What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an established and evidence-based health profession that involves a therapist providing music experiences to improve client health and functioning. The client uses instruments which require no prior skill while the therapist creates music on the piano, guitar, percussion, and/or via singing that engages, supports, and enhances the client's playing in order to foster things like engagement, joint attention, communication, socialization, and reduced anxiety. Recorded music and movement/dance experiences may also be used when appropriate.
Music Therapists have, at minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy, over 1000 hours of internship experience, and have passed a Board Certification exam. Music therapy can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with a client's other therapies to help them progress further using the highly motivating and impacting power of music. Music therapy is not necessarily about learning an instrument: the goal is to achieve a state where the client is a full participant in the music and experiences the clinically-proven benefits of active music making.
Why is Board Certification important?
Through our training as Music Therapists, we spend years studying disorders and disabilities, honing our musicianship skills, and learning how to implement appropriate music interventions for the goals of each individual client. Of course, music can still be therapeutic even if you are not a Music Therapist. However, a Music Therapist is trained to do things like:
Adapt instruments to facilitate a client’s full participation
Understand how rhythm, musical scales, genres, and the other facets of music impact a person’s physiological, emotional, and mental state
Harness music to its fullest potential to make a measurable impact during treatment
Provide live music as opposed to recorded (when possible or necessary) to amplify the therapeutic benefits
Customize songs for the client’s personal use
Do you accept insurance?
MusicAbility is currently out-of-network for all insurance, but will provide a “superbill” for your provider to reimburse you for music therapy services. Here are some other options which can help families fund services like music therapy:
Katie Beckett
This program is for children under the age of 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs. This program is for children who are not Medicaid eligible because of their parent’s income or assets. Families will receive up to $15,000 a year and music therapy is a qualifying expense. Learn more
Tennessee Respite Coalition
Offers $600 a year per household for respite services. These funds can be used for music therapy and adapted music lessons. To apply for the Respite Voucher Program, call their office at 888-579-3754 for assistance.
Arc of Williamson County Family Support
Family Support is a state funded grant that provides financial assistance for families who have a family member with a disability. The Arc administers the Family Support grant for Williamson County. Assistance varies between $500-$1,000 a year which is determined by funding and availability. Money can be used towards music therapy.
How do I get started?
Feel free contact MusicAbility directly at info@musicabilitylessons.com to discuss further questions you may have. MusicAbility provides potential clients with one free 30 minute consultation, which you can schedule online here by selecting “Music Therapy”