For those experiencing stress in school, work or other setting, graduate students in SUNY Fredonia’s Music Therapy program may be able to provide welcome relief.
Guided Imagery and Music, an alternative to talk therapy, uses music to promote relaxation, reduce stress and explore ideas and emotions. During the spring term, students enrolled in MUTY 630: Theory and Practice of Guided Imagery and Music will conduct free, one-time Guided Imagery and Music sessions for students, faculty and staff as part of their training.
The graduate-level Guided Imagery and Music course at SUNY Fredonia is taught by nationally recognized GIM trainer Madelaine Ventre, MT-BC, LCAT, FAMI.
Individuals will have the opportunity to experience a free GIM session now through mid-April. A graduate student who is also a board-certified music therapist will facilitate each session. On-campus appointments, available after hours and on weekends, can be scheduled by emailing FredoniaGIM2012@gmail.com.
These sessions use carefully selected sequenced classical music programs to help individuals to use the music and the imagery elicited from the music toward stress reduction and self-awareness.
Guided Imagery and Music was pioneered by music therapist Dr. Helen Bonny at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center in the 1970s and has developed into a well-researched advanced method of music therapy, explained Dr. Joni Milgram-Luterman, MT-BC, LCAT, director of Music Therapy at SUNY Fredonia.
The Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy at SUNY Fredonia, which began in 1976, has produced hundreds of board-certified music therapists. The Master in Music Therapy degree program was launched last fall to provide advanced training in music therapy and address the New York State License for Creative Arts Therapists. Both degree programs are approved by the American Music Therapy Association and the National Association for Schools of Music.
