Verbal Counselling and Psychotherapy Techniques for Music Therapists (6 CMTEs, 4.75 LCAT contact hours)

Presented by Joel Kroeker RCC, MA, MMT, MTA 

Course Description:

This self-study online course will introduce participants to the most essential counselling and psychotherapy techniques and approaches including:

• How to say what you really mean and hear what was really said
• Exploring the verbal dynamics of transference
• Projective identification
• Working verbally with resistance
• Deep listening for somatic meaning
• Blending theoretical frameworks with expressive processes
• Honing clinical judgement
• Using words to build rapport
• Engaging with personal mythology
• Ethical issues around clinical note taking.

After a brief overview of the history and theoretical foundations within the counselling and psychotherapy fields participants will be introduced to various verbal approaches for honoring deeper issues within our work with children, youth and adults including trauma, anxiety, depression, loss and grief.

Through the application of multiple learning styles including lecture presentation format, aural and visual case study material, discussion, evidence-based research and experiential interactions we will explore implications for blending verbal and nonverbal approaches within a music therapy context.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify at least 2 of the main principles within the field of verbal psychotherapy
• Participants will be able to name at least 1 specific counselling strategy for working with music therapy populations
• Participants will be able to identify 2 ethical issues when implementing verbal counselling skills
• Participants will be able to describe how musical training translates into therapeutic verbal interactions

Course Schedule and Format:

30 minutes –  Introductions and Overview

30 minutes – Background, Theory and History of Verbal Counselling within Music Therapy

We’ll discover where verbal approaches are situated historically and theoretically in relation to music therapy and the therapeutic models that you are most familiar with.

1 hour – Overview of verbal counselling methods

Through experiential examples, participants will be introduced to the most essential counselling and psychotherapy techniques and approaches including the verbal dynamics of transference, projective identification, working verbally with resistance, deep listening for somatic meaning, blending theoretical frameworks with expressive processes, honing clinical judgement, using words to build rapport, engaging with personal mythology and ethical issues around clinical notetaking. We will explore the most essential principles and how you can immediately incorporate these into your own work. 

one hour – Verbal  interventions that work

We will explore various verbal approaches for honouring deeper issues within our work with children, youth and adults including trauma, anxiety, depression, loss and grief and how to mix musical and verbal approaches within our work. Examples will include a wide range of contexts including working with individuals, groupwork, and working with all ages across the entire life cycle.

45 minutes –  Q&A and Wrap up

Evaluate by feedback form

1 hr – Homework Assignment Self-Study

CBMT Domain Areas: 

4. Integrate the following theoretical orientations into music therapy practice: Psychodynamic , Cognitive and Humanistic

II. Treatment Implementation 5.j) provide verbal and nonverbal guidance

A) B.3. Recognize the potential harm of verbal and physical interventions during music experiences and use them with care

II. Treatment Implementation. A)Implementation. ak) Verbal and/or Vocal Responses

Verbal Counselling and Psychotherapy Techniques for Music Therapists is  approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 6 CMTEs-Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The Spiegel Academy, CBMT Approved Provider #P-106,  maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Joel Kroeker’s Ted talk:

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