Music therapy integrates the elements of music with therapy to help provide a healing of mind, body, emotion and spirit.  A trained, board certified music therapist uses the nonverbal language of music to initiate contact with the client and to help foster a relationship that can help children and adults who have experienced trauma in developing a sense of safety, strategies for stress management, creative expression, communication, social support, positive coping and resilience.

Working individually or in dyad, family or group sessions, clients work with our music therapists through individualized experiences like song discussion, improvisation, listening, instrument playing, drumming, songwriting and singing.  No previous musical experience is required to participate in and benefit from music therapy.  Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives.

Music therapy provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.  Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas to help people who have experienced trauma, including increased relaxation, improved self-esteem, decreased anxiety, increased communication, enhanced relationships and increased group cohesiveness, and successful and safe emotional release. Because music therapy involves clients on a holistic and creative level, it can elicit responses from those who may not otherwise respond to traditional therapy.