Jo-Anne Laflèche

Jo-Anne LaFlèche is a clinical psychologist specializing in the performing arts. She holds an MA in dance and did post-graduate studies in somatic education. In addition to her private practice in psychotherapy, she works at the École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec as a consulting psychologist and as a teacher in psychology and psychopedagogy. She offers psychological support to students in need. She gives continuing education workshops to the school's teachers, as well as workshops on personal growth through movement and self-esteem to students in Secondary 1 and 2.

Jo-Anne gives workshops and lectures on performance psychology and psychopedagogy to various members of the dance community, both nationally and internationally. She has written several articles and educational resources about the mental health of dance performers. She is a consulting psychologist for Dance Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine.

She is also a member of the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) and International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). She is a member of several international working groups on the physical and mental health of dancers: IADMS Mental Health Advisory Group, Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health, Personal Safety for Dance (PSD) and Bridge Dance Project. Since 2017, she has served on the Board of Directors of Healthy Dancer Canada and held the position of Co-Chair in 2020-2021.

Quick thought to remember: Take care of yourself to dance better and longer!