Ifetayo ‘Ife’ is a licensed clinical professional counselor, registered dance/movement therapist, professional dancer, instructor and group fitness professional. Ifetayo has experience working in residential treatment, in-patient, community mental health, group practices as well as mainstream and therapeutic educational settings. As a dance/movement therapist, Ife assists individuals in strengthening the connection with themselves by developing the relationship between movement and their body, to promote change, find healing and restoration. She works with individuals and groups to reclaim their power by accessing their inner strengths and using those strengths to achieve their goals, overcome challenges and create new behaviors and practices.
As a Chicago native Ife’s passion for dance and movement began within the African drum and dance community of Chicago. Ifetayo went on to study a variety of other dance styles, however traditional West African and Caribbean dance styles remained her passion and inspiration. As a result Ifetayo completed her Master’s thesis at Columbia College of Chicago on the innate healing properties and therapeutic aspects of West African dance for people of the African diaspora in a community setting.
It is Ife’s philosophy that wellness manifests through mental, physical, spiritual, and communal development, thus her belief and passion for holistic health and wellness drive her life's work.
When she is not dancing, meditation and writing are some of Ife's favorite ways to recenter. She also enjoys collecting vinyl, the beach, and live music. 💚
