling woman with curly hair standing outdoors in front of a structure with horizontal lines.

My journey to becoming a therapist began through dance. If I had to describe this journey in one sentence, it would be: I am a hip-hop dancer turned salsa dancer turned creative arts therapist. I love to admire mountains, eat biryani and cuddle with my dog. I am a textbook ambivert and somehow, am always catching up on my texts!

I myself have found deep healing and catharsis through movement and became intrigued by its transformative power. Because of this, I place great value on the lived experiences of my clients and deeply believe that they are the best experts on themselves. I have a deep focus on knowledge sharing and believe that with the right tools and support systems, people can thrive!

My private practice was birthed from my desire to offer professional, collaborative, and ethical mental health support that mirrored both tools and support for individuals who feel strained by trying to “do it all.” Over the past decade, I have cultivated a global practice grounded in embodied therapeutic processes and a deep commitment to accessibility, ethics, and cultural sensitivity.

Career Overview

  • I have 10 years of multi-cultural experience in the field of mental health - spanning across New York, Nepal, India, the Dominican Republic, and now, Australia.

    In addition to my private practice, I currently work as a co-faculty member at the University of Melbourne, where I teach in the Master of Creative Arts Therapy course a few days a week. I’m deeply invested in building resilience in my clients, and on the other days, I focus on researching and developing new resources that enable people to take a more active role in their own well-being.

    • Doctor of Philosophy, Mental Health & Creative Arts Therapy | University of Melbourne

    • Master of Science, Dance/Movement Therapy | Pratt Institute

    • Foundational Course in Creative Arts Therapies (Dance, Drama and Art Therapies)

    • Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Sociology and Literature

    • Registered Creative Arts Therapist | New Zealand Creative Arts Therapy Association, Australia

    • Board-Certified Dance Movement Therapist | American Dance Therapy Association, USA

    • Certification Board Licensed Creative Arts Therapist | New York State, USA (on pause while offshore)

    • Christopher, N. (2025). A dance of possibilities: A three-study inquiry of dance/movement therapy as an intervention in treatment resistant depression (J. Tamplin, S. Goodill, & E. Dumaresq, Eds.).

    • Christopher, N., Tamplin, J., Dumaresq, E., & Goodill, S. (2025). Investigating the Effects of Group Dance Movement Therapy Sessions in Adults Living with Treatment Resistant Depression: A Mixed Method Case Series. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 102270. 10.1016/j.aip.2025.102270

    • Christopher, N., Dumaresq, E., & Tamplin, J. (2025). Dance therapy as an intervention for stress and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, 20(1), 22-39.10.1080/17432979.2024.2377389

    • Christopher, N. (2024). Treatment resistant depression: a critical reflection on missing oral narratives in dance therapy literature. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy, 19 (4), 397 -407 10.1080/17432979.2024.2323072

    • Christopher, N. (2024). Problem Solving in Dance/Movement Therapy Research: Developing an Intervention Protocol for Adults Living with Treatment Resistant Depression. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 46(2), 167- 188. 10.1007/s10465-024-09403-1

    • Christopher, N., Tamplin, J (2022), The Use of Kinesthetic Empathy with Adults. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 44, 115–142. doi.org/10.1007/s10465-022-09371-4

    • Kashyap, T., & Christopher, N. (2020), Dance Movement Therapy in the times of Coronavirus Disease of 2019: A Summary of 5 qualitative interviews in understanding Tele-DMT in India. Journal of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1(1), 40-65.

    • Christopher, N. (2018), My DMT Practice. Indian Magazine of Dance/Movement Therapy. Edited by A. Doshi

      https://cmtaiexpressivearts.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/my-dmt-practice/

  • Tenured Faculty, The University of Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia)(Ongoing)

    Core faculty, subject co-ordinator & lecturer for the subjects in the Masters in Creative Arts Therapy.

    • Subjects taught:

      • Dance Movement Therapy Methods 1, 3, 4

      • Creative Arts Therapy in Healthcare Settings

      • Evaluation of Wellbeing in Creative Arts Therapy

    • With signifiant contributions towards developing:

      • Dance Movement Therapy Methods 1, 3

      • Creative Arts Therapy in Healthcare Settings

    • Teaching Support

      • Research Methods 1

    Past

    • Visiting Faculty, St. Xavier’s College (Mumbai, India)

      Invited to deliver annual guest lectures on Telehealth DMT practices and Poly-vagal Theory at the post graduate diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy offered by St. Xaviers College.

    • Creative Arts Therapy Tutor, Deakin University, (Melbourne, Australia)

      Sessional Lecturer for the subject ‘Creative Arts Therapy Approaches and Practices’ (undergraduate level) at Deakin University, Australia.

    • Dance Therapy Faculty & Supervisor, St. Mira’s College (Pune, India)

      Core faculty at the post-graduate diploma course in dance movement therapy by St Mira’s college in collaboration with Artsphere.

    • Dance Therapy Faculty & Supervisor, The Creative Movement Therapy Association of India (New Delhi, India)

      Teaching faculty and clinical supervisor at the certification course in Dance Movement Therapy course offered by The Creative Movement Therapy Association of India.

    • Consultant Trainer, Elijah Counselling And Training (Kathmandu, Nepal)

      Invited to deliver a 10-week staff training on integrating principles of dance therapy for practicing psychologists; with an emphasis on trauma care and mental health first aid.

    • Consultant Trainer, The British School (Kathmandu, Nepal)

      Invited to deliver a series of guest lectures on integrating dance therapy principles in school settings.

    • Founding Board Member | Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy (IADMT) (Delhi, India, & virtual) - 2020 onwards

    • Standards and Ethics Committee Member  | American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)(virtual) - 2020 to present

    • Co-Chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander & Desi Affinity Group | ADTA (virtual) - 2021 to present

    • Project Manager Project Manager | U&I Charity (Bangalore, India) - 2020

    • IT Chair, New York State Chapter of The American Dance Therapy Association | ADTA (virtual) - 2016-2017

    • Student Liaison | ADTA New York Chapter (New York, USA) - 2014, 2016

    • Intern at The Dept. of Forensic Psychiatry | Bellevue Hospital & Kings County Hospital (New York, USA) - 2015

    • Creative Arts Therapy Intern | Fundación Crecimiento Comunitario Proyectando Esperanza, Inc. FUCPE (La Romana, Dominican Republic)

  • Learn more about what I’m focusing my research and time on these days.

My Values

Colloborative

At the heart of my work is empathy and colloaboration, I do believe that you are the expert on your life and I skillfully use my expertise to help you navigate your current challenge/s.

Black and white image of a cat sitting on a windowsill, looking outside.

Person-Centred

There is no one size fit all and I have deeply interwoven this value into my work. I lay emphasis on understanding my clients and their concerns from an individual and holistic perspective simultaneously.

Line drawing of a woman with two faces, one in profile and one facing forward, sharing a neck.

Body-Focused

I believe that the mind-body are connected, and I actively focus on understanding emotional triggers and responses in the body.

Outline drawing of a person sitting with arms wrapped around knees, a plant with flowers growing from their head.

Recognizing Unique Stressors Of Disability & Chronic Illness

I recognize that persons with visible and invisible disabilities may have a complex relationship with care practitioners. I acknowledge the stressors that specifically accompany chronic illness and disability. I will value and trust what you share with me.

Black and white map with a train illustration in the center, with labels and a legend at the top.

Neuro-Queer Affirmative

I respect and understand the complexities of assigned birth and socially-aligned gender norms. I do not engage in conversion therapy of any kind. As a cis-het woman, I acknowledge that I will never fully understand the stressors specifically faced by members of the LGBTQIA++ community. I will trust you and work alongside what you choose to bring to the therapy space.

Outline of a human brain in front of a colorful rainbow background
Embodied Conversations

I am currently part of the tenured part time faculty at the Master of Creative Arts Therapy program at the University of Melbourne, and teach with mental health organizations across India and Nepal.

Teaching

The logo of the University of Melbourne featuring a shield with a winged figure holding a branch and the Latin motto POSTERA CRESCAM LAUDE, and the words THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE below.
Uni Melb Profile

I have published widely in leading journals including The Arts in Psychotherapy, The American Journal of Dance Therapy, and Body, and Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy. My doctoral research on treatment-resistant depression found that dance therapy reduced cortisol levels, increased adaptivity, and decreased helplessness among participants. Across three interrelated studies, my PhD illuminated the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms underpinning embodied resilience.

Researching

Stack of six hardcover books in various colors including green, yellow, black, and brown.
ORCiD Profile

As a passionate advocate for unlearning and knowledge sharing, I continue to explore the intersection of neuroscience and dance therapy. I am particularly interested in uncovering the therapeutic potential of telehealth versus in-person therapy.

Exploring

A digitally manipulated image of a three-leafed plant with a distorted, swirling effect.
Resources

Current Curiosities

I care deeply for inclusivity and knowledge sharing. Both these are core values drive my academic work and scholarship. Here’s what I’m currently curious about, delving into, and learning more intentionally about.