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A registered psychotherapist and credentialed music therapist, I received my Master and Doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto. My extensive music therapy and psychotherapy experience involves working with clients across the lifespan as well as: older adults; individuals diagnosed with dementia, cancer, terminal or mental illness, learning disability, developmental delay, & autism; individuals living with Parkinson's, stroke, traumatic brain injury; and those who have experienced trauma or who are seeking expanded awareness. I also have a small private practice Notes by Amy founded in 1995, where I offer music therapy, and psychotherapy services.
I am an active researcher, and I have been fortunate to have given 15 keynote talks, as well as to have delivered over 200 conference and invited presentations around the globe, at events such as the World Congresses of Music Therapy, European Music Therapy Congresses, and the International Congresses on Palliative Care. I have written 45+ peer reviewed publications, co-authored a book and multiple book chapters, and I serve on the editorial review board for 8 international journals.
I am active in service work for the professions of music therapy and psychotherapy, and currently serve as Past-President of the World Federation of Music Therapy, and Managing Editor of the Music & Medicine Journal. I have served the Canadian Association of Music Therapists in the roles of President, Past-President, Internship Chair and currently as a task force member.
My main areas of interest include: music therapy and music psychotherapy in support of healthy aging, mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan; dementia care; relationship completion through music; singing for health; anxiety; music for sleep, relaxation and pain; vibroacoustic therapy, clinical internship and supervision and clinical assessment.
My current research projects include:
“Effect of Vibrotactile and Music Stimulation on Dementia”: A collaborative project with Dr. Lee Bartel, Susan Zorz, Danielle Nicholls at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
“An Explanatory Sequential Inquiry on Music Therapy and Performance Anxiety in University Music Education Majors.” I am the Primary Investigator for this study being conducted at the University of Toronto.
“Development and Applicability of a Standardized Music Therapy Assessment Tool: Pilot Investigation”: A collaborative study with Kensington Health, Taylor Kurta and Nadine Persaud.
“Scoping Review and Analysis of Singing in Palliative Care, Oncology and Bereavement Music Therapy”: A collaboration with Rebecca Wright. This review is focused on the following question: What does the literature and research acknowledge as the role of singing as a therapeutic intervention in music therapy sessions with adults in palliative care, oncology and bereavement settings?
“Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation and Alzheimer's Disease”: A collaborative series of research studies with Drs. Lee Bartel, Heidi Ahonen, Morris Freedman, Michael Evan & Dr. David Tang-Wai including the published pilot and a case study. Our team is continuing to explore Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation through additional case studies.
“Feasibility of Using Vibroacoustic Gamma Stimulation in Advanced Dementia Context”: A collaboration with Matthew McPhee, and Drs. Yael Goldberg, Morris Freedman & Lee Bartel.
"Understanding Group Singing in Older Adults from a Psychosocial Perspective": A collaboration with Dr. Frank Russo, Arla Good, and Francesca Copelli.
Awards
- 2018 Certificate of Appreciation, for Dedication and Contribution as a Preceptor; Baycrest Centre for Education and Knowledge
- 2017 Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing; Arts is Psychotherapy Journal, Elsevier Publications
- 2016 Certificate of Appreciation; Canadian Association for Music Therapy
- 2015 Values in Action Award; Baycrest Centre
- 2014 Outstanding Health Discipline Teaching Award; Baycrest Centre
- 2013 Educator of Character; Character Community Foundation of York Region
- 2013 Outstanding Health Discipline Teaching Award; Baycrest Centre
- 2011 Recognizing Arts Vaughan Excellence (RAVE) award; Outstanding Contribution by an Arts Educator/Mentor
Grants
- 2019 Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals; Transition to Betterness ($16 250)
- 2019 Research Grant to Investigate Performance Anxiety; Institute for Music in Canada ($1 000)
- 2019 Research Grant to Investigate Performance Anxiety; Joint Consortium of Research ($2 500)
- 2018 Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals; Transition to Betterness ($16 250)
- 2017 Research Grant to present at AMTA Conference; Wilfrid Laurier University ($1 500)
- 2017 Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals; Transition to Betterness ($16 250)
- 2016 Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals; Transition to Betterness ($15 000)
- 2015 Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)
- 2014 Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)
- 2013 Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in Singing (AIRS), Student Research Assistant Grant ($4,000
- 2013 Transition to Betterness Grant, Music and Medicine Program, Windsor Regional Hospitals ($15,000)
I am excited to interact with students who want to develop their research skills by assisting and collaborating with me on my research projects. Please send me an e-mail to connect.
I value supervising music therapy placements, and I meet the qualifications to provide music therapy as well as registered psychotherapy supervision. To date, I have provided over 3500 hours of clinical supervision to students at Wilfrid Laurier, the University of Toronto, University of Windsor, and in my private practice. I have developed a supervisor training course approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, and I am passionate about the topic, having conducted two studies on the music therapy internship experience.
At present I provide clinical supervision to music therapy students at Wilfrid Laurier University in both undergraduate and graduate levels.
You can find a number of my articles on the WLU Scholars Common Portal.
- Clements-Cortés, A. & Yip, J. (2019). Social prescribing for an aging population, Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 43(4), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/01924788.2019.1692467.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2019). Alive inside, dead outside: Cultural implications of the Documentary Alive Inside. Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture, 10(1 & 2), 39-51. doi:10.1386/iscc.10.1-2.39_1.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2019). A sequential mixed-methods study of pre-professionals’ understanding of the undergraduate music therapy internship, Journal of Music Therapy, 56(3), 209-239.
- Clements-Cortés, A. & Haire, C. (2019). Music therapy in the treatment of depression: Implications for individuals recovering from non-degenerative, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Music and Medicine, 11(2), 108-114.
- Clements-Cortés, A. & Bartel, L. (2018). Are we doing more than we know? Possible mechanisms of response to music therapy. Frontiers in Medicine, 5 (Article 255), doi: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00255.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2018). I am still alive. Music and Medicine, 10(3), 168.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2018). Relationship completion in palliative care music therapy: Clinical case example-Part 1, Music and Medicine, 10(2), 80-90.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2018). Relationship completion in palliative care music therapy: Clinical case research overview and results-Part 2, Music and Medicine, 10(2), 91-97.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2017). Singing and vocal interventions in palliative and cancer care: Music therapists' perceptions of usage, Journal of Music Therapy, 54 (3), 336-361.
- Clements-Cortés, A. Ahonen, H., Freedman, M. & Bartel, L. (2017). The Potential of Rhythmic sensory stimulation treatments for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Music and Medicine, 9(3), 167-173.
- Clements-Cortés, A. Ahonen, H., Evans, M., Tang-Wai, D., Freedman, M. & Bartel, L. (2017). Can rhythmic sensory stimulation decrease cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease? A clinical case study. Music and Medicine, 9(3), 174-177.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2017). Artful wellness: Attending chamber music concert reduces pain and increases mood and energy for older adults. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 52, 41-49.
- Clements-Cortés, A. & Klinck, S. (2016). Voices of the dying and bereaved: Music therapy narratives. New Braunfels TX: Barcelona.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2016). Adding music therapy to the care plan. Journal of Palliative Care and Pain Management, 1(1), 1-2.
- Clements-Cortés, A., Ahonen, H., Evans, M., Freedman, M. & Bartel, L. (2016). Short term effects of rhythmic sensory stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease: An exploratory pilot study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 52(2), 651-660. DOI 10.3233/JAD-160081.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2016). Development and efficacy of music therapy techniques within palliative care. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 23, 125-129. 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.04.004
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). Clinical effects of choral singing for older adults. Music and Medicine, 7(4), 7-12.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). Singing for health, connection and care. Music and Medicine, 7(4), 13-23.
- Clements-Cortés, A. (2015). A survey study of Pre-professionals’ understanding of the Canadian music therapy internship experience. Journal of Music Therapy, 52(2), 221-257.
- Clements-Cortés, A. & Bartel, L. (2015). Sound stimulation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Annals of Long Term Care, 23(5), 10-16.
- Honouring the Passage, Voices from Hospice Music Therapy & Beyond, Various Artists, CD Baby, 2014. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/carolynkoebel
- Buddy’s Glee Club: Growing Older, Singing Better, CD produced from Glee one research study participants in Adult Day Centre, Baycrest, Sept 2013.
- Soothing Relaxation Journeys, Original scripts and music, Sept. 2011.
- By The Shining Waters CD, Original songs and piano music composed in collaboration with a palliative care music therapy client, June 2010.
- Episodes of Relationship Completion CD, May, 2009.
Solo Performance
- Apr. 25, 2012, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, French & English Art Songs.
- Sept. 21, 2011, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, Jewish Folk Songs, Italian Art Songs.
- May 18, 2011, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Tauba and Solomon Spiro Atrium Concert, Broadway, Opera, Jazz , Italian Art Songs.
Performance in Small Ensemble
- Jul. 4, 2017, 15th World Congress of Music Therapy, Tsukuba, Japan. World Music Therapy Day Song. World Federation of Music Therapy Council.
- Jul. 3, 2016, European Congress of Music Therapy, Austria, Vienna. World Music Therapy Day Song, World Federation of Music Therapy Council.
Performance in Large Ensemble (Section Leader)
- May 20, 2011, New York, New York, Lincoln Centre, Mass Opus 1 by: Vijay Singh, Distinguished Concerts International.
- Mar. 06, 2010, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Sacred Songs, Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
- Jan. 19, 2009, New York, New York, Lincoln Centre, Stabat Mater by: Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
- Mar. 16, 2008, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Mozart Mass in C Major, Distinguished Concerts International.
- Jan. 21, 2008, New York,New York, Carnegie Hall, The Armed Man by: Karl Jenkins, Distinguished Concerts International.
- Jan. 16, 2007, New York, New York, Carnegie Hall, Verdi Requiem, Pierre Perron Singers.
Involvement in Non Profit Music Performances
- Jan. 2008 - present, Member of DCINY, New York, New York.
- Jul. 2007 - present, Member Jonathan Griffith Singers, New York, New York.
- Mar. 1995 - present, Cantor and Music Director, Sacred Heart Church, Kitchener, Ontario.
- Oct. 2006 - Jun. 2009, Member Opera York Chorus, York Region, Ontario.
- Nov. 2005 - Jan. 2007, Member Pierre Perron Singers, Toronto, Ontario.
Every student brings their own unique contributions and creative gifts to their learning and subsequent entry into the profession of music therapy. I believe instructors have a privileged role as scholars and educators, and I love teaching and supervising at Wilfrid Laurier University. I endeavour to establish a learning environment that is safe, comfortable, positive and inclusive. Teaching is a collaboration, in which we learn from each other on the journey and leave the path more knowledgeable, having grown and transformed. Given the reputation of Laurier, I am honoured to share that I am contract academic faculty.
- NMT-F-Fellow: Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy - 2017
- RP: Registered Psychotherapist, CRPO – 2015
- NMT: Neurologic Music Therapist Certification – 2013, 2016
- MT-BC: Music Therapist, Board Certified, CBMT – 2012
- FAMI: Fellow, Association Music and Imagery – 2012
- CBMT: Approved Provider, Certification Board Music Therapy – 2011, 2017
- MTA: Music Therapist Accreditation – 2000