New Approaches to Overcoming Performance Anxiety and Building Resilience
Thursday 23rd November 2023, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
'Chairwork' represents a collection of experiential methods that use drama, movement and dialogue to bring about change. Central to Chairwork is the transformational power of action and the benefits of working with different ‘parts’ of self, including problematic subselves (e.g. critical or demanding parts) and vulnerable subselves (e.g. fearful or self-conscious parts).
Chairwork has been used within psychotherapy for over a century and has recently been incorporated into a growing number of coaching approaches. Research also supports the use of Chairwork: individuals who participate in these methods often describe them as deeply memorable, emotional and effective.
This experiential workshop will introduce you to the basic ideas or ‘pillars’ underlying Chairwork. Using a combination of didactic teaching, interactive exercises, practical examples and live demonstrations, we will demonstrate how Chairwork can be used to overcome different aspects of performance anxiety, including self-criticism and fear of negative evaluation. We will also explore how Chairwork can help students develop and nurture their own compassionate inner coach.
By the end of the workshop, you will feel confident experimenting with Chairwork in your practice and adapting it to different contexts, including ‘online’ settings.
Matthew Pugh
Matthew Pugh is a clinical psychologist, researcher, international trainer and Chairwork practitioner. He has worked in mental health settings for over 15 years...
Tobyn Bell
Tobyn Bell is a psychotherapist, researcher, lecturer and Chairwork practitioner. He has worked within mental health settings for over 15 years, including NHS and private organisations.

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

Tuesday 22nd April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 24th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday 25th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday 28th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 29th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate In Applied Neuroscience And Voice with Voice Scientist Heidi Moss
This six-day course is designed to provide an introduction to the neuroscience of vocalization. It aims to provide a foundation for those who are looking to fuse science with art and understand that the voice is so much more than an instrument.


Thursday 24th April 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 25th April 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Singing and the Brain: A Harmonious Connection

Dr Patricia Izbicki
Unlock the transformative power of music with our two-part lecture series that delves deep into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, music education, and music therapy. This course aims to achieve three distinct objectives: to demonstrate the multifaceted benefits of music training and therapy, to equip you with a neuroscience-informed perspective for teaching, practice, and research, and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science of singing across all stages of life. Join Dr Patricia Izbicki on this captivating journey and unlock the secrets of music's impact on the brain and human development!

Monday 28th April 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 29th April 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday 30th April 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Thursday 1st May 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
Mental Health and Musicians Certificate with Dr George Musgrave
Join Dr George Musgrave – co-author of Can Music Make You Sick? Measuring the Price of Musical Ambition (2020) – for a deep dive into the social and psychological experiences of musical career creation and development, as well as the effects of the music industry and its practices on mental health. Dr Musgrave will present an overview of current research on career musicianship and mental health before exploring an array of specific themes, including success (and the management thereof); career sustainability; and cultural, social and symbolic capital. A comprehensive look at the ethics and morality of the industry provides the finale to this course!