Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (MTA*) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.
*Music Therapist Accredited
--Canadian Association of Music Therapists
ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY
Why music therapy?
Music has been known to have a presence within every culture. It is a universal language that supersedes individual differences. For those who are non-verbal or have difficulty expressing their feelings, music is a form of communication that does not require words. It is a safe and beautiful outlet for self-expression. One of the key aspects required for growth and learning is personal motivation. Music itself is a motivator and can lead an individual toward therapeutic goals in a desirable way. Research suggests that musical processing is a multimodal experience accessing many different parts of the brain all at once. As music stimulates neural connections among brain cells, it provides optimal cognitive development for a person.
Learn more about music therapy:
Music therapy interventions include:
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Singing and playing instruments
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Musical improvisation
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Music and movement activities
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Educational and instructional songs
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Creating and recording original music
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Listening to music
These interventions help to work toward goal areas such as:
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Social
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Psychosocial
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Communication (receptive and expressive)
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Language and speech
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Gross and fine motor
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Cognitive and academic
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Sensory
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Relaxation
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Creative self-expression and a positive experience
