Music Therapy
What is music therapy?
Music Therapy is a specialized therapy that offers another way to connect with an individual. Music is powerful as it can access emotion, memory, and activates different parts of the brain. Most people have a relationship with music. Due to these special qualities in music, therapists can use this medium to explore a person's emotion, memories, and meaning in their lives. The experience of music is an engaging and sensory experience that is often memorable and impactful for people.
Who is music therapy for?
Sometimes words are limiting and music offers a world of possibility to connect on a deeper level. Anyone can participate and benefit from music therapy and no previous music training is needed. Music therapy is different than learning music where you master technique. The purpose of music therapy is to express yourself. Some specific populations who can benefit from music therapy include individuals with general mental health issues, autism, developmental delay, disability, and dementia. Artists and musicians are also welcome to explore this medium. The experience is often novel as the intention behind this therapy is for exploration and the experience of music rather than focusing on technique and outcome.
Benefits
Music therapy provides a number of benefits depending on the purpose of the therapy. For someone coming in with general mental health concerns, music therapy can cultivate self-expression, personal growth and insight, and uncover needs. For a person with autism or ADHD, music therapy can help develop social, communication, and emotion regulation skills. For a person with developmental delay or dementia, music therapy can support and stimulate cognitive function.
What happens in music therapy?
There are many different ways to experience music therapy. Depending on the purpose of the therapy, someone coming in for general mental health concerns may be interested in trying guided imagery and music where they engage in a guided relaxation and listen to programmed music or a meaningful song. They may later discuss their experience and then draw to integrate their insights from the session. Another person with autism or ADHD may engage in improvised playing on percussion instruments and the piano and later listen to music and decompress towards the end of the session. Someone with dementia may engage in singing and reminisce over meaningful songs. These are just examples. The music therapy interventions and techniques will be catered to your specific needs and interests.
Services offered
Individuals, couples, and families.
Some specific populations:
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General mental health
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Children and teens with autism, ADHD, and developmental delay
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Seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease
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Artists and musicians