MUSIC THERAPY PHILOSOPHY

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• A blend of behavioral, humanistic, and community-focused models

  • There is not a “one size fits all” form of therapy in a diverse world full of people with varying individualized experiences, and many of these stories are made more complex by a history of personal or intergenerational trauma.

  • I consider a blending of different theoretical frameworks crucial in order to find or develop the skill set that is most appropriate and accessible to each client to achieve their goals.

  • No person exists in a vacuum, and if the client wishes for others to be part of their music therapy experience, we can work together to make that happen. Bringing client support networks into a musical therapeutic space can help strengthen interpersonal bonds and feelings of connectedness. Client support groups that utilize music are used to help those of a shared experience connect or reconnect with others. 

• Cultural sensitivity

  • I practice with an awareness and acknowledgment of systemic injustice and discrimination based on skin color, class, ethnicity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, and other methods of societal division, and actively practice and coach skills to build resilience and self-love within this context.

  • I continue to seek out new-to-me musical styles and influences from various time periods and regions to better familiarize myself with the breadth of human musical experience. 

• Client-centered care

  • Client input matters, and client choice matters is crucial to the therapeutic process. There are unfortunately many situations where a client may be in a situation with limited ability to make their own choices (such as hospitalization or in cases of limited movement). With this in mind, it is crucial for my therapeutic space to provide a haven for safe expression of preference, without judgment or penalty for saying “no”.​

• Collaboration in therapy development and implementation whenever applicable

  • This can be between the therapist and client, between the therapist and the client’s support network(s), and/or between the therapist and the client’s professional care team

  • Oftentimes clients are referred to music therapy from a different professional hoping for added healing with the addition of music as a medium. It is crucial for therapists and care professionals to collaborate when possible, not only to provide the most complete and consistent care, but also develop goals that are constructive and complementary to the work of other professionals

  • Collaboration is a delicate balance of staying within a professional's scope of practice whilst amplifying the work of other professionals, and a matter of great importance. For more information on the AMTA Scope of Practice, click here.

• Music in therapy, music as therapy

  • ​MUSICAL SKILL IS NOT REQUIRED. You don't have to be a "good enough" musician, or have training in an instrument to experience and benefit from music therapy

  • Music can be incorporated into therapy in many different ways, depending on the wishes and needs of the client, and always accommodating for client ability and interest

  • If music makes you feel good, you are a candidate for music therapy!