Ph.D., University of the Cumberlands

M.A., Columbia College, Chicago

B.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Hired in 2017

Mariah Meyer LeFeber is a dance/movement therapist, licensed professional counselor, and educator. A native Midwesterner, she graduated with a degree in dance and psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and then went on to Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her master’s degree in dance/movement therapy and counseling. In Spring 2022, Mariah completed her Ph.D. in Leadership with a Specialization in Counselor Education and Supervision through the CACREP accredited program at the University of the Cumberlands. Mariah has worked extensively in the field of dance/movement therapy, serving groups and individuals, presenting internationally, and supervising dance/movement therapists. She has authored several chapters on her work with children. Mariah taught at the University of Wisconsin – Madison dance department from 2010-2015, where she combined her passions for dance education and dance/movement therapy in the co-creation of Performing Ourselves, a youth dance outreach program.

In 2016, following a move to Portland, she started teaching as an adjunct professor in the Master of Arts in Counseling program. She joined the MAC team as full-time faculty in August 2017. In her free time, she enjoys taking dance classes just for the fun of it, and spending time with her husband and two daughters – especially traveling, playing games, and having living room dance parties.

Faculty Headshot Mariah LeFeber

Publications

  • LeFeber, M. (2009). The movement’s message: Dance/movement therapy & children with autism. In Brooke, S. L. (Ed.), The use of creative arts therapies with autism spectrum disorder. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishers.
  • LeFeber, M. (2007). Healing the worshiping body: Dance movement therapy in an evangelical Christian church (Master thesis).
  • LeFeber, M. (2014). Dance/movement therapy & autism. In Siri, K. & Lyons T. (Ed.), Cutting edge therapies for autism. (Vols. 1-4). New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.
  • LeFeber, M. (2014). Working with children using dance/movement therapy. In Green, E. & Drewes, A. (Ed.), Integrating expressive arts and play therapy with children and adolescents. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Publishers.
  • LeFeber, M. (2022). Movement initiation: Beginning a career in dance/movement therapy. In Bailey, S. (Ed.) Creative arts therapies careers: Succeeding as a creative professional. Routledge.
  • LeFeber, M. (2022). Dance/movement therapy supervision: A Delphi study. Doctoral Dissertation. University of the Cumberlands.