About Us.
The Diversity in Motion Research Collective brings a fresh, innovative viewpoint to trauma research that is both qualitative and quantitative. Our approach facilitates mind, body and spirit experiential learning and healing through a diverse cultural lens. Our team fuses principles of psychology, education and dance theory for a well-rounded strength based, trauma informed and person-centered embodied experience.
Dr. Charné Furcron, BC-DMT, LPC, NCC, MAC, BCC, ACS, CPCS (she/her/hers)
Movinginthespirit.org
For over thirty years, Dr. Furcron has worked in community mental health and addictive disease agencies, detention centers, youth development, expressive art programs, non-profit organizations, various educational settings, and private practice. As a licensed professional counselor and board-certified dance therapist, she has provided group and individual clinical work with the elderly, mentally challenged, and emotionally disturbed children, as well as adults and adolescents seeking help for chemical dependency and various psychiatric maladies. Charné has extensive experience in developing and implementing educational programs that address communication skills, substance abuse, violence prevention, learning styles, coping with change, team building, and conflict resolution. Dr. Furcron has had the opportunity to work with ethnically diverse client populations seeking psychotherapeutic services to address issues related to mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, ADHD), crisis intervention, interpersonal dynamics, parenting, low self-esteem, and stress management.
Dr. Furcron is Director of Education and Program Officer for Moving in the Spirit. She has been actively involved with Moving in the Spirit for over twenty-seven years and currently manages program evaluation to provide evidence that proves the impact of the program on the dancers’ self-concept, youth development goals, and dance technique. Charné holds a BFA in dance from Texas Christian University, MA in dance therapy from Goucher College, MA in counseling from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, and EdD in counseling psychology from Argosy University/ Sarasota. Dr. Furcron is a Board-Certified Dance Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, GA Certified School Counselor, Master Addiction Counselor, GA Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor.
In addition to her role as Director of Education, she is an Adjunct Professor for Lesley University in the Dance/Movement Therapy program. She maintains a dance/movement therapy and counseling practice. Dr. Furcron has presented her work with dance/movement therapy and positive youth development locally, regionally, and nationally. Her TED-style presentation, Dance: Positively Changing Lives of Urban Youth,
was featured by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as the first in a series, “ADTA Talks.” Also, she co-authored articles with Dr. Leon Rodgers, The Dynamic Interface Between Neuromaturation, Risky Behavior, Creative Dance Movement, and Youth Development Programming for the American Journal of Dance Therapy and Multicultural Competence: Exploring the Link between Globalization, Select Demographics, and School Counselors’ Self-Perceptions for the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. She is highlighted in the Profiles of Dance/Movement Therapists on the ADTA website, and in “A Short Primer on Innovative Evaluation Reporting,” and the international documentary, The Moving Child. Charné serves as the Multicultural Diversity Chair for the board of directors of ADTA. In 2019, the MDC received the Innovation Award under her leadership, and she received the Exceptional Service Award in 2020. Also, she is one of the thirteen founding members of the Southern Chapter of the ADTA and past vice-president and treasuer.
Movinginthespirit.org
For over thirty years, Dr. Furcron has worked in community mental health and addictive disease agencies, detention centers, youth development, expressive art programs, non-profit organizations, various educational settings, and private practice. As a licensed professional counselor and board-certified dance therapist, she has provided group and individual clinical work with the elderly, mentally challenged, and emotionally disturbed children, as well as adults and adolescents seeking help for chemical dependency and various psychiatric maladies. Charné has extensive experience in developing and implementing educational programs that address communication skills, substance abuse, violence prevention, learning styles, coping with change, team building, and conflict resolution. Dr. Furcron has had the opportunity to work with ethnically diverse client populations seeking psychotherapeutic services to address issues related to mental illness (e.g., depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, ADHD), crisis intervention, interpersonal dynamics, parenting, low self-esteem, and stress management.
Dr. Furcron is Director of Education and Program Officer for Moving in the Spirit. She has been actively involved with Moving in the Spirit for over twenty-seven years and currently manages program evaluation to provide evidence that proves the impact of the program on the dancers’ self-concept, youth development goals, and dance technique. Charné holds a BFA in dance from Texas Christian University, MA in dance therapy from Goucher College, MA in counseling from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, and EdD in counseling psychology from Argosy University/ Sarasota. Dr. Furcron is a Board-Certified Dance Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, GA Certified School Counselor, Master Addiction Counselor, GA Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor.
In addition to her role as Director of Education, she is an Adjunct Professor for Lesley University in the Dance/Movement Therapy program. She maintains a dance/movement therapy and counseling practice. Dr. Furcron has presented her work with dance/movement therapy and positive youth development locally, regionally, and nationally. Her TED-style presentation, Dance: Positively Changing Lives of Urban Youth,
was featured by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) as the first in a series, “ADTA Talks.” Also, she co-authored articles with Dr. Leon Rodgers, The Dynamic Interface Between Neuromaturation, Risky Behavior, Creative Dance Movement, and Youth Development Programming for the American Journal of Dance Therapy and Multicultural Competence: Exploring the Link between Globalization, Select Demographics, and School Counselors’ Self-Perceptions for the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. She is highlighted in the Profiles of Dance/Movement Therapists on the ADTA website, and in “A Short Primer on Innovative Evaluation Reporting,” and the international documentary, The Moving Child. Charné serves as the Multicultural Diversity Chair for the board of directors of ADTA. In 2019, the MDC received the Innovation Award under her leadership, and she received the Exceptional Service Award in 2020. Also, she is one of the thirteen founding members of the Southern Chapter of the ADTA and past vice-president and treasuer.
Dr. Angela M Grayson, PhD, BC-DMT, LPC, NCC (she/her/hers)- goodfruitexpressivearts.com
is the Proprietor and CEO of Good Fruit Expressive Arts Counseling & Psychotherapy LLC, a counseling and creative arts psychotherapy practice, located in Wilmington, Delaware. She infuses a unique blend of psychology and the arts for executive stress management and promotion of healthy relationships among women. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and a Licensed Minister of Dance. Dr. Angela is an alumna long-term adjunct professor for graduate students at Drexel University in the Creative Arts Therapy and Counseling department. In addition, she has served as an adjunct professor for undergraduate students in the Psychology department at Wilmington University.
Dr. Angela is an award winning Therapist, best selling Author, transformational Healer, Speaker and Educator. She is the author of Meditation Moments Journal: 52 Weekly Expressions to Reduce Stress, Boost Productivity and Position Yourself to Live Your Best Life as well as a co-author of the #1 best seller The Profitable Woman’s Playbook: 15 Strategies to Win Big in Life and Business. She is also contributing writer to several publications both print and online. She was a featured practitioner in the Aetna Healthcare 2013 African American History Calendar Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Celebrating African Americans Practicing Physical and Alternative Healing. Dr. Angela has been interviewed and featured in televised, internet and print media outlets regarding mental health, diversity, spirituality, and dance/movement therapy. She utilizes a mind, body and spirit holistic and humanistic approach to support, counsel and coach individuals and organizations to develop creative and effective stress management skills. Dr. Angela is passionate about the interconnection of culture and spirituality especially in relation to healing practices through dance and has taught nationally and internationally regarding multicultural aspects of sacred dance and dance/movement therapy.
Among her professional affiliations, she is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, American Dance Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, and the National Liturgical Dance Network. As a member of the American Dance Therapy Association, Dr. Angela serves as the National President Elect, Spirituality and Religion Affinity Group Coordinator, member of the Native American Affinity Group, Black MAGIC Affinity Group, Charter Member and inaugural 2-term past Chair of the Multicultural and Diversity Committee, past President of the Pennsylvania Chapter, past Vice President of the Black American and African Descendants Affinity Group and past member of the National Standards and Ethics Committee.
is the Proprietor and CEO of Good Fruit Expressive Arts Counseling & Psychotherapy LLC, a counseling and creative arts psychotherapy practice, located in Wilmington, Delaware. She infuses a unique blend of psychology and the arts for executive stress management and promotion of healthy relationships among women. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) and a Licensed Minister of Dance. Dr. Angela is an alumna long-term adjunct professor for graduate students at Drexel University in the Creative Arts Therapy and Counseling department. In addition, she has served as an adjunct professor for undergraduate students in the Psychology department at Wilmington University.
Dr. Angela is an award winning Therapist, best selling Author, transformational Healer, Speaker and Educator. She is the author of Meditation Moments Journal: 52 Weekly Expressions to Reduce Stress, Boost Productivity and Position Yourself to Live Your Best Life as well as a co-author of the #1 best seller The Profitable Woman’s Playbook: 15 Strategies to Win Big in Life and Business. She is also contributing writer to several publications both print and online. She was a featured practitioner in the Aetna Healthcare 2013 African American History Calendar Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Celebrating African Americans Practicing Physical and Alternative Healing. Dr. Angela has been interviewed and featured in televised, internet and print media outlets regarding mental health, diversity, spirituality, and dance/movement therapy. She utilizes a mind, body and spirit holistic and humanistic approach to support, counsel and coach individuals and organizations to develop creative and effective stress management skills. Dr. Angela is passionate about the interconnection of culture and spirituality especially in relation to healing practices through dance and has taught nationally and internationally regarding multicultural aspects of sacred dance and dance/movement therapy.
Among her professional affiliations, she is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, American Dance Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, and the National Liturgical Dance Network. As a member of the American Dance Therapy Association, Dr. Angela serves as the National President Elect, Spirituality and Religion Affinity Group Coordinator, member of the Native American Affinity Group, Black MAGIC Affinity Group, Charter Member and inaugural 2-term past Chair of the Multicultural and Diversity Committee, past President of the Pennsylvania Chapter, past Vice President of the Black American and African Descendants Affinity Group and past member of the National Standards and Ethics Committee.
Ebony Nichols, MA, LCAT, BC-DMT (she/her/hers)
www.ayacreativewellness.com
Ebony is a somatic mental health and wellness practitioner, Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, licensed cosmetologist and entrepreneur. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at The College of New Rochelle in psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. She was awarded the presidential scholarship to attend Lesley University's Doctorate program in Counseling and Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education and Applied Research, where she plans to continue her research and work rooted in cultural/race identity, trauma-informed healing care, centering Black Aesthetics of the African Diaspora through cultural movement narratives, non-verbal communication, and somatic-based healing practices.
Ebony has been the proprietor of Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa since 2003. Utilizing their mission of "Healing the Community Follicle by Follicle," her primary focus was to create a therapeutic environment within the African American community; this was her genesis for connecting artistic/cultural aesthetic expression, self-care and psychology. Trained in ballet and modern dance, Ebony found her love for the freedom of movement in the NYC house dance community. In 2005, she co-founded Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Collective, using social dance and music as a tool for emotional healing and expression. In addition, Ebony has experience in partial hospitalization/inpatient psychiatry and mental health care facilities working with individuals who present with psychotic and behavioral health concerns, as well as with individuals who are developmentally diverse and experience physical, emotional, and sensory challenges. She has also worked with a non-profit organization in partnership with New York City public schools to develop social-emotional resiliency from an anti-oppressive strength-based lens. Ebony’s international experience includes Ghana and Togo West Africa, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua utilizing various techniques of expressive art therapy toward personal/communal healing while exploring the dynamics of underrepresented communities.
Ebony has co-presented her research, Moving Blind Spots: Cultural Bias in the Movement Repertoire of Dance/ Movement Therapists at the American Dance Therapy Association's (ADTA) Annual Conference (2018) and co-facilitated the American Dance Therapy Association's 2019 Plenary, Honoring Multiplicity: An Embodied Keynote Experience. Ebony is the Multicultural and Diversity Committee Chair Elect for the ADTA and was awarded the honor of the "Leader of Tomorrow Award" (2019) and “The Innovation Award” (2021) for her research in the Africanist Aesthetic in Movement Observation, by the organization. In addition to the American Dance Therapy Association, Ebony is also a professional member of The Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi), The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and serves as an Adjunct Professor.
www.ayacreativewellness.com
Ebony is a somatic mental health and wellness practitioner, Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, licensed cosmetologist and entrepreneur. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at The College of New Rochelle in psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy. She was awarded the presidential scholarship to attend Lesley University's Doctorate program in Counseling and Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education and Applied Research, where she plans to continue her research and work rooted in cultural/race identity, trauma-informed healing care, centering Black Aesthetics of the African Diaspora through cultural movement narratives, non-verbal communication, and somatic-based healing practices.
Ebony has been the proprietor of Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa since 2003. Utilizing their mission of "Healing the Community Follicle by Follicle," her primary focus was to create a therapeutic environment within the African American community; this was her genesis for connecting artistic/cultural aesthetic expression, self-care and psychology. Trained in ballet and modern dance, Ebony found her love for the freedom of movement in the NYC house dance community. In 2005, she co-founded Afro Mosaic Soul Dance Collective, using social dance and music as a tool for emotional healing and expression. In addition, Ebony has experience in partial hospitalization/inpatient psychiatry and mental health care facilities working with individuals who present with psychotic and behavioral health concerns, as well as with individuals who are developmentally diverse and experience physical, emotional, and sensory challenges. She has also worked with a non-profit organization in partnership with New York City public schools to develop social-emotional resiliency from an anti-oppressive strength-based lens. Ebony’s international experience includes Ghana and Togo West Africa, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua utilizing various techniques of expressive art therapy toward personal/communal healing while exploring the dynamics of underrepresented communities.
Ebony has co-presented her research, Moving Blind Spots: Cultural Bias in the Movement Repertoire of Dance/ Movement Therapists at the American Dance Therapy Association's (ADTA) Annual Conference (2018) and co-facilitated the American Dance Therapy Association's 2019 Plenary, Honoring Multiplicity: An Embodied Keynote Experience. Ebony is the Multicultural and Diversity Committee Chair Elect for the ADTA and was awarded the honor of the "Leader of Tomorrow Award" (2019) and “The Innovation Award” (2021) for her research in the Africanist Aesthetic in Movement Observation, by the organization. In addition to the American Dance Therapy Association, Ebony is also a professional member of The Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi), The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and serves as an Adjunct Professor.
Melody Gamba, LMHC, BC-DMT (she/her/hers)
www.lighthousecreativecollaborative.com
Melody is a dance artist, educator, mental health counselor and dance/movement therapist who is an advocate for inclusive and equitable educational outreach, therapeutic interventions and social justice programming within her community. She received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) in addition to being awarded the “Silver M” for outstanding leadership and involvement in the MMC community. Melody was the recipient of the Davis Fellowship from Salve Regina University for her thesis research utilizing dance/movement therapy as a tool to dismantle racism and injustice in service learning and invited to deliver the keynote address “Embodying Brave Space: A Mental Health Informed Classroom” for their annual conference on Youth Mental Health (2019). As a member of the Diversity in Motion Research Collective, she has co-presented workshops for the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), The National Dance Educators Organization and The Embodiment Conference.
She is the past assistant artistic director and company member of Fusionworks Dance Company and was invited to perform with ESS/Dance Works, SOKOLOW NOW! Anna Sokolow Contemporary Dance Company, Dancing Legacy and Bill Evans Dance Company. Melody continues to teach and choreograph throughout New England and beyond. She is currently a program therapist at Butler Hospital in Providence, RI and an adjunct professor in the Theater, Music, and Dance department at Salve Regina University. She is a member of the ADTA Multicultural and Diversity Committee, Shared Space Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and was awarded the “Leader of Tomorrow” (2019) by the organization. Melody plans to pursue her PhD to continue using the arts as a means to evoke equitable and just social change.
www.lighthousecreativecollaborative.com
Melody is a dance artist, educator, mental health counselor and dance/movement therapist who is an advocate for inclusive and equitable educational outreach, therapeutic interventions and social justice programming within her community. She received her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) in addition to being awarded the “Silver M” for outstanding leadership and involvement in the MMC community. Melody was the recipient of the Davis Fellowship from Salve Regina University for her thesis research utilizing dance/movement therapy as a tool to dismantle racism and injustice in service learning and invited to deliver the keynote address “Embodying Brave Space: A Mental Health Informed Classroom” for their annual conference on Youth Mental Health (2019). As a member of the Diversity in Motion Research Collective, she has co-presented workshops for the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), The National Dance Educators Organization and The Embodiment Conference.
She is the past assistant artistic director and company member of Fusionworks Dance Company and was invited to perform with ESS/Dance Works, SOKOLOW NOW! Anna Sokolow Contemporary Dance Company, Dancing Legacy and Bill Evans Dance Company. Melody continues to teach and choreograph throughout New England and beyond. She is currently a program therapist at Butler Hospital in Providence, RI and an adjunct professor in the Theater, Music, and Dance department at Salve Regina University. She is a member of the ADTA Multicultural and Diversity Committee, Shared Space Committee, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and was awarded the “Leader of Tomorrow” (2019) by the organization. Melody plans to pursue her PhD to continue using the arts as a means to evoke equitable and just social change.
