info@rootedcadencemt.com 443-333-9948
About Music Therapy
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music in a therapeutic relationship to support a person's health-related goals or intentions. Music therapists are nationally board certified and sometimes state-licensed (according to state regulation) after completing a university-affiliated music therapy program which includes 1040 hours of clinical field experience.
For more information on music therapy, visit the Board Certification of Music Therapists at cbmt.org.
​
A music therapy participant does not need to have any prior background or experience in music. Music experiences in sessions are based on preferences, comfort levels, and goals. Examples of music experiences include but may not limited to:
-
Active music listening (lyric discussions, music and mindfulness, immersive listening, intentional playlist creations)
-
Music making (singing, improvisation, drumming, playing/learning how to play an instrument)
-
Song composition (songwriting, digital production/recording)
Benefits of Music Therapy
​
Music therapy has the potential to support a variety of needs and goal areas. Music therapy participants often engage in music therapy as a supplement to verbal therapy, or as a primary means of therapy if verbal therapy has been not historically beneficial to them. Amanda’s work is predominantly grounded in mental health, wellness, and community support for teens (14+) to end-of-life with experience in the following areas:
Trauma/PTSD - Depression - Anxiety - Resource Building - Identity Building - Life Transitions - LGBTQIA+ - Grief and Loss - Adolescent Mental Health - Adult Mental Health - Older Adult Mental Health - Dementia - End-of-Life Care
Research and client experiences identify benefits of music therapy such as:
-
a more accessible, and sometimes “safer,” way to experience and process emotions that feels more available than traditional therapy
-
More access to one’s creativity
-
Increased coping skills
-
Affirmation and validation of one’s lived experience
-
Mood regulation/grounding
-
Connecting to internal resources, such as hope, resilience, and empowerment
