Corey Olver, PhD, MT-BC, LPC, ACS

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Corey Olver has served as music therapy program director since 2018 and has been faculty in the music department since 2015. Dr Olver’s professional identity and practice in rooted in dual music therapy and mental health counseling. Her education is informed by this passion; Dr Olver earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music therapy from Immaculata University. Corey then earned her PhD from the University of the Cumberlands in Counselor Education and Supervision, where she completed her dissertation using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to study Life Balance for Counselors in Training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a belief that the best classroom instruction is informed by an active clinical practice, Corey balances her teaching at Immaculata with directing the Adjunctive Therapy department at Northbrook Behavioral Health Hospital in Blackwood, NJ. There, she leads and supervises a large team of creative arts therapists (including several music therapists), mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, and more. Her multi-faceted career has been devoted to helping mental health clients in a variety of venues and modules including counseling, music therapy, healthcare administration, and clinical supervision. Corey is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and has provided multidisciplinary training and supervision in MI for clinicians in the US and Canada. She also has advanced training in trauma-informed care and mindfulness, and regularly integrates these principles into her teaching and learning philosophy. Corey has presented at conferences and organizations on advanced counseling skills, creative arts therapy leadership, burnout and self-care, mindfulness, and meditative labyrinth walking. Outside of work, Corey enjoys spending time outdoors and volunteering with her trained therapy dog Sadie.

Courses Taught

• MUT 643: Integration of Verbal Counseling and Music Therapy Skills
• MUT 617: Mindfulness and Self-Care
• MUT 500: Theoretical Orientation to Music Therapy Clinical Practice
• MUT 506: Theories and Practices in Psychiatric Music Therapy

Research Interests

Mindfulness, Wellness, Self-Care, Life Balance, Self-Efficacy

Publications and Presentations

Olver, C. (2023). A phenomenological investigation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life balance of counselors-in-training [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of the Cumberlands.

Olver, C. (2021). The role of mindfulness for clinician burnout during Covid-19: Mini review. World Journal of Yoga, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 3(1). doi: 10.33552/WJYPR.2021.03.000552

Olver, C. (2023). Trauma Informed Care: Basic Principals for Inpatient Mental Health. Presented at Northbrook Behavioral health Hospital, Blackwood, NJ.

Olver, C. (2022). Caring for the Caregiver. Presented at Chester County Intermediate Unit, Downingtown, PA

Olver, C., & Comins, J. (2021). Finding wellness: Addressing clinician burnout through mindfulness and life balance. Collaborative continuing education for music therapist. Accepted at the AMATA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference.

Olver, C. (2019). Labyrinth Walking in Music Therapy: Clinical and Professional Self-Care Applications for Burnout and Compassion Fatigue. Accepted at the AMTA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference:

Olver, C. (2018). Counseling Skills Integration in Music Therapy Clinical Practice. Accepted at the AMTA National Conference: Dallas, TX

Olver, C. (2018). Leadership and Administration Best Practices in Creative Arts Therapy. Accepted at the AMTA National Conference: Dallas, TX

Olver, C. (2016): Counseling Skills for Music Therapists. Accepted at the AMATA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Harrisburg, PA.

Olver, C. (2012). Walking the Labyrinth: A Therapeutic Journey. Presented at the Therapeutic Recreation institute Regional Conference: Gettysburg, PA.