Music Therapy
“Music is the essence of humanness”
— E Thayor Gaston
Music therapy is an established clinical health service in which music is used to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of individuals.
After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, a certified music therapist provides the indicated treatment, which can include creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music is an effective therapeutic medium because of its prevalence and use in society and daily life, it serves some function in all cultures, making it a universal phenomenon. Music influences physical responses and provides aesthetic enjoyment. It is a vehicle for expressing and communicating ideas and emotions, bringing people together while also providing a personal experience for individuals
One does not have to be a musician or have any musical experience in order to participate in and benefit from music therapy!
Education of a Music Therapist
Music therapists enter into professional practice at the bachelor, master, or doctoral level and have been trained in physiological, psychological, and behavioral health sciences, music, and the therapeutic application of music. Students must complete at least 1200 hours of clinical training through supervised practicum and an internship. Graduates are then eligible to sit for the national board examination and receive the credential of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). Board-Certified music therapists maintain the credential of MT-BC through continuing education. In New York State (NYS), music therapists can complete the requirements to obtain a License in Creative Arts Therapy (LCAT). This is a mental health practitioner credential according to NYS Education Law, Article 163. In order to obtain the LCAT credential, music therapists must have a graduate degree in Music Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy with a concentration in music therapy and need to receive an additional 1500 supervised clinical hours post-graduation.
Below is a list of populations and communities I specialize in. Please contact me if your situation is not included below, and we can talk about whether music therapy with me would be a good fit!
Communities Served
Medical Care and Rehabilitation
Music therapy can assist those with medical issues such as cancer, chronic illness, chronic pain, autoimmune disease, terminal illness, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injuries. Some benefits of music therapy include: pain management, assistance with coping, increasing relaxation, promoting self expression, decreasing isolation, and providing opportunities to process emotions surrounding the disease process. Through music intervention, individuals may also regain speech, motor and/or cognitive function.
Emotional and Mental Health
Music therapy can assist those working through emotional and mental health challenges such as anxiety, stress management, caregiver issues, emotional regulation, eating disorders, burnout, gender dysphoria, depression, relationship issues, loss and grief, and history of trauma. Music therapy can provide individuals a space to explore their feelings, and develop coping skills. Music therapy can be a great addition to other mental health services, such as counseling, an individual may already be involved in.
End-of-Life Care
Music therapy can provide comfort, reduce pain and anxiety, and inspire life reviews at the end of a person’s life. Music therapy can also offer support for legacy work. This can be through writing a text put to meaningful music, recording the person singing a significant song, or creating an original song. The individual may choose to share their work with loved ones.
Older Adults and Memory Care
Music therapy can assist in reminiscence, orientation, mood enhancement, comfort, decreasing isolation and improved quality of life. Music therapy interventions are individualized based on the music that was important throughout the individual’s life.
Music Psychotherapy
Creative arts therapy is a type of therapy practiced by licensed mental health professionals that use the creative arts to inform their therapy practices in order to help their clients achieve a wide range of goals.
In music psychotherapy, traditional talk therapy is combined with music-making, singing, songwriting, and listening. The music-making is as frequent as the client desires and is most helpful to an individual who might be a candidate for verbal psychotherapy but would also benefit from the addition of music.
Common areas addressed in music psychotherapy sessions:
Mood regulation/dysregulation
Self-expression
Relaxation
Developing positive coping strategies
Self-esteem
Socialization
Independence and decision making skills
Self exploration
Grief/loss