Paloma Parrotta, MA, R-DMT
Hi, I am Paloma Parrotta. I am a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist and a Mental Health Counselor Intern who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults.
I believe growth begins with connection to ourselves, our bodies, and others. I am passionate about supporting individuals as they cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and confidence while navigating emotional challenges, disabilities, and life transitions. My goal is to help clients discover new pathways for self-expression, healing, and personal growth through movement and therapeutic dialogue.
As a Dance/Movement Therapist, I believe the body holds valuable wisdom. I integrate movement-based interventions, creative expression, mindfulness, somatic awareness, and traditional counseling approaches to support healing, growth, and self-discovery. My work is grounded in person-centered, multicultural, and trauma-informed practices that honor each individual’s unique experiences and strengths.
What Led Me To Becoming A Therapist
Movement has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began dancing at the age of two and spent over thirteen years as a competitive dancer, training extensively in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, modern, hip hop, and tap. Throughout my life, dance was more than an art form; it was a way to process emotions, communicate experiences that words could not capture, and connect with others.
As I grew older, I became increasingly aware of the profound impact movement had on my emotional well-being, self-confidence, and sense of identity. Dance provided me with a space for self-expression, creativity, and resilience during both joyful and challenging times. Through my experiences as a dancer, performer, and educator, I witnessed how movement could foster connection, empowerment, and personal growth in people of all ages and abilities. This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Art Therapy from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
As I continued my education, I became fascinated by the connection between movement, mental health, and human development. I was especially drawn to understanding how the body stores and expresses emotions, and how movement can be used as a pathway for healing, communication, and self-discovery. This growing interest inspired me to earn my Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
My clinical training reinforced my belief in the healing power of movement. Through my work, I have witnessed how movement can foster self-expression, resilience, communication, and meaningful connection.
What I Want For You During Our Sessions
I am committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel seen, heard, and valued. Together, we will explore your experiences, emotions, and goals through a collaborative process that honors both your mind and body.
Whether through movement, creative expression, verbal processing, or a combination of creative approaches, my hope is that our work together will help you develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, confidence, and connection. I believe healing happens when we feel empowered to explore our authentic selves, and I consider it a privilege to accompany clients on that journey.
My Education & Clinical Experience
My clinical training includes providing Dance/Movement Therapy services in educational, healthcare, and community settings. During my graduate studies, I completed my internship at HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Philadelphia, where I facilitated individual and group Dance/Movement Therapy sessions for children and adolescents with complex physical and developmental disabilities. In this role, I utilized clinical observation, therapeutic attunement, and movement-based interventions to support emotional expression, communication, self-regulation, social engagement, autonomy, sensory integration, and nervous system regulation. I collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, music
therapists, art therapists, and recreational therapists to develop individualized treatment approaches that addressed each child’s emotional, social, and developmental needs.
Across my clinical experiences, I have developed a strong foundation in building therapeutic relationships, assessing emotional and behavioral needs, facilitating individual and group interventions, and creating safe spaces for self-expression
and healing. I approach each client with curiosity, empathy, and cultural humility, recognizing the unique strengths and challenges they bring to the therapeutic process.
I continue to deepen my knowledge through ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care, somatic practices, sensory integration strategies, and expressive arts therapies.
Let’s move together and create a space for healing, self-expression, connection, and growth!
“Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul’s weather to all who can read it.” — Martha Graham
