Music Therapy
Music therapy is the intentional use of music by a board-certified music therapist to support individuals with a wide variety of non-musical goals including
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Cognitive skills: attention, memory, problem-solving, academic knowledge
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Communication skills
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Emotional and sensory goals
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Fine and gross motor skills
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Behavioral and social skills
Music therapy involves an initial assessment to determine therapeutic goals, the implementation of music interventions through therapy sessions, and ongoing evaluation to track client progress. See below for current services provided.
Programmatic Music Therapy
Joyful Sound, LLC offers music therapy sessions within public and private schools, childcare and aftercare programs, and other community-based children's centers. Sessions target a wide variety of goals within a group of children.
IEP Related Services
Music therapy is currently considered a related service for Individualized Education Programs (IEP) under the IDEA legislation. This service involves an initial assessment and report to determine a student's eligibility for music therapy, followed by sessions that support IEP-related goals and objectives.
Private Sessions
Joyful Sound, LLC offers music therapy services in the comfort of your own home to support a wide variety of populations and goals, including autism-related services, emotional-behavioral goals, rehabilitative goals, and more.
Music Therapy Services
How does music therapy work?
Rhythm
Rhythm is a highly organizing force in the brain that allows multiple areas of the brain to respond with synchronicity. This in turn results in enhanced focus and attention, sensory integration, coordination and grounding.
Emotion
Music carries inherent emotional saliency that enhances engagement, and provides meaningful opportunities for learning and recall.
Communication
Musical activities like composition and improvisation create spaces to practice self-efficacy, decision-making, leadership, and communication of ideas in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment.
Neuroplasticity
Music is unique in that it is processed universally in the brain by various motor, speech, movement and emotional centers at the same time. This allows the brain to strengthen existing connections and form new pathways - a process known as nueroplasticity. This can aid in learning, rehabilitation and sensory coordination.
To find out more about music therapy, you can visit the American Music Therapy Association webpage