Pediatric & Adolescent Music Therapy
Our music therapy program is designed to help your child meet their treatment goals through the use of music-based activities that are created and implemented by a board-certified, state-licensed music therapist. Below are some answers to common questions we receive about our music therapy program.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music-based activities to meet treatment goals in the same areas that other therapists address. These activities might include, but are not limited to, songwriting, instrument improvisation, musical imitation, movement to music, singing, turn-taking activities, and lyric analysis. In the Metro Music Makers music therapy program, the music therapist creates a curriculum of activities to meet treatment goals, and uses specialized software to track treatment data and measure progress.
What kind of training and credentials do music therapists have?
Music therapy cannot be provided by just anyone. Music therapists must complete at least a four-year degree program and a six-month clinical internship, as well as sit for a board certification exam. Then they must obtain a state license to practice music therapy, and in order to maintain their certification, they are required to complete an additional 100 hours of continuing education every certification cycle. All of our music therapists have met these criteria and bring all of this experience and education into the treatment of each client. Click on a name below to read the bio of anyone on our music therapy team.
Sara Longwell, Licensed Music Therapist
Kristen Van Dyke, Licensed Music Therapist
What diagnoses do you work with?
Our music therapists have experience with the following diagnoses and more:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD
- Auditory processing disorder
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety/depression
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Learning disabilities
- Vision impairment
If your child does not currently have a diagnosis, we understand that that can be an ongoing process, and we can still work towards treatment goals addressing your child’s symptoms as you continue that journey. Here are just some of the areas of treatment music therapy can be effective in:
- Speech/language development
- Improving focus
- Reducing impulsivity
- Improving social skills
- Increasing emotional expression and vocabulary
- Improving emotional coping skills
- Self-care skills
- Improving fine and gross motor skills
- Improving auditory discrimination
- Reinforcing academic skills
- Improving cognition
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Reducing sensory sensitivities
Where do sessions take place?
We currently provide exclusively in-home music therapy, so your therapist will come directly to you. We are proud to provide this convenience, as we know that many of our clients are participating in multiple therapies and must commute to most of them. It is our hope that providing in-home sessions makes music therapy a convenient and comfortable option for your family.
How long are music therapy sessions, and how often do they take place?
We always make final decisions based on the needs of each individual client, but most of our clients will have sessions once per week, and a typical session lasts 30 minutes.
Ready to find out more? Call us today at 678-637-7293, or email us at info@metromusicmakers.com for more information.
