While it is widely recognized that music contributes to the health and
well-being of societies, the reverse is not necessarily true. Being a
professional musician is a rewarding yet challenging occupation, and the
results of newer survey studies show musicians experience psychological
challenges, like depression and anxiety, at much higher rates than
adults in the general public.
This book introduces Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) as an
intervention for addressing some of the most common problems facing
student and professional musicians across the world. A broadly
applicable model for behavior change, ACT can be used by professionals
in both clinical and non-clinical settings with adequate training. Thus,
this book is intended for musicians and practitioners from various
backgrounds, including psychologists, music teachers, performance
coaches, and others, who are looking for an evidence-based approach for
enhancing music performance, treating performance anxiety, managing pain
and recovery from injury, and coping with other issues like
perfectionism, procrastination, shame, burnout and career uncertainty.
Written by a clinical psychologist/performance coach and a singing
teacher/vocalist in a conversational yet highly informative style, this
book provides a detailed discussion of ACT and the research supporting
it, and it gives step-by-step instructions for using it to treat those
common problems.
INSIDE THIS BOOK YOU'LL FIND
* Practical guides on how to apply the six processes of
ACT--Mindfulness, Acceptance, Defusion, Self-as-Context, Values &
Committed Action--to enhance performance, overcome performance anxiety,
and improve well-being
* Exercises, techniques, metaphors and worksheets you can use as a
musician or a practitioner
* Exclusive interviews with leading experts in psychology and music
performance about how they use ACT and similar strategies within their
practice
* Foreword by renowned performance enhancement coach, Phil Towle
