What is Music Therapy?
"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.
Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings." (musictherapy.org)
Music is a therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient.
~ Yehudi Menuhin
Music has been used as "therapy" for a long time, helping people to cope with pain, manage stress and improve memory.
"Music therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort -- between demoralization and dignity." - Barbara Crowe (Past President of National Association for Music Therapy)
Music Therapy interventions can address a variety of Health & Educational Goals:
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Promote Wellness Express Feelings
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Manage Stress Enhance Memory
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Alleviate Pain Improve Communication
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Promote Physical Rehabilitation
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Cognitive Skills
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Sensory Skills
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Motor and Physical Skills
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Communication Skills
Cognitive goals addressed in music therapy: building pre-academic/academic skills, increasing attention, enhancing memory, and increasing following directions. To achieve improved cognitive skills, we use a variety of techniques including: Instrument play, songwriting, drumming, song listening, and song analysis.
Motor/physical goals are addressed Instrument playing, movement interventions, and dancing. This helps improve fine motor skills, strength, endurance, gross motor skills, balance and posture.
Communication goals are addressed using interventions such as: instrument play, singing, communication during sessions, and breathing exercises. This helps improve articulation, breath control and support, nonverbal communication, and other language development.
Most common question we receive: Do I have to know how to play an instrument, sing, and/or read music before beginning music therapy? The answer is NO! You don't even have to learn any of those things while doing music therapy. Music Therapists use music to help you accomplish your goals. That may include learning an instrument but it usually doesn't. There are so many other things you can do with music!
Music therapy is much more complicated than playing records in nursing homes. Therapists are trained in psychology, group interaction, and the special needs of the elderly. ~ Sen. Harry Reid
What does Music Therapy look like?
This is a song we sing to help get the wiggles out!
What to Expect
Boise Music Therapy Company offers music therapy services and piano/guitar lessons to people of all ages and abilities, parent coaching, and Music Together classes.
Not only do we take private pay clients, but we also work with state approved clients.
Our first step is to schedule a consultation with us so that we can identify the needs and goals of the client. We will conduct an assessment, complete the necessary paperwork that the state requires (if applicable) and schedule appointments to get started.
What progress looks like...
Client Wins!
An 8-year-old client came to me crying because all of his classmates had a best friend, except him. We created a plan to help him develop the emotional intelligence and social skills needed to be confident in finding friends. We did this using music therapy interventions. For example, we would focus on one emotion, happy, and ask him to play music that sounded happy. It took lots of work to help him gain confidence, but with lots of encouragement, he learned how to read emotions in other people and gain needed social skills. The best day was when he came to therapy and excitedly shared that he had made a friend in his class. I cried that day.
Client Wins!
A client with a traumatic brain injury could not process spoken questions. When the questions were sang to him he could process and answer them. I worked with a speech therapist and the client to help him learn to answer spoken questions. First we used picture cards and music to help him and then slowly backed off the music and cards until he could answer questions that were spoken to him.
Aspen Valley
Senior Living
"Our favorite music therapist, Gabby, from Boise Music Therapy Company was able to return to Aspen Lane and sing with our residents! It’s been over a year since we’ve been able to have her in the community and we are so grateful to have her back! Lots of singing, smiling, and dancing happening today at Aspen Valley!" - May 17, 2021
Samantha is a warm, enthusiastic instructor. I’ve participated in her drum circles where I enjoyed the freedom to express through music without judgment and to try a variety of instruments. It’s fascinating to experience the power and energy in each group and notice how each experience is unique. I recommend you give her a try and see what Boise Music Therapy can do for you and your family.
BOISE MUSIC THERAPY COMPANY
Boise Music Therapy Company's mission is to strengthen, guide, and empower parents, children, and adults to develop emotional awareness, improve social skills, and gain effective coping skills resulting in improved peer relationships, increased family harmony, and a calmer & more relaxed demeanor.
Music
Therapy
Behavior Intervention
Kids in Rhythm Preschool
Parenting with Confidence
