Mary L. Patterson, MA, LPC, BC-DMT, CAADC (she/her) is a board-certified dance/movement therapist, licensed professional counselor, and certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor. She earned her Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from University of Wisconsin–Madison. Mary currently works as a creative arts therapist and behavioral health therapist at Penn Medicine, where she provides individual and group treatment in inpatient and outpatient substance use, behavioral health, and co-occurring settings. She has most recently served in an instruction and clinical supervision role as adjunct faculty at Drexel University.

Her work centers on the integration of dance/movement therapy, substance use treatment, and trauma-informed behavioral healthcare. During her graduate studies in Philadelphia, she was active in facilitating community movement opportunities at The Attic Youth Center and the Drexel Dornsife Center for Community Partnerships. Patterson is a former professional company dancer with Philadanco and freelance dance artist. She has presented nationally on dance in education, dance/movement therapy, and the use of creative arts therapies in substance use treatment.

Academic Distinctions

• Clinical Supervisor Award, Drexel University (2024, 2025)
• Outstanding Alumni Nominee, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024)
• Clinical Excellence Award, Drexel Department of Creative Arts Therapies (2017)
• Powers-Knapp Merit Scholar, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007-2011)

Professional Society

Selected Publications

Corby, K., LeFeber, M. M., & Patterson, M. L. (2022). Interdisciplinary integration: Linking differentiated p(arts) to create accessible dance experiences. Journal of Dance Education, 22(3), 181–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/15290824.2022.2098302

Patterson, M. & Melsom, A. M. (2022). Dance/Movement Therapy: A trauma-informed approach to engagement in the treatment of substance use. In R. Dieterich-Hartwell & A. M. Melsom (Eds.), Dance/movement therapy for trauma survivors: Theoretical, clinical, and cultural perspectives. Routledge.

Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, 2017
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, 2011
University of Wisconsin-Madison