Music Therapy

The mission of Music Therapy Services is to create lasting change in the lives of people of all abilities through music.

We believe that music is an important and meaningful necessity in our lives. We know that music, being common to all cultures, enables people to feel a sense of belonging, have identity and creatively express themselves. Music therapists use music and clinical interventions in process-centred ways to garner outcomes that help clients improve, maintain, and restore a state of optimal well-being. Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical and creative practice, grounded in a clinical skill set of assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation. We believe that musical experiences are integral to sound health.

Oliver Sacks, the well-known neurologist and celebrated author of Musicophilia, stated that “music is as powerful as any medicine”. We bear witness to this statement every day in our clinical practice and in research. The lyrics to a song can elicit past memories of people and experiences we haven’t thought about for years. Music can give voice to our abilities to express ourselves musically, physically, emotionally and socially. Rhythm resonates our physical bodies in expressive ways ranging from relaxation to dance. Sounds communicate without words.

Through a variety of approaches in health care, community and educational settings, music therapy helps improve communication skills for children with autism, facilitates social bonding for those living in impoverished communities, supports speech acquisition for children with language delays, and increases playful creativity for all ages. Certified music therapists support clients in exploring personal growth and deepening spirituality at the end of life.

Certified music therapists singing songs with those with dementia help them to tap into memories of long ago, bringing a sense of joy and connection rarely experienced in day to day living. We believe in the power that music has to transform, transcend and heal. We believe in people’s power to change their lives. We believe in music therapy.

When relaxing through soothing sound and vibration, your body is affected on a cellular level, opening energy flow to move you back toward healthy alignment. Stress creates an unhealthy flow of energy, first appearing as low energy in your aura, and, later, as ill health, mentally and physically.

Placing the therapeutic singing bowls directly on the body and creating a therapeutic sound wave vibration allows a practitioner to engage with the client physically and energetically. The practitioner generates a vibration on the singing bowls, which creates physical vibration throughout your body. As the bowls focus on the physical connection, the practitioner focuses on spiritual and energetic connections.

Affect our ability to find purpose in our lives and navigate the world safely. Our goal is to address the personal and systemic trauma through the creative use of musical experiences and promote mental, emotional, and personal wellness.

We also aim to be a community resource for music and community health by both offering trainings and information sessions to teach you more about how to use music as a tool for healing and helping you plan and implement community music programming to develop stronger bonds and work toward greater mental and emotional wellness

2023-03-29

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a form of treatment that uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. It is a clinical and evidence-based approach that involves a qualified music therapist who uses music interventions to achieve specific therapeutic goals.

Types of Music Therapy:

Active Music Therapy: involves the active participation of the individual in playing or singing music as a means of expression and communication.
Receptive Music Therapy: involves listening to music selected by the therapist as a means of relaxation, imagery, and emotional expression.
Improvisational Music Therapy: involves spontaneous music creation and improvisation to promote emotional expression and communication.
Interactive Music Therapy: involves the therapist and individual playing and creating music together as a means of communication and connection.

Benefits of Music Therapy:

Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Improve mood and emotional regulation.
Enhance communication and social skills.
Increase self-awareness and self-esteem.
Improve cognitive function and memory.
Aid in physical rehabilitation and pain management.
Promote relaxation and better sleep.
Provide a creative outlet for expression and personal growth.
Enhance overall quality of life.

The Goals and Objectives of Music Therapy?

The goals and objectives of music therapy vary depending on the individual's needs and the specific approach used by the music therapist. However, some common goals and objectives of music therapy include:

Improve emotional regulation: Music therapy can help individuals to identify and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. By doing so, it can help to regulate emotions and promote emotional well-being.
Enhance communication skills: Music therapy can be particularly effective for individuals who struggle with communication. By playing and creating music together, individuals can improve their communication skills and build social connections.
Improve physical function: Music therapy can be used to aid in physical rehabilitation and improve overall physical function. It can help to reduce pain levels and improve motor skills.
Increase self-awareness and self-esteem: Music therapy can help individuals to gain a better understanding of themselves and their emotions, which can increase self-awareness and self-esteem.
Improve cognitive function: Music therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive function and memory. It can improve focus, attention, and memory recall.
Promote relaxation: Music therapy can be a useful tool for promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. It can help individuals to unwind and find peace in a busy world.
Build social skills: Music therapy can be a powerful tool for building social skills and improving communication. By playing and creating music together, individuals can learn to work as a team and build social connections.
Increase overall quality of life: Music therapy can have a profound impact on an individual's overall quality of life. By promoting emotional well-being, physical health, and social functioning, music therapy can help individuals to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.

In summary, music therapy is a versatile and effective form of treatment that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Whether the goal is to improve emotional regulation, enhance communication skills, or promote physical rehabilitation, music therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their emotions, build social connections, and improve their overall quality of life.

What Effects Can Music Therapy Have on a Client?

Music therapy can have a range of effects on clients, depending on their individual needs and goals. Here are some of the possible effects that music therapy can have on a client:

Emotional expression and regulation: Music can evoke strong emotions, and music therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for clients to express and regulate their emotions. This can help them to better understand and cope with their feelings.
Reduced anxiety and stress: Music therapy can be used to promote relaxation, which can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels. This can be especially helpful for clients who struggle with anxiety disorders or chronic stress.
Improved communication and social skills: Music therapy can help clients to improve their communication and social skills, as they work together with the therapist and other clients to create and play music. This can be especially helpful for clients with autism spectrum disorders or other social communication challenges.
Increased self-esteem and confidence: Music therapy can help clients to build their self-esteem and confidence, as they gain new musical skills and explore their creativity. This can be especially helpful for clients with low self-esteem or a history of trauma.
Improved physical functioning: Music therapy can be used to promote physical rehabilitation, as clients work on playing musical instruments or engaging in rhythmic movement. This can be especially helpful for clients recovering from injuries or illnesses.
Increased motivation and engagement: Music therapy can be highly motivating and engaging for clients, as they work towards musical goals and experience the joy of creating and playing music. This can be especially helpful for clients who are struggling with motivation or engagement in other areas of their lives.
Improved cognitive function: Music therapy has been shown to improve cognitive function in areas such as memory, attention, and executive functioning. This can be especially helpful for clients with neurological conditions or cognitive impairments.

Overall, music therapy can have a powerful and positive impact on clients, helping them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. By harnessing the power of music, music therapists can help clients to connect with their emotions, build social connections, and tap into their creativity and potential.

What Can Music Therapy be Used For?

Music therapy can be used to address a wide range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Here are some examples of what music therapy can be used for:

Mental health conditions: Music therapy can be used to support individuals with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. Music can help to regulate emotions, promote relaxation, and improve mood.
Autism spectrum disorders: Music therapy can be an effective tool for supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as it can help to improve social communication skills, reduce anxiety, and promote self-expression.
Neurological conditions: Music therapy can be used to support individuals with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Music can help to improve motor function, cognitive function, and emotional well-being.
Pain management: Music therapy can be used as a complementary therapy for individuals with chronic pain. Music can help to reduce pain perception, promote relaxation, and improve mood.
Developmental disabilities: Music therapy can be used to support individuals with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. Music can help to improve motor skills, communication skills, and social skills.
Substance abuse disorders: Music therapy can be used to support individuals with substance abuse disorders, as it can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and provide a healthy coping mechanism.
End-of-life care: Music therapy can be used to support individuals who are nearing the end of their life. Music can help to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and pain, and provide comfort and support.

Overall, music therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing a wide range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. By harnessing the power of music, music therapists can help individuals to achieve their goals, improve their quality of life, and find joy and meaning in their lives.

Interesting Facts and Statistics?

Here are some interesting facts and statistics about music therapy:

The use of music as a healing tool dates back to ancient times, with evidence of music being used in healing practices found in the cultures of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese.
The modern practice of music therapy began to develop in the 20th century, with the first music therapy degree program established in the United States in 1944.
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) was founded in 1998 to promote the use of music therapy as a viable and effective treatment modality.
Music therapy is recognized as an evidence-based practice by organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Music therapy can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and community centers.
There are various types of music therapy techniques, including music listening, improvisation, songwriting, and performance.
Music therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, neurological conditions, and chronic pain.
Music therapy can be provided by board-certified music therapists, who have completed a rigorous education and training program and adhere to a code of ethics and standards of practice.
According to the AMTA, there are currently over 7,000 board-certified music therapists practicing in the United States.
Music therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits, including improved emotional expression and regulation, reduced anxiety and stress, improved communication and social skills, increased self-esteem and confidence, improved physical functioning, increased motivation and engagement, and improved cognitive function.

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Music Therapy

Music Therapy

The Goals and Objectives of Music Therapy?

What Effects Can Music Therapy Have on a Client?

What Can Music Therapy be Used For? ​​​​​​​

Music therapy can be used to address a wide range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Here are some examples of what music therapy can be used for: ​​​​​​​

Interesting Facts and Statistics?

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What Can Music Therapy be Used For?

Music therapy can be used to address a wide range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Here are some examples of what music therapy can be used for: