Music therapy is the clinical use of music to improve clients’ physical, social, cognitive, and psychological health.

Music therapy involves using music to increase overall health and wellness. No musical experience or training is required to benefit from or participate in music therapy treatment. Music therapists are trained to adapt musical experiences to meet the individualized needs and health goals for each client. This may (but it not limited to) the clinical use of:

• Songwriting

• Playing musical instruments

• Singing

• Receptive techniques

• Improvisation

• Supportive imagery

• Music-guided relaxation

• Music-guided art experiences

• Expressive arts-based interventions

• Music-supported breath work

• Adaptive music instruction

• Community-based music experiences or resources

• And more!

Music therapists consider a client’s strengths, musical preferences, and interests to help them reach their personal and clinical goals. Common treatment areas for music therapy may include:

• Increasing social and community integration

• Improving academic or cognitive skills

• Increasing attention to task, concentration, or participation

• Developing coping skills to manage mental health symptoms

• Improving motor abilities - fine or gross motor skills, range of motion, coordination, or gait

• Increasing quality of life

• Strengthening interpersonal skills

• Improving self expression

• Processing emotions and life experiences

• Improving social skills

The client’s first music therapy session will also serve as an evaluation or assessment so that the therapist can work with the client/family to identity any areas for growth and create a treatment plan for future therapy sessions.

Our Music Therapy Programs

Music has the potential to reach everyone. As music therapists, we are trained to use music to improve health and well-being for individuals of all ages and abilities.

We currently offer both individual music therapy and community music therapy groups in diverse clinical settings including (but not limited to):

• Neurodivergent individuals of all ages - diagnosis may include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and other developmental or intellectual disabilities

• Youth, adolescents, and adults in mental or behavioral health settings - diagnosis may include anxiety, depression, OCD, personality disorders, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions

• Individuals in hospice or end-of-life care

• Older adults diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and other forms of dementia

• Veterans experiencing symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Adults seeking general wellness experiences to cope with every day stress

• Caregivers seeking support and community

• Parent-child groups

Our Clinical Philosophy

At RGV Music Therapy and Wellness Center, we use a culture-centered and person-centered approach to music therapy that focuses on honoring the lived experience of our clients and providing them with music-based resources to use in their daily lives outside of music therapy treatment.

We practice from a social-justice oriented philosophy that is rooted in our border culture and community.

About Our Therapists

Our team of music therapists are highly trained clinicians who have obtained both

1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music therapy (or its equivalent) from an academic program recognized by the American Music Therapy Association and

2. Board certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists to hold the credential (MT-BC)

This means that our music therapists have specialized and in-depth knowledge about the clinical use of music in a variety of therapeutic settings.

Schedule an Individual Session

To schedule an initial evaluation or resume music therapy sessions, please contact our office at 956-625-2600.

You can review available appointment times here.

Reimbursement for Music Therapy

Music therapy is considered a specialized or “nontraditional” therapy service when it comes to accessing reimbursement through private insurance or state funded programs.

Music therapy is not covered services through traditional Medicaid and Medicare at this time.

Some private insurances consider music therapy treatment on a case-by-case basis. Although it is often difficult for clients and families to receive reimbursement for music therapy, there are options to access funding that are accepted here at our center including:

• YES waiver - This program is designed to help children and youth with serious mental, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

• CLASS waiver - This program was developed to increase access to community and home-based programs for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

• The Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program - This is a one-time $1,500 online grant for parents or guardians of eligible students served by special education and who are enrolled in a Texas public school.

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - We are currently set up to accept payments from HSA and FSA accounts; however, we recommend contracting your HSA or FSA provider directly to ensure coverage for music therapy treatment.

We are currently approved to accept all four of the above funding sources and we also accept private pay.

Grants to Cover Music Therapy

Clients in the state of Texas may also apply for a grant to cover the cost of music therapy treatment. The David Belshe Music Therapy Grant funded by the Music Therapy Access Fund awards $2,500 to cover approximately 6 months of treatment. Click here for additional information.

One of the requirements to apply for this grant is an evaluation by a board certified music therapist. Our practice is able to fulfill this requirement.

The People Project also offers grants for Texas residents to provide direct assistance to families with children in need of therapy and devices via the Huck Helps Fund. Click here to learn more about the application process.

We are dedicated to making music therapy more accessible in the RGV.

As we continue to search for funding opportunities, we will update our website and social media. Feel free to reach out to us at any time for additional information or opportunities not listed above.

Group Music Therapy for the Community

Paying for individual treatment is costly, especially over an extended period of time. In efforts to make music therapy more accessible to our community, we have established a series of community music therapy groups, called Community Spaces.

Each of our community groups are $15 per session for each participant. Visit the community spaces page above for more information about our groups and schedules.

Group Sessions for Local Healthcare Facilities

We are dedicated to serving our communities, not only through individual sessions, but by providing group music therapy for local facilities or organizations.

Music therapy groups in the community may include (but are not limited to):

• Skilled nursing or memory care facilities

• Day rehabilitation centers

• Psychiatric/mental health centers or hospitals

• Outpatient clinics

• Grief or bereavement programs

• Support groups

• Veteran programs

If you are interested in collaborating with our team of music therapists to provide groups sessions at your facility, please contact Marisa de Leon at marisa@rgvmusictherapy.com or call our office at 956-625-2600.