What is Music Therapy?
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.
– The American Music Therapy Association
Music Therapy Can Help To
- Increase sensory-motor skills
- Increase cognitive skills
- Improve social skills
- Increase impulse control
- Improve self-esteem and self-control
- Improve expressive-receptive language skills
- Increase problem-solving skills
- Improve auditory and visual-motor skills
- Increase ability to identify and communicate feelings appropriately
FAQ
Full of joy– lots of movement, music-making, and pure fun! Music therapy sessions are custom-designed for each client and each family. Kim strives to meet the needs based on the treatment plan we establish at the beginning of your music therapy journey.
Kim’s a nurse, Music Therapist, Play Therapist, and Family Therapist. With 15 years of experience in rehabilitation medicine, she spent many years studying the brain and integrating music therapy, creative arts therapy, and play into a counseling relationship. Her primary interest is the brain: how does change happen by accessing the brain? How do we access body, mind, and spirit to effect change? Learn more about Kim
Parent-partners are an important part of making the music therapy process successful. As a part of the treatment process, there’s homework: practicing new ways of thinking, moving, and being are at the heart of making lasting change. You and Kim will work together as a team to create amazing changes to increase the quality of life for your child or family member.
Kim collaborates with other medical professionals if needed. She particularly likes working with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists. She will make referrals to neuropsychologists, behavior therapists, physicians, and other professionals if needed.
Insurance pays Kim as a behavioral health professional who happens to have a background in play therapy and music therapy. In general, music therapy is not reimbursable through insurance.
After you fill out the intake form, you will meet with Kim to decide if music therapy is right fit for your family.
Fill out this intake form completely with all your insurance information then text Kim at (509) 979-4357. She will then set up an appointment with you.
Kim works with adults and children with developmental/physical/intellectual disabilities. She also works with adults and children with medical issues.
Yes. Please fill out the intake form. Kim would be happy to work with you.”