Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacia Barrett.
Hi Stacia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out dancing as a child by emulating art work in my room, gymnasts and figure skaters as well as music artists. When I started high school I began more formal training and found that as a still very shy teen I was able to unlock another side to myself as well as express myself through dance. After college I began competition dance as a company member and instructor. I saw such great growth from my students and it inspired me to see that dance could be transformative for others as well. Around this time I was broadening my career as a social worker and found a modality that would allow me to merge mental health, healing and dance. I did some volunteering, teaching dance, merging healing with dance and just offering a creative outlet for others. Then I was formally trained in Dancing Mindfulness and began to offer classes, my first offering happened during Black Healing October in 2020 and from there I did virtual classes for a global audience. In the last few years I have offered several programs through the Grand Prairie library because I truly believe that this type of healing work does not need to be behind a paywall for the participants. I have also presented at local schools, and had the opportunity to choreograph for a Quinceañera. Over the years I have kept up with my own love of dance through college level courses, community theatre performances and sharing my dancing on social media. I am currently in a PhD program exploring a degree in Psychology with a concentration in expressive and movement arts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have found that adults don’t always make time for themselves. So even if they love a class or hobby they don’t always return. I had to remind myself that my offerings were no less valuable if I didn’t have record numbers. Finding a space took a while and just as I considered throwing in the towel the universe/ God showed up in a major way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I call myself the Dancing Social Worker. To me that embodies the fact that I am formally trained in mental health and the impact of social factors on a person’s life and that dance is for everyone. From the moment I began teaching dance my students were encouraged to radically believe in themselves and recognize that growth does not have to look picture perfect to be valuable. I am also known for telling adults that hobbies have great value, as does fun. I think one thing that sets me apart is my ability to get just about anyone to enjoy dancing. I worked in an Intensive Outpatient Program for people with more serious mental health struggles and many came to my group not having any interest in dance, or even having negative beliefs around their ability to dance. Having those clients tell me that I was their favorite or that I helped unlock their mental health struggles will forever be one of my proudest moments.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Be a Triangle by Lily Singh was wonderful. Life in Motion by Misty Copeland is great if dancers. I love using my Passion Planner to big picture and small step my goals. And while streaming apps are great, I will never abandon my huge music catalog on my iPod.
Pricing:
- Group mindful dance instruction (team activity or friends events)from $150
- Virtual dancing mindfulness $7 per 30 minute class
- Therapeutic Art Life Coaching sliding scale
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.txmonarchstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.barrett_socialworker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staciabarrettLCSW/services/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciabarrett1
Image Credits
Corey Hanks
