Laura Beer, Ph.D.
Professional Title: Assistant Professor of Music Therapy; Coordinator for the Music Therapy Program
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
PhD
• Multiculturalism in Research
• Senior advisor for PhD Expressive Therapies program
MA
• Theories of Music Therapy
• Research and Evaluation for Thesis Students
• Thesis Advising
• Orientation to Expressive Therapies
• Values, Consciousness, & Contemplative Practice
• Clinical Improvisation in Music Therapy
Education: BA Music, Smith College, Northampton MA; MA Music Therapy, New York University, NYC NY; PhD Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley CO; Advanced Certification in Music Therapy (ACMT Credential)
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions:
Beer, L. E. (2011). A model for clinical decision-making in music therapy: Planning and implementing improvisational experiences. Music Therapy Perspectives 29(2), 117-125.
Beer, L. E., Hutchinson, S., & Skala, K. K. (2012). Communicating with patients who have advanced dementia: Training nurse aide students. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, scheduled for Fall 2012 release.
Beer, L. E. (2010). Contemplative administration: Transforming the workplace culture of higher education. Innovative Higher Education, 35(4), 217-231. New York, NY: Springer.
Dr. Laura Beer is a core faculty member of the Expressive Therapies Division at Lesley University, Music Therapy Masters Program Coordinator, and serves as a primary advisor for the PhD program. Laura has extensive clinical experience as a music therapist, having trained with Clive and Carol Robbins at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Center in NYC and worked in the field for over 24 years.
Dr. Beer also taught and coordinated the internship program in Naropa University’s dual degree music therapy and transpersonal counseling psychology program. During these 14 years she cultivated a teaching approach based upon mindfulness practices and developed an interest in contemplative administration. The work of Laura Rendon and Parker Palmer guide her teaching and advising, resulting in a style that is student-centered, flexible, and rigorous.
Dr. Beer’s research interests include the use of music in qualitative research practices, clinical improvisation with various client populations, working with LGBTQ clients, spirituality in therapy and education, innovative approaches to working with people who have advanced dementia, and the challenges international expressive therapies students face in bringing western style education back home.