Services

Music therapy services may be an alternative to or in addition to talk-based therapy. Music therapy involves the use of music and its elements—such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics—to help individuals achieve therapeutic goals. It's a non-verbal form of therapy where the therapist may use listening, creating, singing, or moving to music as a means of communication and expression. This approach can be especially effective for individuals who might struggle to articulate their feelings or find traditional verbal therapy challenging. 

Music therapy is ideal for those who are working on:

• Regulating mood 

• Managing stress and anxiety

• Identifying and describing emotions

• Tolerating and releasing difficult emotions

• Motivation to face challenges or make changes

• Communication skills and improving relationships

Musical experiences used, depending on the client's goals:

• Discussing music and making connections

• Music-assisted relaxation

• Writing songs to express feelings, tell a story, or record a message

• Playing musical instruments and/or singing

• Movement and/or visuals paired with music

Music therapy can support clients in the development, maintenance, or restoration of functional skills. Music therapists can address multiple areas within sessions and incorporate caregivers and family members into sessions. Music therapy intervention is ideal for children and adults who enjoy music and also have medical conditions of the brain, heart, muscles, or multiple systems. Those who have neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual disabilities, and disorders related to aging are also ideal candidates.

Goal areas may include:

• Gross Motor (increase steady gait, strength, stamina, or overall physical movement)

• Fine Motor (increase finger dexterity, grasp, crossing midline, range of motion, bilateral coordination)

• Sensory-Motor Regulation (increase awareness and regulation of tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, visual, and auditory input)

• Oral Motor (increase use of muscles in the face and mouth as well as awareness and regulation of breathing for speaking and eating)

• Functional Communication (increase expression of wants and needs, comprehension, decrease frustration, develop adaptive non-verbal communication)

• Mental Health (increase cognitive functioning and emotional regulation) 

Musical experiences used, depending on the client's individualized needs:

• Music to increase "here and now" orientation

• Playing musical instruments to encourage movement of hands and arms

• Movement to music to increase stamina, appetite, flexibility, and strength

• Singing to promote vocalization, breathing, and verbal communication

• Use of visuals paired with music to encourage communication and engagement

• Music to help regulate emotions

• Music-assisted relaxation

• Songs used as a memory aid for daily tasks

• Bonding with caregivers through music, dance, and other arts

Creative Arts for Mental Health Workshops are an excellent supplement to an organization’s health and wellness offerings to employees or clients. A creative arts provider comes to your place of business or separate meeting space to provide creative arts experiences to help increase self-awareness, stress management, motivation, group cohesion, effective communication, and creativity.

Workshops can include psychoeducation to gain knowledge and active participation to practice skills through a variety of music, movement, and visual arts experiences. Specific creative arts experiences will be individualized to your group based on a consultation with a representative from your organization. 

Please contact the provider for a consultation. 

Professional clinical supervision is provided to nationally board certified music therapists (MT-BCs) seeking support in their clinical work in private practice or school settings. Michelle believes in offering affordable supervision options for entry-level music therapists to increase competency and satisfaction early in their careers. 

• Supervision services are provided through video meetings or phone calls.

• Supervisees will receive an intake questionnaire to identify the MT-BC's individual strengths, interests, and areas of need.

• Sessions are designed to meet the individualized needs of the music therapist within the Domains of Clinical Practice as outlined by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). 

• Specialized topics include:

  • • Creating Referral, Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Documentation in school settings and private practice

    • Verbal Skills for Music Therapists

    • Dynamics and Processes of Therapeutic Relationships - including working with transference and countertransference

    • Designing Creative Music-Based Interventions to meet client goals

• Supervisees who desire to receive CMTE credits from the CBMT will:

  • • Create a Mentored Self-Study CMTE Program Plan per the instructions from the CBMT

    • Receive collaboration and feedback from the supervisor to complete the required forms for the CMTE credits

    • Receive a written evaluation and required signatures

    • Acknowledge that the Supervisor will also be able to submit for CMTE credits as the Mentor in the Mentored Self-Study

    • Pay only for the direct contact time in conversation with the Supervisor and receive documentation support at no additional cost