Embodied Conversations
An embodied conversation is about moving beyond just talking about your experience and being present with how you think and feel in any given moment simultaneously.
‘Embodied Conversation’ is a therapeutic style I’ve developed, rooted in the science of embodied cognition and dance movement therapy, where the conversation unfolds not just between you and me, but also between you and your body.
At their core, Embodied Conversations are really about authentic conversations. Let’s explore the practice with an example: in anxious moments, many people focus only on the racing thoughts - the ‘what if’s’ and the mental loops that never seem to end. The anxiety can also get worse when you engage with these what if’s over and over again. Since most mental health experiences - like anxiety - aren’t just in your mind, but also in your body, it can show up as fluttering in your stomach, a tightening chest or a racing heart, and in a number of other ways.
Through embodied conversations, we can practice:
Noticing and processing your physical experiences while understanding your mental patterns, you can begin to interrupt anxious cycles before they take hold, and on
Widening your window of tolerance (refer to image), and start to address symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma responses from a non-pharmacological lens.
While I am sharing this example of anxiety, we can use this practice to move through various other mental, emotional, and behavioural challenges - and yes, it's genuinely possible.
Figure above: A visual representation of the window of tolerance (NICABM, 2019; Siegel, 2020) Self-published work, Tianne Casey CC-BY-SA-4.0
By using an embodied approach, you give yourself a better chance to overcome challenging emotions and even communicate in a clearer manner with others.
The Science Behind Embodiment
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No, at least not the popular understanding of dance.
There are two forms of embodied conversations. Sometimes, my approach includes ‘deep body listening’ through verbal reflection and embodiment. And sometimes it includes movement explorations, even within the telehealth space.
Movement is not about ‘aesthetic movement’ or ‘dance technique’ at all. It’s really about listening to your body, responding authentically, and reconnecting with yourself on a deeper, embodied level.
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Research in embodiment and psychotherapy shows that attuning to bodily awareness, particularly, our interoception (think: inner sensations) can deepen emotional regulation and resilience (Farb et al., 2015; Koch et al., 2019). This is something we can practice in our work together.
This approach has been shown to improve management strategies symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhance mood, and strengthen self-awareness and resilience (Karkou et al., 2019; Christopher et al., 2024; Koch et al., 2019; Alsaqer, K., et al., 2025; Peters, H.J., 2012). -
Several cultures, sociologists, and even empirical evidence scientists have begun to agree that our body carry stories, memories, sensations, and emotions that sometimes speak through symptoms rather than words.
In fact, research shows how this kind of embodied engagement helps regulate the nervous system, enhance self-awareness, and support healing (Koch & Harvey, 2020; Dieterich-Hartwell, 2025).
Simailarly, participants in my recent research working with adults experiencing treatment resistant depression, also had desired outcomes including…“reduced cortisol levels, better coping strategies and reduces sense of hopelessness” (Christopher et al., 2025), after engaging in 12 weeks of sessions with me.
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I’m glad you asked! Take a look below at the kind of work that has informed my understanding of embodied conversations.
Check out my Resources page to know more about my own research contributions on the topics of dance/movement therapy and the use of embodiment in therapy.
During in-person therapy, we can use other props and tools to facilitate embodied conversations. Take a look below at the kind of work that has informed my understanding of embodied conversations.
Workshop on “Rhythms of Wellness” in collaboration with Dr Cindy Lai, R-MT | Melbourne, 2025
Workshop on embodied vision boards in collaboration with Ingenious Faces| New Delhi, India, 2020
Self organised post-partum mental health awareness with local NGO’s | Jaipur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, & New Delhi, 2019
Photo Credit: I CAN foundation
Workshop on navigating compassion fatigue, invited by The Asia for Animal Conference| Kathmandu, Nepal, 2018
Photo Credit: KD
Workshop on Arts for health in collaboration with Katha Ghera | Kathmandu, Nepal, 2018
Photo Credit: KD
Workshop on Creative Arts Therpay for the Self, titled, ‘Arts and I’ | Kathmandu, Nepal, 2017
Photo Credit: KD
