Episode 2: It's Only Singing! Self-talk, Playfulness and Overthinking with Psychologist, Dr Courtney Raspin

Happy Voice Conversations, with Heather Maîr Thomas

A Fresh Perspective! I’m Heather Maîr Thomas, I’m a holistic singing teacher and coach and I’m fascinated by people’s, often complex, relationships with our voices. The Happy Voice Podcast is a series of conversations with people from all walks of life based around our different experiences of singing. In this episode my friend and former singing student, psychologist, founder of Altum Health (and karaoke Diva) Dr Courtney Raspin explains the physical, mental and emotional health benefits of singing, and how curiosity, creativity and playfulness are important in being a "healthy adult." We ask “are there parallels between our relationship with our voice and our body image?” and discuss our fear of judgement, and how comparing our voice to others is rather like comparing the size of our bum with someone on Instagram….! Get Involved! Please subscribe and stay in the conversation! My next London course for adult beginners/anxious singers Relax and Sing starts in March. For details of my online singing groups (Virtual Voice Club) and one to one Singing lessons & courses, Follow Facebook & Instagram Live sessions and Zoom calls. Thanks to my wonderful guest, Dr Courtney Raspin Courtney is the founder of Altum Health. She is a Chartered Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Courtney is a member of the Counselling Psychology division of the BPS, as well as the Clinical Psychology division’s Faculty of Eating Disorders. She is a member and active supporter of the Eating Disorders Association (BEAT) and contributes to the press on matters relating to eating disorders, obesity and body image problems. In addition to her role at Altum, she lectures in the Counselling Psychology Doctoral Programme at City University. Courtney was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of a psychologist and physician, she grew up with a keen interest in both mental and physical health. . Courtney’s PhD work focused on families of women with eating disorders, and over the last 10 years, she has continued to develop her expertise in the area. She has run numerous groups for women struggling with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, & Binge Eating Disorders. While she is widely known for her work in eating disorders, Courtney also has experience working with more general mental health difficulties. She has worked in an NHS Psychological Assessment and Treatment Service, helping clients overcome anxiety, depression, and wide range of mental health issues. On a personal note, Courtney has been married for 19 years and is the mother of two children and very loved Cockapoo called Luna. Follow her on Instagram Happy Voice Podcast theme music: Traditional Cornish folk song "Sweet Nightingale" arranged and beautifully played by my immensely talented cousin, Rick Williams of Cornish musicians BagasDegol