![newcourtland-196-natasha Testimonials](https://natashagoldstein.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/newcourtland-196-natasha.png)
“Not only does she inspire movement and creative expression, she also creates moments of true human connection.”
“Natasha is an exceptionally skilled clinician, dedicated educator, and passionate advocate for those she serves. With deep connections in the aging, wellness, and creative arts communities, Natasha has spent over two decades providing evidence-based, inclusive, and accessible integrative care practices. Her work significantly enhances the quality of life and health outcomes for older adults, individuals living with dementia, and their care partners across healthcare and community settings.
Known for her genuine caring presence, Natasha connects personally with clients, establishing herself as an exceptional support system. She consistently delivers the highest quality of care, going above and beyond as a diligent, responsible, and excellent communicator. Her sensitivity to multicultural diversity and equity, coupled with a commitment to minority health, strengthens her advocacy for inclusive care.
Natasha also brings extensive expertise in healthcare administration, higher education program leadership, adjunct instruction, and curriculum development for Creative Arts Therapy programs. Her integrity and thorough approach in these roles have earned her the highest respect both professionally and personally.
For anyone seeking a highly qualified and compassionate dance/movement therapy interventionist, Natasha brings both expertise and heart to her practice, dedicating herself to promoting community wellness and enhancing the quality of life for all.”
Minjung Shim, Ph.D., BC-DMT
Assistant Professor
Department of Creative Arts Therapies
College of Nursing & Health Professions
Director of Mind-Body and Movement Research for
Whole-Person Health Lab
Drexel University
“I absolutely love to watch Natasha work with a group. Not only does she inspire movement and creative expression, she also creates moments of true human connection. Her empathy and her playfulness put each person at ease, even when the world might be a pretty scary place for them.”
Emily S. Gavin, MS, OTR/L
Rehabilitation Services Manager
Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
“I write this letter of recommendation for Natasha Goldstein-Levitas, who has served as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Faculty Ambassador at the University of the Arts. Natasha has been an invaluable asset to our team, particularly in her role as the leader of our Faculty Ambassador Program within our Graduate Program. Her focus on community building has been instrumental in shaping inclusive spaces for our campus stakeholders. Natasha deeply understands the intersectionality of mental wellness and therapy within the broader scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her work is grounded in a historical understanding of social justice and civil rights, making her contributions timely and deeply rooted in a commitment to systemic change.
Natasha’s leadership as a DEIA Faculty Ambassador has been transformative. She has helped us recognize the importance of shifting our perspective towards a social inclusion model of thinking. I wholeheartedly recommend Natasha Goldstein-Levitas. Her commitment to equity and inclusion is unparalleled, and her contributions to our community have been immeasurable. My work with Natasha has been one of the best moments of my career.”
Stephen Cirino
Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
“As a guest artist for our Memory Arts Cafe, Natasha Goldstein-Levitas was a delight to work with. Her skill set at creating a participatory dance workshop for people living with dementia and their care partners was outstanding. Her creativity and passion stands out among the many artists we have worked with over our 10 years of programing.”
Gary Glazner
Founder and Executive Director,
Alzheimer’s Poetry Project,
and Co-producer,
Memory Arts Cafe
“It has been my privilege to have the opportunity to work with and collaborate with Natasha Goldstein-Levitas in various capacities on multiple NewCourtland initiatives for over a decade. Natasha approaches therapeutic programming with innovation and creativity working in multiple settings across the NewCourtland Network. She uses this creativity in conjunction with incredible therapeutic abilities to engage seniors at various functioning levels and motivates them with programming that focus on wellness and the pursuit of healthier life styles. Natasha is a highly dependable, responsive individual with incredible attention to detail in the delivery of her craft. In this regard, I credit Natasha with mitigating the debilitating effects of loneliness, helplessness and boredom, which are the major contributing factors leading to senior frailty. Natasha is highly regarded by the NewCourtland staff and the constituents we support.”
R. Max Kent
Vice President of Operations and Plans
NewCourtland Senior Services
Philadelphia, PA
“Natasha brings the ‘light’ into the room…Participants leave the session feeling revived!”
“I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Natasha on an interactive, dance therapy video for the Keep On Moving TV project. Natasha came prepared and creatively responded in the moment to the music we were making together! She exuded positive energy and spoke clearly, confidently, and empathetically! Looking forward to another collaboration.”
Marlon Sobol, LCAT, MT-BC
Musician and Music Therapist;
Founder, Music Therapist at Komitoms, Inc.
“I can use many influential and positive words to describe Natasha’s work with the older adults at Mercy LIFE, but one word that stands out is engaging! Natasha brings the “light” into the room, as well as the therapeutic aroma, memorable songs from our seniors past lives, to sing along to and reminisce. The most engaging piece is the calming adaptive dance movements Natasha incorporates for our participants to mimic while seated in their wheelchairs and chairs. The seniors who we may not typically see moving much, talking and socializing, are suddenly sitting up straight, smiling and even singing during Natasha Dance/movement therapy group. With Natasha’s modality added to the centers’ leisure programs, our participants have become more active, more eager to engage, and look forward to Natasha’s group. As a recreation therapist, I have seen participants who have depression, arthritis, and even dementia, sing along word for word, dance and laugh during Natasha’s Dance/movement therapy group. The conversations Natasha has with participants through music and movement are therapeutic and interactive. Participants leave the session feeling revived! I have worked with Natasha for many years and I am especially glad to share her expertise in Dance/movement therapy with our seniors at Mercy LIFE, especially those with cognitive deficits and dementia.”
Chanel Coleman, CTRS
Recreation Therapy Manager
Mercy LIFE
Philadelphia, PA
“The seniors who we may not typically see moving much, talking and socializing, are suddenly sitting up straight, smiling and even singing”
“Natasha brings with her a peaceful and healing energy that transcends and transforms the environments in which she serves… Natasha helps our clients feel well again in the midst of their dis-ease. Indeed she is a gifted practitioner.”
Aginah Shaw, BS, CTRS
Center Director
InnovAge Pennsylvania LIFE, St. Bart’s
Philadelphia, PA
“Dance/Movement therapy is one of Germantown Home residents’ favorite activities. Natasha’s gentle approach combines dance, movement, reminiscing and guided imagery which the residents enjoy and respond extremely well to. The smile and the kind expression on Natasha’s face encourage participation, and the softness of her voice soothes the soul.”
Ludmila Kovatcheva
Assistant Nursing Home Administrator
NewCourtland Germantown Home
Philadelphia, PA