What is Music Therapy?
- Clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional
- Creating music centered objectives to achieve on-musical goals and generalize skills
Music Therapy is NOT:
- Celebrities performing at hospitals and/or schools
- A piano player in the lobby of a hospital
- Nurses playing background music for patients
- Artists in residence
- Arts educators
- A high school student playing guitar in a nursing home
Candidates for Music Therapy Services:
- Use of music to improve or maintain functioning the following areas:
- Motor functioning
- Psychological
- Social or Emotional
- Sensory
- Communicative
- Cognitive functioning
Effectiveness of Music Therapy:
- Trained music therapist selects music (songs, interventions, instruments) to personally reflect clients, thus creating an individualized treatment experience
- Access an individualized cognitive, emotional, and physical functions simultaneously- a whole brain process
- Works with medications and other therapies to gain faster results with an enjoyable experience
- Clinical and medical research backed results- observable, identifiable, measurable, and predictable outcomes
Music Interventions Designed to:
- Improve:
- Self image and body awareness
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Auditory perception
- Increase:
- Communication skills
- Ability to use energy purposeful
- Interaction with peers and others
- Attending behavior
- Independence and self direction
- Reduce maladaptive behaviors
- Enhance emotional expression and adjustment
- Stimulate creativity and imagination
Music Therapy Process:
- Referral
- Self, family/caregiver, team member/professionals, etc. may refer individuals
- Assessment
- Formal assessment completed upon beginning treatment
- Treatment Plan
- Develop formal goals and objectives
- Implementation
- Documentation
Music Therapy Co-Treatment Opportunities
- Music therapists work with other therapeutic disciplines to provide musical support to achieve goals
- Music therapy with BCBA
- Music therapy with occupational therapy
- Music therapy with speech therapy
- Music therapy with physical therapy
If interested in learning more about Hillcroft’s Music Therapy Services, please contact:
Anna Wamhoff
Music & Recreational Therapy Services Coordinator
(765) 284-4166
awamhoff@hillcroft.org
