Erica Hornthal explains how movement, micro-movements, and body awareness reshape mindset, reduce stress, and support mental health healing.

Erica Hornthal shares how movement—far beyond traditional exercise—plays a powerful role in shaping mindset and mental health. She explains how micro-movements, body awareness, and redefining movement can help release stress, manage chronic pain, and prevent burnout. This conversation explores the mind-body relationship, why movement is essential at every stage of life, and how accessible, gentle motion can become a daily tool for emotional resilience and healing.

Erica Hornthal, a licensed clinical professional counselor and board-certified dance/movement therapist, is the CEO and founder of Chicago Dance Therapy. Since graduating with her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, Erica has worked with thousands of patients from ages three to 107. Known as the “Therapist Who Moves You,” Erica has truly changed the way people see movement with regard to mental health; moving people toward unlimited potential, greater awareness, and purpose by tapping into their innate body wisdom. In addition to her passion for working with cognitive and movement disorders, neurologic conditions, anxiety, depression, and trauma, Erica is an advocate for the field of dance/movement therapy. Erica created the Dance Therapy Advocates Summit in 2020 in order to spread awareness, inspire, and connect individuals and practitioners from all over the world. Erica recently published her first book, Body Aware: Rediscover Your Mind Body Connection, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Improve Your Mental Health With Simple Movement Practices.