Counselling for Dancers

11/04/2026

NEW THERAPIST ALERT - Welcome, Hannah! ✨

Hannah is a BACP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in the performing arts. She trained at English National Ballet School, London, and spent 15 years working as a professional ballet and contemporary dancer.

Hannah has worked with students at English National Ballet School and is currently employed by Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, where she offers one-to-one therapy and delivers bespoke workshops on topics such as self-esteem, managing stress and resilience. She also collaborates with dance companies including Birmingham Royal Ballet. Hannah works in private practice, and her clients include actors and musicians.

21/02/2026

"Why Community?

Eating disorders can be isolating, making people feel alone whether someone has an eating disorder themselves or whether they are supporting someone.

We’re celebrating the power of community and the vital role family, friends, and other support networks play in helping someone feel supported, understood, and never alone on their journey from seeking help, undergoing treatment and beyond.

We'll be talking about different types of community, the role of online communities and highlighting the importance of good wellbeing for everyone.

Join us in raising awareness — share your stories, show your support, and help us spread the message that you're not alone."

- Beat Eating disorders

13/02/2026

In memory of Matz Skoog
(1957–2026)

We are deeply saddened by the death of Matz Skoog, who passed away on 7 February after a short and aggressive illness.

Matz was one of the founding trustees of STEPPS. When the idea for the charity was first formed, he was the person Terry Hyde approached. From the outset, Matz offered not only encouragement but clarity, wisdom, and practical support. He helped shape STEPPS in its earliest days, offering guidance on trusteeship and leadership, and holding the long term vision of what the organisation could become.

As part of that early support, Matz introduced Terry to Denise Fiennes (past Chair) and James Ellis-Rees (Interim Chair), recognising both Denise and James's values and their capacity to help STEPPS grow. Their friendships and shared commitment to dancers’ welfare helped lay strong foundations for the charity, foundations that continue to support its work today.

Matz’s involvement in STEPPS was a natural extension of the values that guided his whole life. He cared deeply about dancers, not only as artists, but as human beings. He understood the pressures of the profession from the inside and believed strongly that dancers deserved proper care, understanding, and support for their mental health and wellbeing. STEPPS exists in no small part because of that belief.

Matz’s contribution to the dance world was profound. Born in Stockholm and trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School, he enjoyed a distinguished international career as a dancer, artistic director, teacher, and adviser. He was widely respected for his artistry, his humanity, and his thoughtful leadership, qualities that left a lasting mark wherever he worked.

To those of us at STEPPS, Matz will be remembered above all as a quietly influential presence: generous with his time, perceptive about people, and unwavering in his belief that dancers’ wellbeing matters.

Our thoughts are with his wife Amanda and their two sons, and with all who knew and loved him. We hold them in mind with deep respect and gratitude for the life Matz lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

With thanks and remembrance,
STEPPS

13/01/2026

12/01/2026

The Counselling for Dancers reminder series - designed to inspire and support vocational dance students and professional dancers ✨

Cultivate Resilience: Develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks stronger than before. 💪

08/01/2026

I had an interesting and enjoyable time at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance Symposium, seeing old colleagues and meeting new ones. My talk on supporting neurodivergent dancers was well received. The day ended with an enjoyable and humorous performance by the dance group Verve, made up of students from NSCD. ❤️

Opening speeches by Sharon Watson MBE, CEO & Principal of NSCD, Darren Carr, Vice Principal, and the keynote speech was given by Helena Gaunt Principal Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. 🤩

07/01/2026

The Counselling for Dancers reminder series - designed to inspire and support vocational dance students and professional dancers ✨

Practice Mindfulness: Engage fully in the present moment to enhance focus and enjoyment ☯️

03/01/2026

Ashton's Cinderella 1965/66 - 60 years ago. I was in my first year at the Royal Ballet Upper School age 16. Fonteyn and Nureyev performed the leading roles in December 65. I was in awe of these big stars as well as the RB Principals in the other performances. Now at 76, I can look back at all these wonderful memories.

22/11/2025

08/11/2025

What are expert ways to mitigate or navigate dancers' overly perfectionistic tendencies? Although this is something every dancer at every level struggles with, it somehow still exists as a lingering problem.

Get ready for a brand new episode of learning and expanding in the varied world of dance with Terry Hyde of for dancers. Welcome to Episode 7, Season 3, Conversation with a Dance Counselor. Link below 👇

https://www.backgrounddancer.com/s3e7

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