Deborah L. Layman, Ph.D., LPMT, MT-BC is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music Therapy at Cleveland State University, where she also serves as AMTA Music Therapy Program Director and Coordinator of Graduate Music Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Kent State University and a Master of Music in Music Therapy from The Florida State University. Dr. Layman is a Licensed Professional Music Therapist in Ohio and a board-certified music therapist.

Dr. Layman’s research focuses on reflective practice and professional development in music therapy education, practitioner-informed research, and the use of music in health and wellness contexts. Her scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications and presentations addressing reflective capacity in clinical training, music therapy supervision, and music-based interventions in healthcare settings. She has served as principal investigator on multiple internal and external grants supporting faculty scholarship and undergraduate research.

In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Layman is actively engaged in professional service. She serves as an Associate Editor for Music Therapy Perspectives and as an invited reviewer for the Journal of Music Therapy and the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy. She frequently presents on music therapy education, supervision, and interprofessional collaboration at regional, national, and interdisciplinary conferences.

Outside of CSU, Dr. Layman loves traveling to beach destinations, spending time with close family and friends, practicing yin and restorative yoga, reading good books, eating good food, drinking good coffee, and enjoying dark chocolate.