Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is defined by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) as:

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

Music Therapy is defined by Medicaid Waiver Services as:

Music Therapy services are services provided for the systematic application of music in the treatment of the physiological and psychosocial aspects of an individual’s disability and focusing on the acquisition of nonmusical skills and behaviors.

Who is Music Therapy for?

Music Therapy is for anyone and everyone! Music Therapy is appropriate for a variety of populations because of its ability to address so many needs. Some populations include, but are not limited to: developmental disabilities, mental health, physical rehabilitation, traumatic brain injuries, geriatrics, hospice care, emotional trauma, hospitalizations, and pain control. Music therapy can be utilized from the beginning of life to the end and every moment in between.

What can Music Therapy do?

According to the AMTA, music therapy interventions can be designed to: promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, & promote physical rehabilitation.

Through Medicaid Waiver, sessions can be conducted to:

• Improve: self-image and body awareness, fine & gross motor skills, and auditory perception

• Increase: communication skills, ability to use energy purposefully, interaction with peers and others, attending behavior, independence and self-direction

• Reduce maladaptive (stereotypic, compulsive, self-abusive, assaultive, disruptive, perseverative, or impulsive) behaviors

• Enhance emotional expression and adjustment

• Stimulate creativity and imagination

What type of music do you use?

Music Therapy services are individualized to each person, including the music used. Anything from: Frank Sinatra to Taylor Swift, Queen to Disney, the Backstreet Boys to Michael Jackson, or church hymns to heavy metal is fair game.

What do services look like?

Music Therapy sessions may be one-on-one or in a group setting. Sessions with Aspire Music Therapy, LLC generally range from 30 minutes in length to an hour and a half.

Every music therapy service has some similarities in structure. Services begin with an assessment period, varying in length depending on the population served. After an assessment is conducted by the music therapist, goals are identified and the treatment process begins.

Otherwise, services are completely individualized! Goals, music used, and approaches all depend on the client’s needs. Aspire Music Therapy, LLC strives to work with each client’s family, team, and other services to ensure there is a consistency in treatment.