https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/home daily 1.0 2022-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1594215173261-M33XZWJVWXV1JYS96RSU/image-asset.jpeg Home - Therapeutic Retreats Photo by fizkes/iStock / Getty Images https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1594215143383-MOWPVBHRN7ST17BHXFPL/image-asset.jpeg Home - Individual Sessions Photo by lechatnoir/iStock / Getty Images https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/aboutaya daily 0.75 2023-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1646063083244-J405Y5M5KXBA8JRXIQA8/IMG_5946.jpg About AYA AYA “Fern” is a Ghanaian Adinkra symbol representing endurance and resourcefulness; the fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. With an emphasis on culturally responsive somatic and body-oriented techniques, we utilize a thoughtful and reflective practice to promote physical and mental well-being, while also providing trauma-informed care. Aya creative wellness uses the symbol of AYA “the fern” in our practice in recognition of West African wisdom and ancestral healing techniques to explore mental health related to cultural identity and community/social dynamics. We utilize various modalities of expressive art, poetry, music, drama, visual art, and movement toward personal/communal growth, emotional regulation, and healing. We offer a safe space to co-create your therapeutic goals, rediscover your authentic self, and honor what truly makes your heart smile. https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/our-practitioners daily 0.75 2025-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1588539190896-L36WTPNMZ4DV5TKQTI96/MariaJHackett_LocksOfNuSalon_Images-12+copy.jpeg Practitioner - Dr. Ebony T. Nichols LPC, LCAT, BC-DMT Dr. Ebony is a somatic mental health and wellness practitioner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Dance/Movement Psychotherapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Licensed cosmetologist, and entrepreneur. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at The College of New Rochelle, master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy at Lesley University, and doctorate at Lesley University's Counseling and Psychology: Transformative Leadership, Education, and Applied Research program. Her research and work are rooted in cultural/race identity and trauma-informed healing care, centering Black Aesthetics of the African Diaspora through cultural movement narratives, non-verbal communication, and somatic-based liberatory practices. Ebony has been the proprietor of Locks of Nu Natural Hair Spa since 2003. Utilizing the mission of "Healing the Community Follicle by Follicle," her primary focus was to create a therapeutic environment within the Black 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 to facilitate emotional healing and expression. Ebony has experience in partial hospitalization/inpatient psychiatry and mental health care facilities, working with individuals who present with psychotic and behavioral health concerns and 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 empowerment from an anti-oppressive, strength-based lens. Ebony's international experience includes West Africa, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, utilizing various expressive art therapy techniques toward personal/communal healing while exploring the dynamics of underrepresented communities. Ebony was the 2023 Multicultural and Diversity Committee Chair for the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), and her research has catalyzed shifts in the curriculum of dance/movement therapy education toward a more anti-oppressive and equitable pedagogy. She has co-presented her research, Moving Blind Spots: Cultural Bias in the Movement Repertoire of Dance/Movement Therapists, ADTA Annual Conference (2018) and co-facilitated the ADTA’s 2019 Plenary, Honoring Multiplicity: An Embodied Keynote Experience. Ebony was awarded the honor of the "Leader of Tomorrow Award" (2019) and "The Innovation Award" (2021) for her research in the Africanist Aesthetic in Psychotherapeutic Movement Observation by the organization. In addition to the American Dance Therapy Association, Ebony is a charter member and treasurer of the Black Moving Affinity Group in the Community Association (Black MAGIC Association), a non-profit organization founded in 2023 to strengthen the lives and work of Black dance/movement therapists (DMT) and students. She is also a professional member of The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) and The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). . https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/book-a-consultation daily 0.75 2020-05-03 https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/sessionsandretreats daily 0.75 2023-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1589581555887-86QIHHHYYW3WP9LD75YJ/image-asset.jpeg Sessions & Retreats - Individual Sessions Individual sessions are co-created with you to provide a healing space aligned with your therapeutic goals from a strengths-based lens to support your physical and emotional needs. Not sure what your needs are? We can discover what makes your heart truly smile together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1636123422395-TZ3G5HMYZAHN90QO69N1/fullsizeoutput_24620.jpeg Sessions & Retreats - Somatic Wellness and Dance/Movement Psychotherapy What is Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)? While talk therapy utilizes conversation as a mode of communication, art therapy uses visual art, music therapy utilizes music; dance/movement therapy uses the body as a mode of communication and expression. Research has shown that human experiences are stored in the body, DMT utilizes the body and movement for coping and to recognize healthy or maladaptive movement patterns related to behavior. The range of DMT can look like dance and movement for wellness, movement as an expression and non-verbal communication, or somatic processing of emotions. According to the American Dance Therapy Association, Dance/Movement Therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body. As a modality of the creative arts therapies, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion. To learn more about Dance/Movement Therapy visit the American Dance Therapy Association. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1594215314095-GB2Z7COGVZERYPFSFANK/image-asset.jpeg Sessions & Retreats - Professional Development Workshops Photo by fizkes/iStock / Getty Images https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1621803071610-5ZRYJ1XQNTA6Q67JECTI/20210514_121323.jpg Sessions & Retreats - AYA House Retreat A therapeutic retreat space centering Black Indigenous healing of the African Diaspora, located on over 3 acres of land, with a charming 1927 updated farmhouse, barn and cottage. Contact us for more information about becoming an invited retreat guest or hosting a wellness group retreat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1590453758818-PC1JMJNRGGVI1F0LV75E/image-asset.jpeg Sessions & Retreats https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/location daily 0.75 2023-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1589580574948-4HNIQBQKE8AOJ82ZG3WK/84292384_10156739377251604_3890678236266364928_o.jpg Location - Location Currently offering virtual sessions https://www.ayacreativewellness.com/general-1 daily 0.75 2022-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ea1f17457b19f2a01a17020/1646062721014-Y98CRGKB1GWUFJAF7FFS/wellness%2C+moving%2C+dancing+abstract+person+logo-10.png Research - The Diversity in Motion Research Collective 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.