Why Music Therapy is Important

Music therapy is an allied health profession that uses music as a vehicle to address physical, social, cognitive, and psychological goals.

For decades, certified music therapists have been impacting the lives of many across the globe. From the NICU to end of life care, music therapists create individualized treatment plans to help client's improve various aspects their everyday lives. 

Music therapists are board certified clinicians who have met the requirements established by the American Music Therapy Association.  

Patients living with dementia are often unable to recognize themselves or their loved ones, but a familiar, preferred song will suddenly trigger past memories. Their face will light up as they sing along to songs from their youth. Our therapists are trained to understand these connections and use them to make meaningful, therapeutic experiences. 

For children or adults with special needs, music therapy may be associated with improving social or cognitive tasks such as sequencing, peer interaction, articulation of speech, comprehension, impulse control, and so much more. For individuals who are nonverbal, music can be the bridge for communication with others.

In hospice care, music therapy interventions center around improving a patient’s quality of life through reminiscence, meaningful bonding with loved ones, creation of music-based legacy projects, or symptom management. Our program currently offers a “Music From the Heart“ service, where the therapist records a patient’s heartbeat using a specialized stethoscope and then uses that recording as a foundation for a song. 

Music is a powerful tool in a therapeutic setting because it is universal, non-invasive, and can be a vehicle for change. It also creates an atmosphere where clients can express themselves in a creative and productive way. 

This is what our community is saying about music therapy:

"For people living with dementia, music therapy brings back what family members thought was once lost." Kathleen Adderley, MT-BC

"I've seen music therapy give a route of expression when there was none." -Nancy Echavarria, RN

"The power of music alters the way we feel and the way we heal." -Tomas de Leon

”Music therapy is a fresh breath of hope.” -Manuel Toscano, MSW

"Music therapy is a non-threatening way to connect with someone on a deeper level." -Laken Walker, MT-BC

For more information about our services, visit www.rgvmusictherapy.com.