What is Music Therapy?
“Rhythm turns listeners into participants, makes listening active and motoric, and synchronizes the brains and minds (and since emotion is always intertwined with music, the “hearts”) of all who participate. Therefore, rhythm binds people together, builds community, and cements human connection on a neurophysiological level.”
-Sacks & Landless-
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 an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.
After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including 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. (AMTA)
Music is a non-invasive therapy medium that is both success-oriented and motivating. The Process of making music is interactive, supportive, and playful.
This "lubricates the process of change".
-Waters-
Why Music Therapy?
Music Therapy services can address goals including (but not limited to):
-
Increase appropriate social skills (sharing, turn taking, following directions)
-
Provides an outlet for self-expression (non-verbal/verbal) and creativity
-
Improve attention to task and increase positive behavior
-
Improve independence and leadership skills
-
Improve mood and regulate emotional states
-
Improve fine and gross motor skills
-
Develop appropriate recreational/ leisure skills
-
Improve problem solving skills
-
Develop individualized coping skills for everyday stressors
-
Improve self-esteem and quality of life
-
Improve pre-literacy and academic skills
-
Improve impulse control
-
Improve effective communication
-
Group Cohesion
-
Ability to recall information
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
The Expressive Journeys Creative Arts Clinic Location is 10 New Karner Road, Guilderland, NY 12084.
We also provide services within many School districts, group homes and BOCES Programs, throughout the Capital Region.
Must we come to the Expressive Journeys Creative Arts Clinic for sessions?
The Expressive Journeys Creative Arts Clinic Location is our main location for our Individual Client sessions. Home visits are approved on a case by case basis, and have additional costs involved. Virtual Sessions are also available. For more information please fill out our contact form.
What is the best way to contact you?
What services do you provide?
Music Therapy, Music Classes, Music Lessons, Adaptive Lessons (Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele), Enrichment Art Classes, Paint Nights, Birthday Parties and more.
What is the cost?
Expressive Journeys LLC charges a standard rate for individual music, and has varying fees for groups, workshops, classes and other services at the Expressive Journeys Creative Arts Clinic. For more information on what your costs would be, please fill out a contact form and we would be glad to explain them to you.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Private Pay (cash/check), Direct Bill to Self-Direction Service Agencies, or Grant Funding are all accepted.
We do not accept credit cards or insurance.
Why does Music Therapy work?
Music therapy works because when people actively engage in music making, the whole brain is stimulated creating new neural pathways to re-learn old skills and learn new skills.
What is a usual Music Therapy Session Like?
This really depends on the client. Music therapists work with a wide variety of people with a varying range of needs, strengths, abilities, and goal areas. Goal areas include communication, management, physical, social, emotional, academic and cognitive. Through our Intake packet and initial consult, we work together to determine what goals and objectives will be addressed in sessions. Every session is tailored to each individual client. Music therapists treat many populations so sessions can vary widely. Activities in a music therapy session can include but are not limited to: drumming, movement to music exercises targeting specific motor function goals, lyric analysis and exploration, songwriting, improvising on a variety of instruments, or even learning how to play an instrument such as guitar or piano.
Do you have to be Musical to benefit from Music Therapy?
No. You do not need to be musical to benefit from music therapy.
Who does music therapy benefit?
Music therapy can help all individuals from birth to end of life with a variety of needs.
What do Music Therapist do?
Music therapists use Music as a tool to work on goals, by engaging clients in active music making, song writing and moving to music to address daily living, academic skills and quality of life.
What type of goals do you address?
Music therapists use a wide variety of music-based activities to achieve a wide range of goals and objectives based on each individual's needs. Goal areas include things such as improving communication skills (expressive and receptive), improving motor function and coordination (both fine and gross motor skills), developing and improving social skills, modifying behavior and addressing emotional needs and self-expression.
Music & the Brain
"The neural network for music processing is highly specialized and widely distributed."
-Hodges, Levitin, & Sacks
Active Engagement in music can bridge the gaps:
-
Right and left hemisphere in the brain
-
Primitive and complex areas of the brain
-
People Languages/non-languages
-
Fear and Safety
-
Hyper/Hypo-arousal and homeostasis
-Landless
