082819_emillrod_headshot.JPG

Contact Info

Email: emillrod [at] rider.edu

Phone Number: 609-896-5000 ext. 7067

Department: Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling

Office Location: Bierenbaum Fisher Hall

Additional Info:

Academic Focus: Dance/Movement Therapy

Academic Background

  • Ph.D. in Creative Arts in Therapy, Drexel University
  • M.A. in Dance Movement Analysis and Therapy, New York University
  • B.A. in Psychology and Dance, Barnard College, Columbia University

Professional Background and Research

I have 27 years of clinical experience providing dance/movement therapy (DMT) and verbal counseling to adults with mental illnesses, addictions, and dual diagnoses in an inpatient psychiatric hospital where I also ran specialty groups for trauma and grief. Prior to focusing my clinical work on adults, I worked with individuals who have intellectual disabilities, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as children with autism. Most recently, I introduced DMT in a medical setting with patients in active treatment for cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

My research interest is in DMT education and training. I believe that education is the foundation for every profession and developing evidence-based practices in DMT education is essential. My examination into movement based experiential learning has helped inform best practices when using the body and dance/movement as a source of knowledge and basis for competency development. The DMT practitioner's histories of wounds are also part of my research into improving DMT students' learning experiences and decreasing the risks for burnout and compassion fatigue in clinical practice. My aim is to conduct research that is useful and will help students and professionals thrive as clinicians.

Publications

  • Millrod, E.T. (2024). Movement based experiential learning in dance/movement therapy graduate education: Facilitating and hindering factors for competency development. Body, Movement, and Dance in Psychotherapy, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2024.2339877
  • Shim, M., Millrod, E., & Gaydos, M. (2022). Trauma-informed dance/movement therapy in the context of medical illness. In R. Dieterich-Hartwell & A. M. Melsom (Eds.), Dance/movement therapy for trauma survivors: Theoretical, clinical, and cultural perspectives (pp.215-232). Routledge.
  • Millrod, E., Goodill, S., Giguere, M., Kaimal, G., Wilkins, E., & Chang, M. (2021). Experiential learning and competency development in dance/movement therapy graduate education: Early practitioner perspectives. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 43(2), 188-222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-021-09353-y
  • Millrod, E.T. & Kawano, T. (2021). The Nature of Creativity in Dance/Movement Therapy: Keynote Address at the 30th Conference of the Japan Dance Therapy Association. Japanese Journal of Dance Therapy, 14(1),17-23.
  • Millrod, E. (2020). Medical dance/movement therapy in the infusion room: A model for individual sessions with adults in active treatment. American Journal of Dance Therapy, 42(1), 61-89. doi: 10.1007/s10465-020-09323-w
  • Kaimal, G., Metzl, E., & Millrod, E. (2017). Facilitative leadership: A framework for the creative arts therapies. Art Therapy, 34(3), 146-151. doi:10.1080/07421656.2017.1343072
  • Millrod, E. T. (2016). Dance/movement therapy training: Fostering the pioneering spirit. Japanese Journal of Dance Therapy,9(1),5-9.

Presentations

  • Millrod, E. & Shim, M. (2022, October). Moving within the Medical Model: An Embodied Exploration of Opportunities and Challenges in Medical Dance/Movement Therapy. American Dance Therapy Association 57th Annual Conference in partnership with Dance Movement Therapy Association in Canada. Montreal, Canada.
  • Millrod, E. T. & Kawano, T. (2021, October). Keynote Address: The Nature of Creativity in Dance/Movement Therapy. Japan Dance Therapy Association 30th Anniversary Academic Research Conference. Online synchronous.
  • Millrod, E., Goodill, S., Beardall, N., Hastie, S., & Chang, M. (2021, October). Towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Movement Assessment: Collaborating to Move Forward. American Dance Therapy Association 56th Annual Conference. Online asynchronous.
  • Millrod, E. & Kawano, T. (2020, October). Biculturalism in Dance/Movement Therapy: Insights from the Embodied Cultural Narratives of Japanese-American Educators. American Dance Therapy Association 55th Annual Conference. Online asynchronous.
  • Millrod, E., & Blanc, V. (2019, October). The Landscape of Learning: Emerging Themes in Dance/Movement Therapy Education. American Dance Therapy Association 54th Annual Conference. Miami, FL.
  • Chang, M., Coburn, S., Furcron, C., Grayson, A., Malher-Moran, M., Millrod, E., & Puloka, R. (2019, October). The Use of Inclusive Language in Dance/Movement Therapy Practice: A Panel Discussion. American Dance Therapy Association 54th Annual Conference. Miami, FL.
  • Millrod, E. (2017, November). A Three Way Conversation on Grief with Neuroscientists, Bereavement Researchers, and Dance/Movement Therapists. American Dance Therapy Association 52nd Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX.
  • Millrod, E. (2017, September). Integrating Creative Arts into the Therapeutic Milieu. Princeton Healthcare System, Princeton House Behavioral Health, Department of Psychiatry Continuing Medical Education Grand Rounds. Princeton, NJ.
  • Kaimal, G., Metzl, E. & Millrod, E. (2016, November). Leadership and the Creative Arts Therapies. Expressive Therapies Summit. New York, NY.

Awards

  • Teaching Promise Award, Drexel University (2020)
  • Outstanding Achievement Award, American Dance Therapy Association (2017)
  • Princeton House Behavioral Health Inpatient Services Employee of the Quarter (2011)

Professional Membership

  • American Dance Therapy Association
  • American Counseling Association
  • Association for Creativity in Counseling

Courses Taught

  • CNDT 600 Body Mind Integration through Movement I
  • CNDT 700 Body Mind Integration through Movement II
  • CNDT 610 Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy Theory & Practice I
  • CNDT 710 Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy Theory & Practice II
  • CNDT 612 Movement Observation, Analysis, and Assessment
  • CNDT 620 Clinical Applications of Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy
  • CNDT 584 Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy Practicum I
  • CNDT 585 Counseling and Dance/Movement Therapy Practicum II
  • CNDT 790 Clinical Consultation in Dance/Movement Therapy I
  • CNDT 791 Clinical Consultation in Dance/Movement Therapy II

Certification/Licensure

  • Licensed Professional Counselor: (#PC004511, PA)
  • Licensed Creative Arts Therapist: (#000515, NY, Inactive)
  • Board Certified Counselor: (NCC #64805)
  • Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist: (#BC-DMT-777)