Dr. Suzi Tortora

Curriculum Vitae

Education:

  • B.A., Tufts University — cum laude. Eliot–Pearson Department of Child Development
  • CMA. Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies
  • M.A., New York University
  • Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Selected Clinical Experience: Dance Movement Psychotherapist

  • 1984 – present: Private practice, NYC and Cold Spring, NY
  • 2002 – present: Nonverbal Movement Analyst/Consultant - for "Support Groups and Video Bonding Consultations for Mothers and Infants of 9-11." Beatrice Beebe, Ph.D., Director, Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NYC.
  • 2003 - present: Develop & Senior Dance Therapist Dance Movement Psychotherapy Pediatric Program - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Department of Integrative Medicine, NYC.

Selected Certifications/Licenses:

  • C.M.A., Certified Laban Movement Analyst
  • A.D.T.R., Academy of Dance Therapists registered
  • L.C.A.T., Licensed Creative Arts Therapist
  • L.M.H.C., Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • N.C.C., National Certified Counselor

Selected Publications:

    Two time Guest editor Zero to Three Journal
  • 1994: Join my dance: The unique movement style of each infant toddler can invite communication, expression and intervention
    Zero to Three, 15, 1, 1-12.
  • 2004: Exploring a Multisensory World; How Infants and Toddlers Use Their Bodies to Learn
    and Communicate
    Author of lead articles Zero to Three Journal
  • Tortora, S. (May 2004). Our moving Bodies tell stories, which speak of our experiences.
    Zero to Three, 24, 5, 4 -11.
  • Tortora, S. (May 2004). Studying the infant's multisensory environment: A bridge between biology and psychology: An interview with Myron Hofer.
    Zero to Three, 24, 5, 12 – 18.
    Other Publications
  • Tortora, S. & Loman, S (1999) ADTA [brochure]. Columbia, MD.
  • Tortora, S & Lerner, C. (2004) On The Move. Washington, D.C.: Zero to Three Press.
  • Tortora. S (2006). The Dancing Dialogue: Using the Communicative Power of Movement with Young Children. Baltimore, MD; Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.
  • Tortora, S (2008). The Ways of Seeing program – Dance movement psychotherapy in early childhood treatment. In Wengrower, H. & Chaiklin, S. (Eds). La Vida es Danza [Life is dance. The art & science of dance movement therapy.] Barcelona, Spain: Gedisa
  • Tortora, S. (2009). The Ways of Seeing program – Dance movement psychotherapy in early childhood treatment. In Wengrower, H. & Chaiklin, S. (Eds). Life is dance. The art & science of dance movement therapy. NY, NY: Routledge Press.
  • Tortora, Suzi (2010). From the dance studio to the classroom: Translating the clinical dance movement psychotherapy experience into the classroom. In V. Karkou ( Ed). Art therapies in schools: Research and practice; London, England: Jessica Kingsley Press.
  • Tortora, S (in press). Beyond crying-Pain, trauma and stressing early childhood: The role of implicit knowing. In Tosone, C. (editor). Clinical Social Work Journal special edition, Attachment-Based Clinical Social Work With Children and Adolescents.

Board Positions:

  • NY Zero to Three Network, NYC, NY.
  • Advisory Board - Garden Road School, Cortlandt, NY.

Faculty Positions:

  • Postgraduate Institute for Infants, Children & Families, Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services
  • Teachers College, Columbia University – Guest Lecturer, Graduate Studies Curriculum and Teaching & Arts and Humanities Department
  • Pratt Institute - Adjunct Professor & Intern Supervisor, Dance Therapy Masters
  • New School for General Studies – Adjunct Professor, Creative Arts Therapies, Certification Program
  • Dance Therapy Training Program at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center - Adjunct Professor

Program Development:

  • Innerkids Foundation – mediation program for children, Los Angeles, CA
  • MarbleJam Kids Inc,- Program Director, Consultant, Advisory Board - A Non-profit Serving Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
  • Project Brilliance – A program designed to enhance, strengthen and support individuals with learning differences, developmental delays and neurological challenges – Garden Road School

Awards:

  • 2010 Marian Chace Distinguished Dance Therapist Award
    National Dance Therapy Association