Therapist Hosted Dance Party for Emotional Processing
A Los Angeles event integrates bilateral stimulation techniques into a group dance setting for local residents.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Dancing
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Licensed marriage and family therapist Jane Garnett has launched a series of group dance parties in Marina del Rey that incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) techniques. The $25 events are designed to help participants work through stuck feelings in a social setting.
Why it matters
By moving bilateral stimulation out of the clinical office and into a group dance environment, the events aim to make stress-processing techniques more accessible to the public. These gatherings provide a new community-based space for individuals looking to address everyday emotional challenges.
A recent event in Marina del Rey hosted 55 women who engaged in butterfly tapping and free-form dance. The effectiveness of this group-based application remains unknown, as current EMDR protocols are typically designed for individual clinical sessions.
The players
Jane Garnett
A licensed marriage and family therapist who leverages her background as a former film producer to organize wellness-focused group events.
The details
Participants practice butterfly tapping, a form of bilateral stimulation, on their clavicles while synchronized to the beat of a metronome. Throughout the 12,000-square-foot warehouse space, attendees also utilize various forms of movement, including climbing ropes, using workout rings, and engaging with balance balls to assist in processing daily stressors.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The article reporting on the dance party events was published.
Health Landscape
These dance parties reflect an ongoing shift toward integrating traditional somatic therapy techniques into accessible, community-led wellness environments. This movement represents a departure from the exclusive use of clinical settings for bilateral stimulation therapies.
These events use rhythmic tapping and movement, which are worth discussing with your doctor if you are currently in therapy for trauma or emotional distress. Individuals should confirm with a clinician whether group-based somatic exercises are appropriate for their specific care plan.
The takeaway
The events highlight how rhythmic movement and bilateral stimulation are being adapted for group-based emotional processing. If you are interested in exploring somatic techniques, consider starting a conversation with your primary care provider or therapist about whether these methods align with your health needs.
What happens next
Jane Garnett plans to host these events on a monthly basis moving forward, with intentions to increase the emphasis on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing techniques in future sessions.
Further reading
Explore more local approaches to movement and wellness in our Dancing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stars and Stripes.
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