American Music Therapy Association

Basic verbal skills are necessary for effective and competent practice at every level of music therapy, yet there is limited literature on how to learn, teach, and supervise verbal skills. Learn from a comprehensive four level framework, basic to advanced, as a foundation for developing and using verbalization that fits the scope and level of practice, client needs, and ethical practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will discuss the ethical use of verbal skills in music therapy scope of practice, music therapy levels of practice, and in practice regulations. (CBD 20202 V B 5)
2. Participants will explain key components of verbal skills in music therapy treatment implementation across four levels of music therapy practice. (CBD 2020 III. A.1. c. d. e.)
3. Participants will identify 3 ways in which verbal interventions could cause potential harm for clients. (BCD 2020 I 3 Safety)

Schedule:

• 1:15 – 1:25 Introduction
• 1:25 - 1:45 Overview of Verbal Skills in Music Therapy Literature
• 1:45 – 2:15 Defining Communication
• 2:15- 2:35 Verbal Skills in Music Therapy Scope and Levels of Practice
• 2:35 -2:55 Group Discussion – Current Practice in developing verbal skills
• 2:55 – 3:15 Verbal Skills Basics
• 3:15 – 3:35 Break
• 3:35- 3:55 Verbal Framing
• 3:55- 4:15 Verbal Exchanges
• 4:15- 4:25 Break
• 4:25-4:45 Verbal Interactions
• 4:45- 5:05 Verbal Interventions
• 5:05- 5:25 Group Discussion – Incorporating Verbal Skills framework into practice
• 5:25 – 5:45 Break
• 5:45 – 6:00 The influence of words on music and music on words
• 6:00– 6:15 Questions, comments, wrap-up