Averi founded Connecticut Dance / Movement Therapy as a way to connect with and engage individuals, groups, and their loved ones. Through both individual and group sessions, Averi works with clients by focusing on body movement - as the core component of dance - to both assess and intervene as expressions emerge in a therapeutic setting. Her method of client intervention is backed by a field of study with over 70 years of psychotherapeutic, evidence-backed, and empirical research and fieldwork in assisting those with developmental, medical, social, physical, and psychological impairments.

Averi’s philosophy on client care is to meet clients where they are - focusing on the here and now - and accept what the body says as truth. She believes that changes in the body reflect changes in the mind. And that the mind, body, and spirit are inseparable and interconnected.

Experience

Averi works with private clients both on an individual basis and through the facilitation of group sessions for several organizations including senior living communities, senior centers, mental health facilities, schools and in-home programs. These individual and groups sessions are tailored to the needs of specific population. She offers programming for school children, adults, seniors, those with special needs as well as intergenerational programming.

As the former Memory Care Program Manager at The Linden at Woodbridge (formerly Brookdale - Woodbridge), Averi focused on working with individuals who had Alzheimers or Dementia. By leading group sessions and incorporating dance / movement therapy concepts and principles into the daily lives of residents, Averi enhanced the level of care received on the unit. In addition, she runs a monthly support group for caregivers of those with the disease.

Previously, Averi served as the Director of Engage Life at Atria Senior Living in New York City. In that community, she managed the recreation and activity therapies while overseeing several program staff members.

Education

• Masters of Science, Dance Therapy | Pratt Institute

• Bachelor of Art, Psychology | Southeastern Louisiana University

"
We are so lucky to find Averi! She has been working with my sister-in-law who has dementia and it’s a highlight of my sister-in-law’s week! Averi is patient and kind as well as enthusiastic making my sister-in-law’s experience fun!

/  J. Rayman, LCSW  /