About Music Therapy

"Music can heal. It can do more than that. It can throw a lifeline to those who can't be reached any other way."

- Paul McCartney

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (MTA*) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.

*Music Therapist Accredited

Canadian Association of Music Therapists
June 2016

Who can Benefit from Music Therapy?

Everyone!! Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly can benefit from Music Therapy in either a group or individual setting. A Music Therapist designs programs to meet the needs of the clients and to address specific goal areas.

Goal Areas Addressed by Music Therapy

Academic skills
Emotional well-being
Communication skills
Gross and fine motor skills
Social skills
Self-esteem and self confidence
Reminiscence

Benefits for Family/Caregivers

Music therapy interventions can teach family members/caregivers alternative ways to interact, socialize and communicate with their loved ones.

Why Music Therapy?

Music:

Is an inherently non-threatening and inviting medium – one to which people can easily relate
Can enable those with language difficulties to communicate, participate and express themselves non-verbally
Encourages appropriate social interaction with others
Is highly motivating though it can also have a calming and relaxing effect
Stimulates all of the senses therefore it can address several needs simultaneously

What Happens During a Music Therapy Session?

Singing improves communication, speech and language skills, articulation, breath control, and expressive and receptive language skills.

Instrument play increases gross and fine motor skills such as dexterity, coordination, range of motion, strength as well as social skills such as active participation and interaction, self-esteem, and cooperation.

Rhythmic Movements and Dancing facilitates mobility, agility, balance, respiration patterns, muscular relaxation, spatial relationships, and endurance.

Improvising provides a creative and nonverbal means to express feelings. Through vocal, instrumental, and/or movement improvisation, one has the opportunity to make choices within a non-threatening and structured environment.

Composing develops cooperation, learning, and sharing ideas and experiences, and increases social skills.

Active Listening activities provide a stimulating way to develop cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and auditory perception skills.