Deborah Seabrook, PhD MTA RCC

When you work with me, you’re receiving a unique blend of the highest standards of psychotherapy, clinical counselling, music therapy, and musicianship that I have been developing over the past 20 years.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#17031), a Certified Music Therapist with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (#0334), and a Climate Aware Therapist with the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America.

I earned a PhD from Concordia University where my research focused on music improvisation, mental health and well-being.

 I hold a Master of Music Therapy with a specialization in Music-Centered Psychotherapy and an Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy with General Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Before becoming a music therapist, I studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

I have provided clinical supervision to over 100 university students, interns, and professionals. I have taught music therapy extensively at universities across Canada, most recently at McGill University. I am currently a Research Fellow of the Manfred and Penny Conrad Institute for Music Therapy Research (CIMTR) at Wilfrid Laurier University.

CPA-NA Member
CPA-NA-Member

My Core Values

Creativity

Our creativity is connected to our well-being.

Everyone has the ability to create, from making dinner to composing a symphony! What is most exciting to me is when we create to intentionally harness our creativity and serve our well-being. The process of creation can be inherently uplifting, even when we are creating about a troubling topic. I specialize in offering structured, supportive music experiences to connect with your creativity, health, and well-being.

Connection

Valuing our connections with ourselves, each other, and our world.

Despite being hyper-connected through technology and social media, we can sometimes feel isolated and alone. Taking time to meaningfully connect with our inner selves, like-hearted people, and the larger world around us can help us feel grounded, healthy and strong. I am grateful to live on Vancouver Island, where hikes in the forest and by the ocean nurture my connection to myself and to the natural world.

Integrity

The highest standards of clinical care and confidentiality.

As a therapist who often works with people who are public figures and performing artists, clinical responsibility and confidentiality are essential to me. I continually upgrade my training, am active in my professional communities, and publish my research in reputable scholarly journals. When working with me, you can rest assured that you will be treated with the utmost skill, confidentiality, and care.

Enjoyment

Finding moments of enjoyment in everyday life.

My time as a music therapist in palliative care taught me to prioritize enjoyment in everyday life. This can mean simpler things like savouring a cup of tea, and larger things like enjoying a well-earned vacation. My work aims to help you and your clients experience enjoyment through music-making. This can be useful for people who have never played an instrument before and for professional musicians. Therapeutic music-making can help us cultivate enjoyment in our lives.

Wellness

How we understand wellness can affect how we see ourselves and navigate the world.

I value a strength-based and subjective approach to wellness. Being strength-based means that my work focuses on activating inner resources and strengths to address mental health challenges. A subjective approach means that I understand we each have our own wellness experiences, set-points, and goals – one size doesn’t fit all! I work with therapists to create experiences that are a fit for you and your clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Read some of our most common questions and answers below:

About Deborah Seabrook, PhD MTA RCC

I hold a PhD specializing in music improvisation, mental health, and well-being. I also earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in music therapy. I am accredited with the Canadian Association of Music Therapistsand registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.

I have completed additional courses in counselling psychology and Mindful Self-Compassion. I am an advanced internship supervisor with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists, a classically trained pianist with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and an experienced university instructor in music therapy.

I’m thrilled to now be offering this program supporting mental health professionals to integrate music into your clinical work.

I blend psychotherapy, clinical counselling, and music therapy in my
clinical work. My approach is client-centered, meaning that I honour the inner knowing of the people I’m working with while providing a therapeutic experience that allows that inner self to heal and flourish.
My practice is informed by mindful self-compassion principles and I practice empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard with my clients.
I also integrate structured musical experiences to support client goals. These can be transformative experiences that facilitate self-expression and connect clients with their creativity.
I bring an anti-oppressive lens to my work as well as awareness of the impacts of the climate crisis on our mental health and well-being.

About Music-Integrated Therapy Training

Great question! This is a personal choice depending upon how much you would like to engage with the material. How much time you set aside will also fluctuate weekly depending upon the topic.

In general, please plan to set aside 2-5 hours each week.

Please note that this is in addition to the time spent in the live instructional sessions.

The current training rates are available here for the Individual Program and here for the Group Program.

Details about the payment plans can be found at the above links.

Seabrook Music Therapy occasionally offers scholarships for the Group Training Program. If you’re not already on our email list, you can sign up to receive email updates, including announcements of any scholarship opportunities.

Seabrook Music Therapy does not provide scholarships for the Individual Training Program.

You might also explore financial resources to support your training through your communities, such as your professional association or workplace.

Seabrook MT

Seabrook Music Therapy operates on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.  This land is also Treaty territory of the Williams Treaties and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. I am grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and play on this land.