Level 2 Somatic Movement Dance Therapy Course 2027 | Accredited Training
10th July 2027 @ 10:00 am - 23rd September 2027 @ 5:00 pm
£1195
Level 2 The Spirit of the Soma Deepening Practice: Accredited 100-Hour Hybrid Training | Online & In-Person Cornwall.
Certified by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) · In association with The Association for Somatic Movement Dance Therapies UK & Éire (UKSMDT)
Level 2 is the second stage of a structured 500-hour professional training pathway in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy, supporting students on a progressive journey towards professional recognition and registration eligibility.
About this course
Are you ready to deepen your somatic practice and integrate advanced skills in embodied facilitation, spiritual inquiry, and the moving imaginal realm?
The Level 2 Course in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy is a 100-hour accredited professional training — certified by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine and in association with The Association for Somatic Movement Dance Therapies United Kingdom & Eire (UKSMDT), — designed for therapists, coaches, healers, movement practitioners, teachers and freelancers who want to integrate trauma-informed, evidence-based somatic movement principles into their work and begin a formal qualification in somatic movement therapy.
Applied and adapted from the pioneering research and trainings of Dr. Amanda Williamson, founder of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy, and based on her book Somatic Movement Dance Therapy: The Healing Art of Self-Regulation & Co-Regulation, this foundation training introduces the core principles of bottom-up somatic healing: self-regulation, co-regulation, the nervous system, and the body's innate capacity to restore balance, connection, and wellbeing.
Level 2 recognises that life experiences—particularly those that overwhelm our sense of safety, connection, belonging, or meaning—can become reflected in the body's tissues, movement patterns, rhythms, and unconscious ways of relating. Over time, these experiences may diminish vitality, restrict creativity, disrupt connection to self, and limit our capacity to engage fully with life.
Drawing on somatic and Jungian psychology, cranio-sacral movement principles, therapeutic touch, authentic movement, and embodied spiritual inquiry, this course explores how movement can support integration, resilience, meaning-making, and a deeper experience of wholeness.
Throughout the training, you will develop the skills to listen to the body's subtle language, attune to its deeper rhythms, and work with movement, sensation, imagery, symbolism, and relationship as pathways for healing and transformation.
By integrating body, psyche, imagination, and spirit, you will learn to facilitate experiences that support greater fluidity, creativity, self-awareness, and connection—helping clients access new possibilities for health, meaning, and embodied living.
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What is Somatic Movement Dance Therapy?
Somatic Movement Dance Therapy (SMDT), coined and developed by Dr Amanda Williamson, is a creative, body-led, bottom-up therapy, rooted in the field of Somatics.
It offers pathways for self-regulation and co-regulation through embodied awareness, creative movement, sensory experience, and relational presence. As a bottom-up approach, SMDT works with the body's innate capacity for adaptation, resilience, healing, and connection.
Rooted in the somatic arts, SMDT integrates Polyvagal theory, experiential anatomy, somatic psychology, cranial-sacral movement, eco-somatics, Jungian psychology, authentic movement, movement meditation, improvisation, art therapy, somatic touch, and embodied spiritual inquiry into a coherent and integrative framework for practice.
Recognised as a distinct professional discipline, SMDT creates conditions for health and supports practitioners to work with nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, embodied self-awareness, creativity, chronic stress, chronic pain, and the restoration of connection to self, others, nature, and the deeper dimensions of human experience.
Is This Course Right For You?
This intermediate training is designed for graduates of Level 1 who wish to deepen their understanding of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy and expand their capacity to work with embodiment, imagination, symbolism, relationship, and transformation in professional practice.
Level 2 is particularly suited to:
- Somatic practitioners wishing to deepen their facilitation skills, knowledge and therapeutic presence
- Therapists, counsellors, coaches, and holistic practitioners seeking a more embodied and creative approach to working with clients
- Movement teachers, dance practitioners, and yoga teachers interested in the therapeutic application of movement
- Healthcare professionals exploring integrative and body-based approaches to wellbeing
- Graduates of Level 1 who wish to continue along the professional Somatic Movement Dance Therapy pathway
Throughout the training, you will be invited to work with movement, touch, imagery, authentic movement, cranio-sacral principles, Jungian-informed approaches, and embodied spiritual inquiry. The course places equal emphasis on personal embodiment, professional development, and facilitation skills.
As an intermediate-level training, participants are expected to engage actively with both theoretical and experiential learning. You will be asked to reflect on your own process, participate in group discussions and movement explorations, undertake independent study, and complete the required reading, personal practice, and assessment activities that contribute to the 100-hour certification.
This is an experiential, relational, and immersive training. Attendance at all live online modules and the in-person retreat is an essential part of the learning journey. Participants are expected to attend all training sessions, engage fully with the learning process, and complete the required contact hours. Recorded sessions may be provided as a supplementary learning resource where appropriate, but they do not replace live participation and cannot be used to make up missed contact hours.
Level 2 is designed for those who are ready to move beyond foundational concepts and develop greater confidence, depth, and artistry in their somatic movement practice—while continuing their journey towards professional training in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy.
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Somatic Movement Dance Therapy Training: A Professional Pathway to Registration
Level 2 Intermediate Training is available to students who have successfully completed the Level 1 Foundation Training. It is both an accredited 100-hour training in its own right and the second stage of a structured 500-hour professional pathway in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy.
As a standalone qualification, Level 2 offers 100 accredited hours of embodied professional training, enabling practitioners to deepen their understanding of the inherent spirituality of somatics and explore how the fluid body, archetypes, symbolism, imagination, and the imaginal realm can be integrated into therapeutic practice. Students learn how to work with these dimensions experientially to create conditions for health, healing, meaning-making, and transformation.
The training provides valuable continuing professional development (CPD) for therapists, coaches, movement practitioners, educators, and holistic professionals who wish to expand their embodied practice, deepen their facilitation skills, and cultivate greater confidence in working with the creative, relational, and psycho-spiritual dimensions of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy.
Level 1 Foundation Course Structure & Modules
The Level 2 Intermediate Course is delivered as a hybrid learning journey — combining live interactive online training and a 7-day in-person residential intensive in Cornwall, supported by independent personal practice and reflective study.
This structure balances accessibility with the depth of embodied learning that somatic training requires.
25 independent practice hours, plus reading and practical assessments will be required.
Module 1: Cranial-Sacral Movement
Curriculum Highlights
Module 1: Introduction to the Fluid Body: Cranial Sacral Movement
Date: 10th & 11th July 2027 Interactive Online Training
In this module, you will explore the vital role of the fluid body in the therapeutic space, with a focus on trauma recovery, somatic sensitivity, and spiritual development. You will learn to attune to the body’s natural tide-like movements, including the subtle flow of cerebrospinal fluid and its impact on the wider fluid matrix of the body. Through experiential somatic practices, you will cultivate a sense-perception of internal flow, alignment, and midline awareness—essential for restoring coherence, safety, and connection. Each fluid in the body holds unique qualities that can be sensed and expressed through movement and touch, opening pathways for healing and transformation.
Module 2: Lymphatic & Fascial Health
Curriculum Highlights
Module 2: Soft-tissue rolling: Lymphatic & Fascial Health
Date: 31st July & 1st August 2027 Interactive Online Training
In this module, you will explore the relationships between movement, soft tissue release, and the health of the lymphatic and fascial systems. You will learn how to support tissue hydration, lymphatic flow, and fascial elasticity—key components in restoring resilience, reducing stagnation, and supporting emotional release and trauma integration.
Through embodied movement, guided touch, and experiential anatomy, you will deepen your understanding of the lymphatic system as a key detoxification and immune support network, and fascia as the body’s living web of communication, structure, and memory. These practices will support your ability to work with stuck, bound, or dense areas of tissue—inviting softness, mobility, and cellular renewal.
Modules 3 & 4: 7-Day In-Person Immersive Residential & Assessments
Modules 3 & 4 — 7-Day In-Person Immersive Residential
Date: 17th-23th September 2027
Location: Rosehip Barn, St Clether, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8QN
The seven-day residential forms the experiential heart of the Intermediate Training. Set within the wild landscape of North Cornwall, this immersive week deepens and integrates learning from the online modules through sustained embodied practice, relational learning, creative exploration, facilitation training, reflection, and assessment.
The Spirituality of Somatics and Moving the Imaginal curricula (Modules 3 and 4) are integrated into the in-person residential, deepening your capacity to work with the spiritual, imaginal, creative, and transformational dimensions of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy. Participants will receive preparatory study materials and training notes before attending, enabling valuable in-person time to focus on embodied exploration, authentic movement, active imagination, improvisation, peer facilitation, feedback, and integration.
Throughout the week, participants will move, witness, facilitate, reflect, and deepen their confidence in working with symbolism, archetypes, imagination, spirituality, and the body's innate wisdom within a supportive learning community.
(WE ADVISE BOOKING YOUR ACCOMMODATION WHEN YOU BOOK THE COURSE).
(Accommodation and meals are not included in the course fee. Details of nearby accommodation options will be shared on booking.)
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Module 3: The Spirituality of Somatics
Module 3: The Spirituality of Somatics
- Exploring the sacred and contemplative dimensions of somatic practice
- Buddhism, Animism, Ayurveda, and East-Asian inspired embodied philosophies
- Matrifocal values, feminine wisdom, and cyclical ways of knowing
- The body as a vessel of consciousness, memory, and spirit
- Eco-somatics and relationship with the more-than-human world
- Integrating the sacred and secular in contemporary practice
- Developing improvisational and relational skills through movement
- Holding space for spiritual embodiment within Somatic Movement Dance Therapy
Module 4: Moving the Imaginal & Integration & Assessments
Module 4: Moving the Imaginal & Integration
- Carl Jung's concept of active imagination
- The archetype of the Self and the journey towards wholeness
- Authentic Movement and the imaginal realm
- Movement as a bridge between conscious and unconscious experience
- Archetypes, symbolism, and personal myth-making
- Accessing and facilitating imaginal movement processes
- Embodied approaches to healing, integration, and transformation
- Improvisation as a therapeutic and creative practice
- Peer facilitation and formative assessment
- Integration of learning across the Intermediate Training
- Embodying the spiritual, somatic, and therapeutic dimensions of practice
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
The Level 2 Intermediate Course is:
- Certified by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM)
- Offered in association with The Association for Somatic Movement Dance Therapies UK & Éire (UKSMDT)
- Structured in alignment with UKSMDT & ISMETA's international guidelines for somatic movement education and therapy training
On successful completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion (100 hours, Level 2 Intermediate in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy), which can be used as evidence of CPD and as the formal entry qualification to Level 3 of this professional training pathway.
(Accommodation and meals are not included in the course fee. Details of nearby accommodation options will be shared on booking.)
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Meet Your Teacher & The Founder of the Somatic Movement Dance Therapy
Vanessa Tucker and Amanda Williamson set the intention to make Somatic Movement Dance Therapy more accessible, while maintaining a high professional standard.
In response to the growing demand for embodied, trauma-informed approaches, they recognised that most professional trainings span over two years and cost £8,000 or more, placing them out of reach for many. To address this, they developed a flexible three-level training pathway:
Level 1 (100 hours) can be taken as a standalone accredited course, or followed by Level 2 (100 hours) and Level 3 (300 hours), completing the 500 hours required for eligibility to apply for professional registration. This structure offers both accessibility and depth, making high-quality professional training more available to those committed to supporting healing and transformation in their communities, while honouring the rigorous standards, breadth of knowledge, and depth of practice required within the field of Somatic Movement Education.
Vanessa Tucker is a registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist (ISMETA) and a registered Somatic Movement Dance Therapist (UKSMDT) with over 30 years of experience in the healing arts. She created the 3 Level structure in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy, alongside Dr. Amanda Williamson, offering creative and transformative learning experiences for working with trauma, deepening practice, refining skills, reconnecting with the innate wisdom of the body and coming home to ourselves.
Through her courses, retreats, women's empowerment work and private healing practice, Vanessa has supported countless individuals on their journey toward health, wholeness and empowerment. Drawing from a rich background in expressive arts, education, psychology, theatre as therapy, meditation, energy healing, clinical hypnotherapy, NLP, therapeutic shamanism, trauma recovery, and somatic movement dance therapy, she brings an integrative and multidimensional approach to her healing, teaching and facilitation.
A lifelong artist of the soul, Vanessa is deeply devoted to the healing of the Earth and the awakening of the human spirit. Her work is rooted in a heartfelt commitment to meaningful healing, personal empowerment, and the creation of compassionate, interconnected communities—spaces where all of life is honoured, and every being has the chance to flourish.
Dr. Amanda Williamson is the founder of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy.
Amanda works with a wide range of people experiencing back pain, joint pain, grief, migraines, addiction, stress, anxiety and depression, as well as people with no specific conditions, but feeling isolated, low and disconnected.
She is one of the pioneers in the field of Somatic Movement Education & Therapy and works across continents supervising PhD. students. She is a ‘Master Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist’ (ISMETA) and registered ‘Somatic Movement Dance Therapist (UKSMDT).
Amanda publishes extensively through practice-as-research, traversing areas such as experiential anatomy and physiology, the spiritual elements in the healing process, socio-cultural theory. Amanda is an Honorary Professor at ‘The Centre for Dance Research (C-dare).
Her most recent book, of which this course is based upon, is Somatic Movement Dance Therapy: The Healing Art of Self-regulation and Co-regulation, Intellect.
Teaching Fees/Exchange/Investment
Option 1: Standalone Course Level 2 (100 Hours)
- Fee: £1,195
- Secure your place with a £395 non-refundable deposit
The Level 2 course fee includes:
- All live online Zoom training sessions (Modules 1 & 2)
- The full 7-day in-person training at Rosehip Barn, Cornwall
- Detailed course notes and reading materials
- Access to the SMDT online learning community
- Certificate of Completion (100 hours, IPHM certified)
Accommodation and meals during the Cornwall intensive are not included. Details of local accommodation options are provided on booking
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Instalments & Refunds
Payment by instalment is available upon asking. A non-refundable deposit secures your place. Instalments must be paid in full before the courses commence.
Refund policy: Deposits are non-refundable. No refunds are given within ten weeks of the course start date. Full refunds are given in the event of course cancellation by the training provider.
For refund policies please see ‘terms and conditions’.
Option 2 : Year 1 Professional Training Pathway 2027 (Levels 1 & 2 200 Hours)
- £1,895 when booked together
- Secure your place with a £495 non-refundable deposit
For students wishing to commit to the first year of the professional training pathway, Level 1 (foundation) and Level 2 (intermediate) can be booked together at a reduced fee. This option provides a seamless progression through the Foundation and Intermediate stages of Somatic Movement Dance Therapy training, supporting the development of embodied knowledge, facilitation skills, and professional practice over 200 hours of study.
By securing both levels in advance, students benefit from continuity of learning, a cohesive training journey, and a saving compared to booking each level separately.
The Year 1 Professional Pathway fees for 2027 include:
- All live online Zoom training sessions for Levels 1 & 2 2027
- The full 7-day in-person training at Rosehip Barn, Cornwall for Levels 1 & 2 2027
- Detailed course notes and reading materials for Levels 1 & 2 2027
- Access to the SMDT online learning community
- Certificate of Completion (200 hours, IPHM certified) for Levels 1 & 2
Accommodation and meals during the Cornwall intensives are not included. Details of local accommodation options are provided on booking
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Explore the Professional Pathway Route in Somatic Movement Dance Therapy
