Myrtue Therapists to Present at State Conference

(Harlan) – An innovative and original group therapy program developed at Myrtue Medical Center will have a state-wide platform this May at the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association Conference. Mental health therapists Denise Kinney, LMHC, RYT, and Katie Sandquist, LMHC, NCC, will present a workshop on Movement Therapy, a unique group treatment model that weaves together multiple evidence-based therapy approaches into a transformative group series.

Kinney and Sandquist have long had a shared passion for bridging the gap between mind and body in therapeutic work. They both have extensive training in therapies with strong research support, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Adlerian Play Therapy. They also both completed certifications in Trauma-Informed Yoga and Somatic Attachment Therapy. Their diverse training experience motivated them to find a group program that could pull together the best of these approaches. When they could not find what they were looking for, they built it themselves.

Kinney led the way in creating and piloting Movement Therapy, a group treatment model that helps clients reconnect with their bodies, process stress and trauma, and build resilience using tools such as movement, breathwork, sensory engagement, and social connection. Rooted in well-established therapeutic methods and tailored to meet diverse client needs, the program has now expanded. Kinney has further developed specialty tracks for adults covering stress and emotion regulation, disordered eating, and supporting recovery. Sandquist has added to the program, creating Movement Therapy for Kids, with options for three age ranges: 5 to 8, 9 to 12, and teens.

“Healing happens when you’re seen, heard, and in connection with others,” said Kinney. “That is what Movement Therapy is all about.”

In their session at the IMHCA Conference, Kinney and Sandquist will share development and core elements of Movement Therapy with other mental health therapists from across Iowa. They will also provide experiential learning, guiding attendees through practices used in group. Kinney and Sandquist are also exploring replicating the program across the state.

“This isn’t just a presentation—it’s an invitation,” said Sandquist. “We want to collaborate with therapists across Iowa to bring Movement Therapy into more communities, so more children and adults can benefit from these tools. Ultimately, improved mental healthcare benefits all of us, and we want that for Iowa.”

As interest in body-based and trauma-informed therapies continues to grow, Movement Therapy at Myrtue’s Behavioral Health represents a creative local innovation in the mental health field, offering professionals a fresh, effective, and accessible model for healing.

Myrtue offers multiple sessions of Movement Therapy throughout the year for both children and adults. Adult groups include three specialty tracks: stress and emotion regulation, disordered eating and body image, and addiction recovery. Groups for children are tailored to three age ranges: 5 to 8, 9 to 12, and teens. Movement Therapy for Kids focuses on introducing children to core information on the nervous system and stress responses. The series also equips parents and caregivers to make movement and breathing practices a regular part of family life for mental health resilience.

Movement Therapy integrates into the wide spectrum of mental healthcare at Myrtue, including outpatient therapy, medication evaluation and management, substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and community-based services. To learn more about services or to reach out for support, contact Myrtue at 712-755-5056 or visit https://www.myrtuemedical.org/services/behavioral-health.