About

Mentally Fit & Emotionally Strong

Why STEPPS?

Dance is enormously challenging and competitive. For example, out of the over 800 dancers who auditioned for Rambert2 in 2018 (the junior company of Rambert, a world-renowned dance company), only 13 were selected. To add to this pressure, numerous existing issues in the industry were exacerbated by COVID-19.

Consequently, initiatives that ensure dancers’ mental health and wellbeing are becoming ever more essential. During lockdown, Terry Hyde MA MBACP, STEPPS’ CEO and psychotherapist, offered over 1000 free and discounted sessions to dance professionals and students. Following the pandemic, he decided to extend this work and offer training to others through the founding of STEPPS.

Prior to becoming a charity STEPPS has already made considerable progress in delivering its aims and objectives. The Board is stacked with professionals across a range of industries and is supported by part-time staff and volunteers. STEPPS will fundraise to establish programmes that will ensure dancers and professionals can take care of their mental health, alongside promoting sector-wide change.

  • Support, training
    Support, Training,
  • Education, Performance,
  • Psychotherapy and Solutions

Testimonials

The Late Dame Beryl Grey CH, DBE

I was pleased to read that you help dancers with their mental health problems. Your being able to encompass their families and those involved in their lives must, I think, play a big part in ongoing support and recovery. As an ex dancer, you are in a unique position to understand the strains and stresses of dance and performance and can draw on your personal experience to help and inspire others. I wish you continuing success with your valuable work.

``I am so incredibly grateful for the way you have supported me, during being an inpatient in an eating disorders unit. I really don’t think I could have got through this without your help, exploring my past, behaviours, how I think and how those around me have impacted me. With you I have grown in confidence having learned so much more about myself and the determination and resilience I have to succeed. You consistently listened to me, and not once dismissed what I said. You have gone above and beyond to help and the work you do with dancers is admirable, I know that anyone who has worked with you will feel the same.``- A W - Student dancer
``Terry has been a massive help to me and I literally feel like I’ve been through a massive life detox. He has helped me uproot a lot of my subconscious worry and manage past life events. He has helped me understand myself better through different approaches and techniques. I am now in a place where I am much more full of energy. My IBS has nearly gone, I feel happier and less worried about things! Thank you Terry! You are amazing!``- Claire – Choreographer/rehearsal director
``Terry provided a safe space for self discovery. After just a few sessions I felt I had shifted completely from where I was. He was never focused on ‘fixing’ or dictating a diagnosis, but instead on allowing and guiding me to make my own observations for us then to discuss. He suggested areas for further independent research which I loved and continue to dive in to. Terry gave me the time and space to consider things about my past and present in their true form, without bias or defence or judgment, and to look at them with honest curiosity. Then I could see clearly the impact they have on who I am today.``- P.H. – Actor
Dance shoes
Dancers on their phones

Our Aim

Dancers and other artists, regardless of socioeconomic background, are often faced with unique challenges throughout their training and professional careers. STEPPS was created with the goal of providing accessible and specialised mental health support. Through educational workshops, Mental Health First Aid training and online counselling sessions, STEPPS looks to spread awareness of dance-specific mental health issues and work towards a healthy dance profession. 

MENTAL HEALTH SELF-CARE WORKSHOPS

The interactive Mental Health Self-Care Workshops have been created for performing arts students aged 13+, and for adult professionals. They are also suitable for teachers, physical therapists, dance science students and parents. Workshops run for between 90 minutes and two hours, with additional time for one-to-ones if required. The talks cover not only how to recognise mental health symptoms, but also how they can specifically present in performers. Break-out groups allow attendees to explore subjects such as relationships with food,body image, perfectionism, and the impact of social media. A discussion regarding the relationship between mental health and injuries is included, as this can help with injury rehabilitation and prevention. Participants learn a variety of techniques and coping strategies to help them in all aspects of their performing life. Due to the highly personal and individual nature of some of the issues discussed, a few short and confidential sessions can be offered after each workshop.

Tailor-made workshops can also be provided upon request. For example, a one-hour workshop specifically targeting performance, audition and exam anxiety is available.

Terry Hyde giving a workshop to dancers