Vocal psychotherapy

Domain VIII · Creative & expressive arts therapies · Diane Austin · 2008 · New York, USA

What it is

Vocal Psychotherapy is a depth-psychological, voice-centred form of music psychotherapy developed by Diane Austin (DA, ACMT, LCAT; Music Psychotherapy Center, New York; formerly NYU). Austin defines it as using breath, natural sounds, vocal improvisation, songs and dialogue inside the…

Format

• This is not a manualised, phase-numbered protocol. Austin teaches a developmental sequence for vocal holding and says it is "NOT and never should be a recipe". What follows is the structure her sources describe, with session-level organisation marked as synthesis.
• Format and setting. Individual, usually long-term, in-depth psychotherapy in private-practice or clinical settings. Therapist sits at the piano (or another harmonic instrument) beside the client, in separate seats. The client guides content and pace and the therapist responds with sung and spoken…

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• Professional frame: this is an advanced, post-qualifying method for music therapists. Austin runs a two-year certificate in Vocal Psychotherapy and Depth Psychology through the Music Psychotherapy Center, New York, in New York and as an international distance programme (UK cohort advertised via BAMT; earlier distance programmes in Vancouver and, for 12 years, Seoul; the international multicultural programme in…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• breath slows and the client is present and oriented.
• use as a bypass of grief or anger (time it after, not instead of, difficult work).
• repeated dissociation means the work is too deep or too fast; return to breath and songs.
• repetition turning mechanical or overwhelming. Working when: the voice changes (cracks, deepens, softens) and feeling shows.
• clients who cannot name any need (offer "I don't know what I need" as a valid start). Working when: the statements become more specific and felt.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.