"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks"
(Hans Christian Anderson)
Photo: Due to confidential nature of Music Therapy treatment, Music Therapy activities being demonstrated with help of younger sister who has special needs (Diagnosis: Trisomy 12p). Photo posted with permission of parents.
Introduction
Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development.
Canadian Association for Music Therapy / Association de Musicothérapie du Canada Annual General Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, May 6, 1994
Education:
Bachelor of Music Therapy
(Acadia University 2006)
Canadian Association for Music Therapy Accrediation
(Completed 1000 hour internship January 13, 2008)
Music Therapist regularily participates in Continuing Education through peer support & CAMT conferences to gain new techniques and continually improve on self.
Clientele Served:
Long Term Care/Retirement Homes
Dementia
Adult and Children with Special Needs
Approach:
Both group sessions and 1:1 Music Therapy services are arranged with the facility and/or clientele in mind.
Activities designed to meet specific goals (such as Fine Motor/Gross Motor control, speech/vocalization etc).
Singing
Improvising
Playing Various Instruments (Therapist able to provide guitar, keyboard, tamboa (wooden xylophone type instrument), drum (djembe & frame drum), autoharp, small percussion instruments) Will use instruments depending on client/group circumstances & needs.
Pictures/memory aids to trigger song recognition and reminiscence.
Ottawa, Ontario
