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 fine motor/gross motor functioning, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.

A Music Therapist will first do a music therapy assessment with the individual and then determine what goals and objectives will be targeted in music therapy. Then the individual’s treatment plan will be created.

Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music therapy sessions for individuals based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. Fine and gross motor skills can be targeted through interventions such as instrument playing and music to movement.

Music Therapists participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.

Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Autism, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain.

Persons who complete one of the approved college music therapy curricula (including an internship) are then eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Music therapists who successfully complete the independently administered examination hold the music therapist-board certified credential (MT-BC).

Lengths of sessions depend on the individual, level of functioning, and ability to attend.  Sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Music therapy offers a fun, successful, and non-threatening environment for individuals to develop and strengthen their skills and transfer those skills into 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.

Music Therapy interventions may:

• Improve Joint attention
• Improve speech/language
• Enhance auditory processing
• Improve sensory-motor skills
• Improve perceptual motor skills
• Improve fine/gross motor skills
• Help identify and appropriately express emotions/feelings

Helping Hands In-Home Health Care is willing to travel to the patient’s home or community facility, if necessary. Currently, our Music Therapy program serves Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties.