Beyond the Voice: Mental Health, Counseling & the Singer

Service Description

The voice is more than an instrument. For singers, the voice is deeply connected to identity, confidence, emotional well-being, and self-expression. When vocal challenges arise, the impact often extends far beyond what we hear. As voice teachers and clinicians, we regularly encounter singers navigating performance anxiety, perfectionism, frustration, vocal injury, and the fear of losing trust in their instrument. But how do we respond when technical solutions alone aren't enough? In this interactive, 90-minute workshop, voice-specialized speech-language pathologist Natalie Sheppard and licensed mental health therapist and specialist Evan Kardon bring their complementary expertise together to explore the intersection of mental health, counseling, and voice care. Through practical counseling-informed strategies, real-world case examples, and collaborative discussion, participants will explore how to recognize emotional and nervous-system responses that may influence singing, communicate more effectively during challenging moments, and support singers while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. The goal isn't to become a mental health therapist. It's to become a more informed, responsive, and collaborative voice professional. What You'll Explore The mind-body-voice connection: Understanding how stress, emotional experiences, and nervous-system responses can influence vocal function and recovery. Counseling-informed communication: Using reflective listening, motivational interviewing, and thoughtful language to build trust and support meaningful change. Supporting singers through challenges: Navigating perfectionism, performance anxiety, vocal injury, frustration, and changes in vocal identity. Practical strategies for the studio and clinic: Applying supportive communication and greater awareness through realistic, singer-centered case scenarios. Knowing when to refer: Recognizing professional boundaries and opportunities for collaboration with mental health providers. Who Should Attend? Voice teachers, speech-language pathologists, singing voice specialists, vocal coaches, and other professionals who want to deepen their understanding of the emotional and psychological dimensions of singing and voice care. Supporting the whole singer begins with understanding the person behind the voice. Friday, November 13, 2026 | 9:00–10:30 AM CST | Virtual REGISTER NOW