Mr. Jim Borling

Director of Music Therapy
Professor Emeritus of Music Therapy


jborling@radford.edu

Jim Borling (M M, MT-BC, FAMI), professor of music emeritus, former director of music therapy at Radford University, Board Certified Music Therapist and a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery.

Jim received his bachelor of music degree in music education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. and his master of music degree in music therapy from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. His six-month internship in music therapy was done at the Georgia Mental Health Institute in Atlanta working with adolescent and adult chronic and acute psychiatric populations.

Prior to arriving at Radford University, Jim's full-time clinical experience included working with emotionally disturbed children and adolescents as well as persons with developmental disabilities. Since being at Radford University, Jim has held clinical positions with Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, Virginia, Lewis-Gale Chronic Pain Center in Roanoke, Virginia, The Center for Behavioral and Rehabilitative Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia and The Life Center of Galax Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Galax. Currently, Jim provides music therapy services for 'Avenues to Recovery', an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for both adults and adolescents recovering from addictions.

His professional involvement with the field of music therapy has included positions within the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) as well as extensive work with the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Along with his wife Nannette, Jim is co-founder of MusicVisions, LLC, where he maintains a clinical private practice in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. Through MusicVisions, Jim specializes in the use of Music Evoked Imagery (MEl) as an approach to depth work in the field of Music Therapy. MEI is based on the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) developed by music therapist Helen Bonny. Jim's work with GIM has taken him to Germany, Mexico, and Korea as a visiting professor and trainer in the method. He is quite active regionally, nationally and internationally giving workshops on a variety of topics including drumming, music and healing, as well as work specific to the field of addictions.

Jim’s publications include research in music and biofeedback, clinical applications of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), drumming as a therapeutic group experience, music therapy with addictions, and more. His writings can be found in The Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, The Journal for the Association for Music and Imagery, as well as book chapters in the field of music therapy.

Hear Professor Borling discuss his practices and the power of music on the NPR program "With Good Reason."

Education

Master of Music in Music Therapy, University of Miami, Fla.
Bachelor of Music Education in Music Education, DePauw University

Teaching Responsibilities

MUSC 102. Fundamentals of Music Therapy
MUSC 205. Music with the Disabled
MUSC 336. The Influence of Music on Behavior
MUSC 202, 302 and 402. Clinical Orientation to Music Therapy
MUSC 420. Methods and Materials in Music Therapy
MUSC 477. Music in Therapy
MUSC 493. Internship in Music Therapy
MUSC 641/642. Graduate Practicum in Music Therapy
MUSC 651. Special Applications in Music Therapy I