American Music Therapy Association

Explore the transition from the structure of a 50-minute group to a series of 10–15-minute individual sessions with multiple patients due to social distancing restrictions caused by COVID-19. This population has varied severity of symptoms and functioning abilities. (During this work, an N95 mask with a shield was worn by the therapist while the patient wore a surgical mask, and 6-feet distance was maintained.)  See how song-based approaches to vocal psychotherapy can engage patients who are challenged by acute symptoms.  Multiple clinical examples will be provided. As acute psychiatric units have likely transitioned back to group work, this brief single-session approach remains applicable, as it allows patients who are unable to tolerate the group setting an opportunity to still benefit from music therapy. 

Presenter(s): Lisa Jackert, MA, MT-BC

3 CMTE-credit course

This course is eligible for LCAT CE Contact Hours (the same number of CMTE credit hours specified above) for continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs) in New York State. AMTA is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0055

Learning Objectives

Objective #1: Participants will identify 2 ways to promote clients’ willingness to use their voice. CBMT: III A. Implementation 1. Develop a therapeutic relationship by: a. being fully present, authentic, and respectful. b. building trust and rapport. c. establishing roles, boundaries, and expectations. d. providing ongoing acknowledgement of progress and reflection. e. providing a safe and contained environment. f. recognizing and managing aspects of one’s own professional and personal biases, feelings, and behaviors that affect the therapeutic process (e.g., transference and countertransference).  2. Provide individualized music therapy experiences to address client’s: a. b. ability to use music independently for self-care. tt. self-esteem. uu. self-motivation, 5. To achieve therapeutic goals: f. employ functional skills with 6. voice. g. improvise using instruments, voice, or movement.

Objective #2; Participants will identify an example of one opening intervention and one closing intervention that promotes the client’s expression while providing safe containment.
CBMT –Domain II. D. Treatment Planning: 13. Structure and organize music therapy experiences within each    session to create therapeutic contour (e.g., transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, intensity).

Schedule

• 15 minutes- musical introduction of presenter, course objectives and participants
• 15 minutes –Discussion of the clinical population and COVID restrictions
• 35 minutes- Discussion and demonstration of brief single session design- beginning, middle, closure -
• 15 minutes- break
• 30 minutes- examples of clinical work
• 20 minutes- break out rooms for participants to brain -storm ideas for brief individual session approaches for their patients
• 15 minutes -discuss results of break out rooms – review of course objectives
• 10 minutes: final questions, musical closure –
• 10 minutes: course evaluation