This past Saturday I presented about music therapy to the folks at Glass Mountain in Irvine, CA. Ten people were in attendance and I spoke about the field of music therapy, my story of why I became a music therapist, and then we ended with a drum circle. The participants were just lovely, smart, kind, caring, and very inquisitive. Here’s a rough outline of my presentation.
What is music therapy?
- Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals.
- Music therapy uses the client’s strengths to make positive change in behavior, socialization skills, cognitive skills, and overall well-being.
Types of Populations
- Music therapists can be found working in hospital settings (think ICU, NICU, Oncology), rehabilitation settings (think Drug & Alcohol, Stroke, car accidents, etc.), in schools and clinics (Special Ed, paired with OT, ST, ABA, etc.), nursing homes, and hospice care…to name a few.
Why Music?
- Music provides order and predictability
- Music therapy takes into account three aspects:
- Natural Structure of Music (Rhythm = Organizer and Energizer!)
- Ordering of session interventions (Therapist must create familiarity and predictability)
- Client-Therapist Relationship (Trust, consistent positive reinforcement and encouragement)
Types of Music Interventions
- Interactive music making, song writing, lyric analysis, music assisted relaxation, guided imagery…to name a few.
About Play Your Part, Inc.
- You can read about my background here.
- Populations PYP serves: Music Therapy (children/adolescents on the Autism spectrum), Music Lessons and Adapted Lessons (guitar and piano), Social Groups, Music and Me, and Contract Services.
Interactive Drum Circle
- Simple groove
- Call and Response
- Volume 1-8
- Introduced Melodic Instruments
- Closing Chant “I Have Come This Far” by The Daughters of Harriet
If you or someone you know is interested in a presentation about the efficacy of music therapy, please comment or contact brianna@playyourpartmusic.com.