Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) for Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) (3-week course)

In this updated three-part course, you will learn how to detect symptoms of music performance anxiety (MPA) among your students/clients and whether those symptoms are problematic or not. You will also learn about Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), an evidence-based psychotherapy and coaching model that aims to promote mindfulness and acceptance of one’s MPA symptoms, while also enhancing performance skills by increasing actions consistent with a musician’s values.

ACT can be used in non-clinical settings by practitioners other than psychotherapists, and when applied non-clinically it is called Acceptance and Commitment Training or Coaching. Newer research suggests ACT coaching may be a promising intervention for treating MPA by singing teachers with no formal training or education in psychotherapy (Shaw, Juncos & Winter, 2020; Brussel, 2022; Kutsal, 2022; Mahony, Juncos & Winter, 2022; Paul, 2022; Ballard, 2023; Heasman-Cossins, 2023; Zenobi & Juncos, 2023). You will learn ACT techniques that are safe for use in non-clinical settings to help your students effectively manage their MPA.

Part 1: Defining and Detecting Problematic Levels of MPA

• MPA definition
• Detecting problematic levels of MPA using categories of MPA symptoms
• Understanding how problematic MPA develops and is maintained

Part 2: ACT Skills for Effectively Managing MPA & Increasing Artistic Presence

• Ethical issues in doing this work as a non-clinical ACT practitioner
• Mindfulness
• Acceptance
• Defusion

Part 3: ACT Skills for Taking MPA Less Personally & Enhancing Overall Performances

• Cultivating a More Flexible Sense of Self & Musician Identity
• Identifying One’s Performance or Practice Values
• Committed Action