We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arlela Bethel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Arlela, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I truly believe that my work ethic was derived from those who toiled and broke through barriers to ensure that my ability to flourish in this 21st century global market was not in vain. As I reflect on this question of inquiry, I am reminded of words so eloquently spoken by the late great American activist, Sojourner Truth, who stated in her poem; Ain’t I A Woman; “I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me!” As a mother of four adult children and having had provided a safe and loving home environment for over 150 children as a foster caregiver for over twelve years, my work ethic is rooted in my ability to lead by example and demonstrate that I can be a mother, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, and career focused individual while still taking care of myself physically and emotionally. Additionally, I have experienced many first; First generation college graduate within my immediate family, the first African-American woman in my family to run for City Councilor – at – large in the city where I was reared, and the first in my family to earn a doctorate degree. However, being the first was not an easy feat, considering my humble beginnings, where the odds were stacked against me because I was young, ambitious, and black in a community where only 1% of the population looked like me. Therefore, educational fortitude and access is one of the driving forces behind why I believe it is important to support all individuals to live life with no restrictions in pursuit of your dreams, no matter the color of their skin, what they have, or where they come from, because we all have a story which may have affected us emotionally and traumatically. My ambitious innovation continues to propel me forward, my community keeps me committed to serve, my family fuels me wholeheartedly, and my empathic nature to create change is my source of strength!
For over 25 years, I have been a leader in the field of Health and Human Services and Higher Education. As an experienced Behavioral Health Counselor, I am committed to helping improve the overall health and wellness of both adults and adolescents alike. I take pride in providing genuine, compassionate, and congenial support to all individuals by exploring therapeutic interventions to improve one’s mental health and quality of life. As a scholarly leader and research practitioner, I believe that I have the interpersonal capability and academic discipline to work collaboratively and strategically within teams or individually to ensure successful academic outcomes for all learners inclusive of those learners who experienced academic challenges. Moreover, I believe that I possess the qualities that make me an approachable, confident and strategic leader in the field of health and human services. I consider myself a “Direction Setter,” which by definition is the type of leader who; dreams of a future entirely outside of the present experience. A Direction Setter can see a picture of a desired future, and is willing to do what is required to get there” (Phillips, 2015). These qualities have afforded me the opportunity to deal with pressure situations with an open mind while remaining solution focused. Ultimately, helping to create for myself and my community an environment that allows safe and reasonable opportunities to strengthen independence, empower and nurture a positive self-image, and allows freedom of personal expression. Furthermore, I am committed to issues of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Diversity fuels the uniqueness of the whole spirit. My professional and personal commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, and identity drives me forward daily. Honoring and celebrating diversity and cultural awareness within our community offers the opportunity to work inclusively, perform effectively, approach community concerns with sensitivity, allows me to learn purposefully, and continue to improve constantly. I believe that diversity and inclusion are more than just words. The two terms are principles which guide how one elevates awareness and inquiry, cultivates leaders, and creates a climate that’s the right fit for all and where differences are valued and leveraged. I believe it is important to practice inclusivity which allows all individuals the opportunity to remain expressive and live freely without judgement, in a supportive and resourceful environment.
I believe that ongoing progress and professional development is embedded in my DNA! In December of 2021, in the wake of the health pandemic, I opened a new business to support a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety for those living in fear and social isolation. As a human service practitioner and entrepreneur, my passion lies in introducing relaxation and supportive techniques that energizes the strength of one’s own ability by utilizing therapeutic interventions that are diverse and interactive. I have opened a unique therapy practice in the community called; The Movement LAB. The Movement LAB is a business entity that offers group sessions in Dance Movement Therapy (DMT). Dance Movement Therapy is a therapeutic intervention that is meant to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, manage stress, and other mental health symptoms in a group setting. “Dance movement therapy is the use of creative movement and dance in a therapeutic alliance, while using the relationship between motion and emotion as a vehicle through which an individual can engage in a personal integration towards a clearer definition of self” (Payne, 1992).
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Dr. Arlela Bethel, is a scholarly practitioner and human service professional; she considers it her responsibility, to provide service that is genuine, as well as maintain a balance in her life which is consistent with her educational values, ethical principles, and her professional goals and objectives. As a helping professional and behavioral health counselor, Dr. Bethel strives to remain steadfast in her ability to provide therapeutic interventions that are uniquely tailored to each individual’s needs. Ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Arlela Bethel holds a Doctorate Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling and Supervision from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Arlela Bethel is the owner of; The Movement LAB in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Mission:
This behavioral health practice intends to guide individuals in the development of increased awareness for maintaining a healthy balance between their physical and mental health, by utilizing Dance Movement Therapy as a psychotherapeutic intervention strategy.
Vision:
Decrease mental health symptoms within individuals by at least 20% overtime, through Dance Movement Therapy movements designed to allow the body to express emotions freely and organically.
The Movement LAB sessions provide therapeutic support for the following symptomatic areas:
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Depression
• Self-Development (Imagery/Confidence)
• Discipline
• Self-Awareness (Attention/Focus)
Measurable outcomes are assessed as follows:
• Comprehensive In-take assessment per client upon enrollment (identify symptoms and program treatment goals)
• 3-month assessment to evaluate progress toward identified goals
• 6 – month assessment to evaluate goal achievement and establish new goal (s)
• 1 – year assessment to evaluate overall health improvement outcomes
Goals and Objectives:
1) Reduce anxiety, depression and other mental health symptoms for individuals that have been caused by the impact of fear, trauma, and social isolation.
2) Provide a safe and non-judgmental environment whereby each individual has the opportunity to learn a unique therapeutic intervention that is holistic and utilizes dance and movement as a means to reduce mental health symptoms.
3) Reduce healthcare cost and incidences of increased comorbid health conditions because individuals will learn supportive mental health strategies that will reduce negative incidences of mental health symptoms and enhance their overall health and wellness.
The Movement LAB offers group and individual sessions for ALL, as well as Movement On-The-Go sessions whereas the dance practitioner is contracted to provide sessions at a business or organization in the community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have been acquired and most impactful on this journey are; * Listen with your ears and not with your mouth; it is easy to give advice but that is not what is always needed. Sometimes it is okay to sit “In Silence,” listen, remain present, process the information that is shared and learn while actively listening.
* Acknowledge your mistakes and hold yourself accountable; it is very difficult to allow one’s vulnerability to show, that is what happens when we make mistakes and hold ourselves accountable to the mistakes we have made. Know that it is okay and learn from the past so that it does not dictate the future, we are not perfect and we will have moments of imperfection, “embrace it, and move on.”
* Pay it forward; always be kind, find time for teachable moments and leave a legacy that you can be proud of. I have no regrets, I have enjoyed the journey and all that comes along with it, the mistakes, the risks, the hardships and the successful outcomes. If we do not try, how will we know if we can succeed!
Normalizing that there may be obstacles to overcome as one pursues happiness and a work ethic that is balanced may be an understatement, In spite of life’s challenges and unforeseen obstacles, I will continue to remain humble, intentional, and create opportunities for sustaining a “Growth Mindset, which by definition means, “one’s ability to thrive on challenges and do not see failure as a way to describe oneself, but as a springboard for growth and developing one’s own abilities” (Dweck, C., 2015).
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Dr. Arlela Bethel, is a scholarly practitioner and human service professional; she considers it her responsibility as a clinician, to provide service that is genuine, attain balance in her life which is consistent with her educational values, ethical principles, and her professional goals and objectives. As a helping professional and behavioral health counselor, Dr. Bethel strives to remain steadfast in her ability to provide therapeutic interventions that are uniquely tailored to each individual’s needs. Ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Arlela Bethel holds a Doctorate Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling and Supervision from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Arlela Bethel; is the owner of, The Movement LAB in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Mission:
This behavioral health practice intends to guide individuals in the development of increased awareness for maintaining a healthy balance between their physical and mental health, by utilizing Dance Movement Therapy as a psychotherapeutic intervention strategy.
Vision:
Decrease mental health symptoms within individuals by at least 20% overtime, through Dance Movement Therapy movements designed to allow the body to express emotions freely and organically.
The Movement LAB sessions provide therapeutic support for the following symptomatic areas:
• Anxiety
• Stress Management
• Depression
• Self-Development (Imagery/Confidence)
• Discipline
• Self-Awareness (Attention/Focus)
Measurable outcomes are assessed as follows:
• Comprehensive In-take assessment per client upon enrollment (identify symptoms and program treatment goals)
• 3-month assessment to evaluate progress toward identified goals
• 6 – month assessment to evaluate goal achievement and establish new goal (s)
• 1 – year assessment to evaluate overall health improvement outcomes
Goals and Objectives:
1) Reduce anxiety, depression and other mental health symptoms for individuals that have been caused by the impact of fear, trauma, and social isolation.
2) Provide a safe and non-judgmental environment whereby, each individual has the opportunity to learn a unique therapeutic intervention that is holistic and utilizes dance and movement as a means to reduce mental health symptoms.
3) Reduce healthcare cost and incidences of increased comorbid health conditions because individuals will learn supportive mental health strategies that will reduce negative incidences of mental health symptoms and enhance their overall health and wellness.
The Movement LAB offers group and individual sessions for ALL, as well as Movement On-The-Go sessions whereas the dance practitioner is contracted to provide sessions at a business or organization in the community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have been acquired and most impactful on this journey are; * Listen with your ears and not with your mouth; it is easy to give advice but that is not what is always needed. Sometimes it is okay to sit in “silence” listen, remain present, process the information that is shared and learn.
* Acknowledge your mistakes and hold yourself accountable; it is very difficult to allow ones vulnerability to show, that is what happens when we make mistakes and hold ourselves accountable to the mistakes we have made. Know that is it okay and learn from the past so that it does not dictate the future, we are not perfect and we will have moments of imperfection, “embrace it, and move on.”
* Pay it forward; always be kind, find time for teachable moments and leave a legacy that you can be proud of. I have no regrets, I have enjoyed the journey and all that comes along with it, the makes, the risks, the hardships and the successful outcomes. If we do not try, how will we know if we can succeed!
Normalizing that there may be obstacles to overcome as one pursues happiness and a work ethic that is balanced may be an understatement, In spite of life’s challenges and unforeseen obstacles, I will continue to remain humble, intentional, and create opportunities for sustaining a “Growth Mindset, which by definition means, “one’s ability to thrive on challenges and do not see failure as a way to describe oneself, but as a springboard for growth and developing one’s own abilities” (Dweck, C., 2015).
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My mother has been the fortress that has helped me remain grounded, and focused so that I kept my eyes on the prize. My children and my loving family are an essential testament to my professional commitment, humility, and perseverance toward successful growth and development. More importantly, my husband and life partner has helped me by supporting every entrepreneurial endeavor that I have established without judgement, while sustaining the household, so that I can complete my post secondary education, and build a business plan and open businesses. Whether the business was successful or not, he has always supported the will and determination that I have to create opportunities for myself and those in my community that promote health, wellness and improvements in an individual’s overall quality of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: themovementlabma.com
- Instagram: themovementlabma
- Facebook: facebook.com/ThemovementlabMA
Image Credits
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