About
Jen Murrell
My name is Jen and I am registered dance and movement therapist. I graduated from University of Melbourne's Master of Creative Arts Therapy in 2023. I work in private practice in Newcastle with people of all ages and backgrounds, supporting them to process their experiences and find meaningful connection with the world.
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I also work on E.S.T.E.E.M, a community program for survivors of stroke in West Wallsend and Kurri Kurri.
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I am interested in the role that dance and movement can have inn empowering people to be comfortable and find joy in themselves. Everybody experiences grief, loss, anxiety and stress at some time and movement can be a valuable way of expressing and reconciling the unpleasant sensations that can pile up while we focus on getting through the day.
Jen's Story
I have danced ever since the local gymnastics club told my mum that it wasn't worth me carrying on because I was not flexible enough (I was 4). I was lucky enough to be enrolled in a dance school that did not attach worth to the shape or flexibility of a person but instead focused on allowing us to do our best and enjoy the experience of movement across multiple disciplines (ballet, modern, jazz, tap, national). When I left school my head was not filled with possibilities, rather it was quite blank as I had no idea what I wanted to DO with my life. I did know I wanted to dance and once I found out that a bachelor's in dance was something that existed that was the path I chose.
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Unfortunately, dance performance doesn't pay the bills unless you are in the top 1% for technique and flexibility and happen to have been a little bit lucky and dance teaching jobs are usually low in hours so, while I shared my love of dance in community settings, I fell into administration. First for theatres in London and then in professional sport.
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Fast forward a few years and I found myself moving to Australia where I retrained as a personal trainer. After 5 years working with people of all ages and abilities in the gym, and as a dance teacher I found myself again in administration, this time for a private mental health facility in Newcastle, NSW.
It was here that all my experiences converged and, with the encouragement of the clinicians I worked with, I enrolled on the newly minted Masters of Creative Arts Therapy course at the University of Melbourne. This course included 4 placements which afforded me experience with a range of populations from pre-school and primary aged neurodiverse children, people with dementia, stroke survivors and a private inpatient psychiatric unit.
My Values
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I believe that the integration of psyche, soma and intellect leads to understanding and acceptance and, therefore, balance and wellbeing (as explained by Liljian Espenak, one of the founders of dance and movement therapy).
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Everybody has a need for connection, belonging, to be heard and understood.
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Knowledge is constructed through experience.
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There is no right or wrong way to dance.
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I will dance with anyone to support them to find catharsis, healing and empowerment.
Qualifications
Master of Creative Arts Therapy (specialising in Dance)
Cert III and IV personal training
University of Melbourne
Australian Institute of Fitness
BA (Hons) Dance and Culture
University Of Surrey
AZACATA Membership Number 76571942
About
Soul Gesture
Soul Gesture is dedicated to using dance and movement therapy to promote emotional wellness and mental health. Jen integrates movement, creativity, and mindfulness to support individuals on their path to healing and self-discovery.
Jen will dance with anyone in any way to help bring them healing, catharsis and empowerment
