What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the use of music by a board-certified music therapist to help clients work on non-musical goals within a therapeutic relationship.  Our team specializes in the following areas:

• Strengthening developmental and social skills for children and adults with disabilities
• Supporting mental health and improving quality of life for older adults and their families, including memory care and hospice
• Providing mental health supports for children and adults with anxiety, ADHD, or struggling with emotion regulation
• Providing music and creative arts wellness programs for the general public (all ages!) that focuses on building community and improving overall wellbeing (think preventative mental health care-something we all need!)
• Providing professional development for educators, therapists, and helping professionals wanting to learn arts-based strategies to support their work with students and patients

Individual and group music therapy services are available.  We will work with you, your caregivers, teachers, and/or treatment team to determine how music therapy may be most effective in helping you meet your goals.

Music and music interventions are chosen based on the interests and unique needs of each individual client we serve. 

What are the qualifications of a Music Therapist?

In addition to being strong musicians, music therapists need to have a deep understanding of development, counseling techniques, psychology, disabilities and medical diagnosis.  They receive a minimum of a bachelor's degree in music therapy, complete a 1200-hour clinical internship, and sit for the board-certification exam.  Continuing education is also required to maintain their board-certification.

What is Creative Arts Wellness?

Creative Arts Wellness is simply using music and other creative arts modalities to improve your overall well-being.  Our Creative Arts Wellness programs are focused on supporting the social, emotional, and mental health of people of all ages and stages of life.  These are non-clinical programs that EVERYONE can benefit from! 

Using our skills and knowledge as music therapists, we have developed therapeutic enrichment programs, workshops, and professional development offerings that provide people with opportunities to experience the therapeutic benefits of making music, active music listening, and participating in other creative arts modalities.  You may connect with others through shared music making, listening, arts experiences and group discussions.  You will also walk away with strategies to manage daily stressors and improve your overall wellbeing.  

Programs are age-specific and often catered to a particular community of people, so that we can connect through shared experiences and present information and arts activities in an engaging way that meets the needs of the group in front of us.  

Some examples of our creative arts wellness programs: music programs for toddlers and parents, professional development for educators, teen music and wellness, music and wellness for older adults, etc.

What if I'm not talented enough?  There is no way I am singing in front of people!

We know that making music and accessing one’s creativity can be intimidating.  Luckily, there is no previous experience or special talent needed to participate and benefit from any of our services! All activities and resources shared in these programs are thoughtfully chosen and presented in a way that allows everyone to successfully and comfortably participate (you will NOT be asked to get up and sing in front of the group!).  While we ask you to be open to all the creative arts experiences we present, you will never be asked to do anything you are uncomfortable with.  Depending on the group, activities range from active music making to listening, discussing, writing, painting, etc.