DIRFloortime-Based Music Therapy Practice

Training Overview

Course Format
Fully Asynchronous
Total CMTE Credits 25
Total Instructional Time 1252 minutes
Total Course Hours 20.87 hours

Course Fee
$249 USD (Course is valued at $375 USD)

Course Description

DIRFloortime Based Music Therapy Practice is a comprehensive asynchronous continuing education course designed to help music therapists integrate developmental science and relationship based clinical practice directly into their work.

DIRFloortime emphasizes the development of foundational social, emotional, and intellectual capacities through developmentally informed, relationship-based engagement. This course examines the theoretical foundations of the Developmental Individual Difference Relationship Based model and demonstrates how music therapy can be integrated in terms of providing musical experiences within a DIRFloortime framework.

Participants explore the D, I, and R components as an integrated clinical system, including in depth study of the Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities and Musical Emotional Levels. Floortime is examined and presented as the systematic interactive relationship-based process through which developmental capacities are supported in music therapy practice.

The course then bridges directly into music therapy assessment and practice and how DIR principles are embodied within Music therapy clinical work. Clinical video examples and applied learning activities support translation of theory into practice, enabling music therapists to implement developmentally informed work within their own settings.

What Participants Receive

  1. Full video lecture library with on demand access
  2. All PowerPoint lecture materials
  3. Selected research articles and foundational book chapters
  4. Podcast materials and transcripts
  5. Clinical video demonstrations
  6. Musical Emotional Level framework instruction

Learning Outcomes and Board Certification Domains

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify the Developmental component of DIR and apply it within music therapy practice
    Knowledge 3A-3, 3A-6, 3A-11; Tasks 32, 33, 36
  2. Identify the Individual Differences component of DIR and apply it within music therapy treatment planning
    Knowledge 2B-5; Tasks 12-13, 18-19
  3. Identify the Relationship Based component of DIR and apply it within music therapy clinical interaction
    Knowledge 2D-2, 2D-7, 2D-8; Task 26
  4. Define Floortime and implement its principles within music centered assessment and intervention
    Knowledge 3A-6, 3A-10, 3A-11; Tasks 33,36

Prerequisites

Certification in music therapy or an equivalent credential from a recognized accrediting body. Students and other professionals may register and will receive a participation certificate. CMTE credits are awarded only to eligible credentialed music therapists.

Instructor

Dr. John A. Carpente, PhD, MT-BC, LCAT, DIR-C is a professor of Music Therapy at Molloy University and the founder and executive director of The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy and Center for Child Development and Autism at Molloy University. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Carpente is an internationally recognized clinician, researcher, and educator; a pioneer of DIRFloortime-based music therapy research and clinical practice; and has published extensively on music-centered assessment and developmental practice, working closely with Dr. Stanley Greenspan, co-creator of the DIRFloortime model.

CMTE Information

DIRFloortime Based Music Therapy Practice is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists for 25 Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. Developmental Music Health Services LLC Approved Provider P 255 maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Evaluation

Participants will complete the CBMT Quality Assurance Survey to receive their certificate.

Grievance Policy

Participants may submit concerns in writing within 2 weeks of course completion to info@DMHmusictherapy.com. All grievances will receive a written response within 2 weeks and may include clarification, review of materials, or additional support. Participants may submit a formal appeal if they are not satisfied with the resolution. After completing this process, participants may contact the CBMT Continuing Education Committee if concerns remain unresolved.

Refund Policy

All registrations are final. No refunds are issued. Course materials and recordings remain accessible for the designated access period.

Course Schedule

Focus: Provides a comprehensive foundation in DIRFloortime and its direct application within music therapy practice. Time below includes video lectures, podcasts, clinical demonstrations, and reading. Hours below includes video lectures, readings, and video and audio podcasts.

Module Description Topics & Hours
Module 1: Foundations of ASD and the DIR Model Introduces neurodevelopmental frameworks, research foundations, and core DIR concepts that ground the entire course.
Welcome, overview and course materials10 mins
Overview of ASD25 mins
ASD treatments and research evidence25 mins
DIR model foundations20 mins
Research article review30 mins
Module 1 Total110 mins
Module 2: Presenting the DIR Model Examines the structure of the DIR framework including Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities and Musical Emotional Levels.
Overview of the DIR model40 mins
Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities43 mins
Musical Emotional Levels39 mins
Circles of Communication and 2-way purposeful interaction40 mins
Module 2 Total162 mins
Module 3: The Developmental Component Deepens understanding of developmental progression and explores higher level musical engagement including improvisation and songwriting.
Functional emotional levels continued58 mins
Songwriting, improvisation and higher level developmental work80 mins
Module 3 Total138 mins
Module 4: Individual Differences Explores sensory processing, nervous system considerations, and individual profiles that shape clinical interaction.
Understanding individual differences and sensory systems28 mins
Module 4 Total28 mins
Module 5: Relationship Based Practice Focuses on affect, attachment, and relational engagement including affect diathesis theory and integration with music therapy models.
Relationship based model review83 mins
Affect diathesis theory45 mins
Integrating Music Therapy with DIR45 mins
Module 5 Total173 mins
Module 6: Floortime and Music Translates Floortime principles directly into musical interaction, emphasizing affect mobilization and relational musical play.
Mobilizing affect through musical play97 mins
Podcast: What Floortime Is and Is Not51 mins
Podcast transcription reading30 mins
Module 6 Total178 mins
Module 7: Music as a Domain of Health Positions music therapy as a primary domain of health within DIR and explores IMCAP and Musical Emotional Levels in applied practice.
Music as a health domain70 mins
Overview of IMCAP and Musical Emotional Levels40 mins
Music centered clinical lesson25 mins
Video podcast: Realizing Floortime principles in music therapy50 mins
Module 7 Total185 mins
Module 8: Musical Emotional Assessment Introduces the Musical Emotional Assessment Rating Scale and examines music centered evaluation processes.
Musical Emotional Assessment Rating Scale65 mins
IMCAP ND developments article30 mins
Module 8 Total95 mins
Module 9: Clinical Video Application Applies Musical Emotional Levels through structured clinical video analysis and discussion.
Clinical video analysis and application61 mins
Module 9 Total61 mins
Module 10: Crafting Developmentally Based Goals Bridges developmental understanding into clinical documentation including target measure context and Goal Attainment Scaling.
Crafting goals target measure and context52 mins
Goal Attainment Scaling article60 mins
Module 10 Total112 mins

Total Instructional Time: 1252 mins

Total Course Hours: 20.87 hours

Total CMTE Credits: 25

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