The Training will consist of two parts:
AN EXPERIENTIAL YEAR - Consisting of three one-month or four three-week residential modules (Mon.-Fri. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), separated by interim practice and research periods. These units are interdependent and must be taken in sequence.
Module One :
1. Beginning the Song and Dance: The Core Principles of VMT
- The ten vocal components identified in VMT
- The non-vocal principles particular to VMT
- Choreography of developmental movement within the context of VMT
- Creative application of the vocal and non-vocal components to the investigation of the self through the voice
2. The Singing Self: An Introduction to VMT Creative Process Work and Song-Making
- Introduction to the practice of active imagination
- The recognition and creation of acoustic archetypes and sub-personalities in sound and movement
- The role of vocalization and simple song-making in the development of affective language, meaningful speech and
a sense of self - The journey into the shadow world through voice, movement and enactment
Module Two :
3. The Voice Unchained: An Introduction to VMT Therapeutic Process
- VMT massage, manipulation and compression work
- The therapeutic principles of VMT and how they are used
- Somatic transference and counter-transference within a creative group framework
Module Three :
4. The Heart of Voice Movement Therapy
Student demonstration of competencies through presentations and performances; overview and ethical considerations. Sessions for those who elect to enter the second, or Qualifying Year, which will deal with issues regarding: taking on practice clients, individually and in groups; finding supervision, on-site and otherwise; fulfilling the requirement for one's own experience of therapeutic process.
Overview:
- Placing VMT in the context of the Expressive Arts Therapies
- Placing VMT in the context of related movement and voice-based disciplines that serve individuals who have special needs
- Ethical considerations and guidelines, and presentation on diversity and anti-bias
NON-RESIDENTIAL QUALIFYING PERIOD in which the trainee, under supervision:
- Sees 3 practice clients for 20 sessions each, keeping extensive case notes and writing a case study for each;
- Facilitates 1 group of 3 or more people for 8 sessions, also keeping notes and writing a group case study;
- Writes a short thesis on a topic of interest directly pertaining to VMT and arising from the case work.
The principal teachers of the Foundation Training are the only VMT practitioners who have had the experience of teaching daily with founder Paul Newham on complete trainings in the United Kingdom and the United States. Of the seven trainings which he conducted, Brownell taught on three and Isherwood taught on two, after which they established the Foundation Training in the USA.
Training Fees and Details:
Tuition: 6,000 USD Foundation Course Experiential Year
2,000 USD Qualifying Period
Total: 8,000 USD Complete Program
Lodging at The Tucker Inn,
Laundry and Cooking Facilities Available
150 USD per week