Samantha Goddard: Bridging the Gap Between Parents and Young People Through Therapy

We’ve been doing this long enough to know that behind every woman-led health company, there’s a story worth hearing. Often, when someone is drawn to a particular calling, there’s a compelling reason behind it. That’s one of the reasons we love working closely with small business owners – their story and their “why” is what fuels their passion every day.

This was no different when we met Samantha Goddard, a former professional dancer turned Rapid Transformational Therapist and Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist. While the world of dance brings immense joy and creativity, Sam has experienced its darker, more competitive side, which can sometimes become toxic, especially for young dancers.

Now, as a mother herself, Sam is determined to break this cycle and help others to find resilience, control and self-worth.

The pressures of the dance world

Sam’s dance journey began early, training at renowned institutions like The Goodman Dance Academy, led by Len Goodman, and Liz Burville Performing Arts. She has performed at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium, even dancing on stage with Simply Red at the Brit Awards. Dancing is in her DNA!

However, behind the glitz and glamour lay a darker reality, especially for a young girl trying to find her identity. A dance studio can also be a place of brutality – constant criticism, being called overweight, forced onto the scales in front of peers and endless scrutinising in front of mirrors. A teacher at a ballet college attended by Sam even encouraged her to take up smoking to suppress her appetite and lose weight. Sadly, young Sam succumbed to the pressure and eventually battled with bulimia.

For impressionable young dancers, the constant focus on weight and appearance led them to believe their value was tied to how they looked.

Samantha Goddard - young dancer at Len Goodman's dance academy

A young Sam at The Goodman Dance Academy, with her team called ‘Vision’

From movement to mindset

After retiring from professional dancing, Sam transitioned into a career in nutrition and fitness.

Given her background in movement, the shift felt natural, and addressing nutrition seemed like the logical next step. However, Sam soon realised that for many of her clients, their struggles weren’t really about food. A recurring theme emerged: body image.

The deeper she dove into her clients’ stories, the more she saw how emotional and psychological factors, often rooted in past experiences, were driving their relationship with their bodies – echoing the very challenges she had faced during her dance career.

What is Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)?

Frustrated by the lack of this kind of support and guidance for young people, Sam felt compelled to do more. In 2020, she trained in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT), a therapeutic approach that uses hypnosis and cognitive techniques to address deep-seated emotional challenges, helping clients quickly shift negative beliefs and behaviours. With this powerful tool, Sam set up her own practice, determined to make a difference.

As a mother of three – two of whom are teenagers – Sam is especially focused on not only helping children overcome body image issues but also equipping parents with the tools they need to support their kids.

The 2021 House of Commons report underscores the urgency, revealing that 66% of under-18s feel negatively about their bodies, and many avoid activities like physical education due to appearance worries. With 70% of children not learning about body image in school, Sam is committed to closing that gap and fostering healthier mindsets for both kids and their families.

Learn more about RTT with Sam here.

Guiding the next generation

Some of the common issues Sam encounters in young people struggling with self-esteem and body image include anxiety, self-harm, restrictive eating, aggression, social withdrawal and more.

These behaviours often stem from deep-rooted insecurities and pressures, which can manifest in harmful ways if left unaddressed. Through her RTT practice, Sam helps young people and their families navigate these challenges with practical exercises and education, to take control of their emotional responses, understand the power of their thoughts and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Learn more about Sam’s work in schools.

Samantha Goddard’s top tips for parents: the power of acknowledging your child’s feelings

Knowing how to communicate with your child – whether they’re a pre-teen, teen, or young adult – can feel like navigating a minefield. Sam, drawing from both her professional and personal experiences, shares some valuable tips she uses with her own family:

“As a mum of three (including two teenagers), I rely on these steps to help my children feel heard, understood, and supported while guiding them toward a more positive outlook.”

1] Ask About Their Feelings

Instead of asking what happened, ask open questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “How do you feel about what happened?” This helps them explore and express their emotions and get to the root cause of the issue.

2] Acknowledge and Validate

Instead of aiming to understand the event, shift your focus to understanding their emotional response. You might say, “I can hear you’re feeling frustrated and angry,” or “I can see you’re feeling hurt and upset.” By acknowledging their feelings, you are helping them feel heard, accepted and supported.

3] Avoid Fixing or Minimising

As parents we just want to take the pain away and help them feel better. Resist the urge to downplay the situation by saying things like, “I’m sure they didn’t mean to upset you.” This could make them feel their emotions are being dismissed.

4] Keep Going

Repeat steps 1 & 2 as needed. Just like gas, feelings are less painful when they are released.

5] Shift Their Perspective

Once they’ve expressed their emotions, gently help them see the bigger picture. “People who feel good about themselves don’t usually put others down. Only hurt people, hurt other people. What do you think might be going on in their life to make them act that way?”

6] Focus on Positives

Encourage them to move their thoughts towards something more positive. Ask, “What went well today?” or “What was a better part of your day?” Alternatively, guide them to imagine a positive future experience or mention an event they are looking forward to.