Individual Music Therapy
Individual music therapy focuses on attaining non-musical goals specific to the client's needs using music-based activities. Such goals can be pre-determined by the client, client’s family, and music therapist together.
Here are some examples of what music therapy interventions might look like:
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Writing a rock song with a teenager with anxiety to work on expressing emotions and identifying appropriate coping skills
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Practicing bilabial sound, “ba” with a child with a developmental disability along with a preferred song to improve speech and language skills
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A child with autism playing a drum and stopping when the music stops, working on executive functioning skills like impulse control
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Singing a song from the 50s with an adult with Alzheimer’s disease and reminiscing after, using the music to bring back positive memories and the associated mood from those memories.
Benefits of Music Therapy
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Emotional:
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Reduced stress and anxiety
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Improved emotional regulation
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Improved mood
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Physical
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Increased fine and gross motor skills
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Improved ability to complete activities of daily life (ADL)
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Communication
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Improved clarity of speech
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Improved language and conversation skills
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Social
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Increased joint attention
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Improved turn-taking skills and cooperation
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Cognitive
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Improved memory
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Improved executive functioning
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Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Clients with:
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Intellectual Disabilities/Mental Delays
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Alzheimer's/Dementia
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Physical Disabilities
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Substance Abuse Disorder
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Brain Injuries
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Acute and Chronic Pain
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ADHD