Music Therapy at Music Works NW
Music Therapy, as defined by the American Music Therapy Association, is "...an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages." Through the medium of music, Music Therapists work with clients to achieve non-musical goals. Areas that may be addressed include: Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Cognitive Enhancement, Communication and Language, Mental Status/Emotional Affect, Attention and Focus, Creativity and Self Expression, Team Building, and Quality of Life. At Music Works NW, we specialize in the use of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), an advanced level training that is based on scientific research of music and the brain and is evidence-based. NMT is defined as “the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system,” (Thaut, 1999). In addition, we use the SCERTS® Model for children and persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities. SCERTS®, a research-based educational program, stands for Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transaction Support. Clients are actively engaged in a therapeutic arts process that may include: songwriting, improvisation, singing and/or instrument playing, receptive listening. The ultimate purpose of music therapy is to help individuals attain and maintain their maximum levels of functioning. To arrange a session with Music Therapist, Patti Catalano, call 425-644-0988. |
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Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Children and adults of every chronological age, mental age, and adaptive level of functioning can benefit from music therapy. At Music Works NW we take pride in focusing on the individual needs and strengths of the client whether they come to us with challenges due to autism, Parkinson's, Downs Syndrome, developmental delays, or any other area.
What does a Music Therapist do?
Professional music therapy involves a comprehensive assessment of emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses.
At Music Works NW our Music Therapist will design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music.
Who is a qualified Music Therapist?
Persons who complete one of the approved college Music Therapy curricula (including an internship) are then eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists
Music Therapists who successfully complete the independently administered examination hold the Music Therapist Board Certified credential (MT-BC)
The National Music Therapy Registry (NMTR) serves qualified music therapy professionals with the following designations: RMT, CMT, ACMT. These individuals have met accepted educational and clinical training standards and are qualified to practice music therapy.
What happens in a music therapy session?
For the first 1-2 sessions, an assessment is conducted. The client is observed for means of communication, fine and gross motor skills, ways of interacting with peers and adults, and cognitive abilities. This includes input from the parent or guardian about the client’s goals in other therapies. From this document, goals are written that reflect the client’s needs, incorporating his/her musical interests and abilities.
Goals are pursued for four to five months, unless the goal is fulfilled before that time, and progress reports are written twice a year. Music therapy sessions are individually tailored, but there are similarities in most sessions. A typical music therapy session involves three components:
Movement to music, with the hello song, begins the session. Movement, especially to rhythm, organizes the bodily systems and prepares the client for the activities to follow. It gives the client the opportunity to become engaged in the world around them with greater awareness and to be expressive creatively.
Singing/Vocalizing for speech goals, communication, expression, and greater interpersonal connection. Singing is a great way to work on speech needs. Familiar songs can be sung much more slowly to practice sounds and difficult words. Many songs are chosen that most closely resemble speech for greater transference from singing to speaking. Improvisational singing is a way to encourage greater vocalizations from clients who do not speak yet. Clients are given songwriting opportunities for greater self-expression and creativity. This can range from simple filling-in-the-blank of known songs to writing entire songs and albums. This strengthens memory and articulation, as well as self-reflection.
Instrument playing: This can manifest in many ways. Some clients learn to play an instrument, to read music, and eventually "graduate" to taking lessons with another instructor at the facility. Others play in a less structured, more expressive manner. The playing of instruments accomplishes many tasks:
Instruments played with mallets, such as the drum and marimba, provide opportunities to improve gross motor skills and eye-hand coordination. They also involve crossing the midline and foster flexibility. When two mallets are used simultaneously, both sides of the brain are used and must communicate with each other. This is a necessary skill that is needed for most tasks we do perform physically.
The piano, guitar and autoharp require isolation of the fingers and thus improve fine motor skills. Rhythm is a unifier: rhythmic patterns and pulsation support bodily movement that might otherwise be uncontrolled, random, or uncoordinated. Thus clients that don’t have great motor skills may be able to play instruments. Clients are often motivated to play favorite songs on an instrument of their choice, strengthening cognitive skills as well as eye-hand coordination and ear training.
Social Skills through Music
How does music therapy address the goals of young people with autism and other special needs? Music Therapy simultaneously addresses multiple therapeutic goals by using playful and interactive interventions such as:
- musical ensembles in which children learn basic cooperation and social skills
- group improvisation in which children become more aware of the interaction of others
- songwriting in which youngsters express creativity and collaborate with others to create
- singing songs that teach and reinforce basic social skills
Spring Quarter
Therapist: Kirsten Hutchison, MT-BC
Day: Saturdays
Time: 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Dates: April 21 – June 16 (no class May 26)
Ages: 7 - 10
Tuition: $224.00/8 weeks
Click here to register
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Music Therapy—Individual Sessions
Music therapy is offered for all ages throughout the summer. Participants have the opportunity to sign up for just the sessions they can commit to, helping them work around vacations and other commitments. Please call 425-644-0988 x 158 for more information about 1:1 Music Therapy Sessions.
Teen Music Network for ages 13 and up
Come join the fun! The Teen Music Network focuses on making music as a group. Making music as a group inspires us to tap into our talents, do problem solving, have opportunities to socialize, explore creativity, compose music, and learn to use instruments and technology. Designed for students with differing abilities and needs, the Teen Music Network gives participants an in-depth chance to work intensively on the end product of making fun music while working with their peers!
For more information or to see if this group would be a good fit for your teen, please call 425-644-0988 x158.
Spring Quarter
Therapist: Kirsten Hutchison, MT-BC
Instructor: Barbara Jurgensmeier
Day: Fridays
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Dates: April 20 – June 15 (no class May 25)
Tuition: $288
Minimum enrollment: 3 students
Maximum enrollment: 8 students
Click here to register
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Teen Music Network Summer Camp
Come join the fun in this weeklong version of our Teen Music Network for teens with special needs! The Teen Music Network Summer Camp focuses on making music as a group. Making music as a group inspires us to tap into our talents, do problem solving, have opportunities to socialize, explore creativity, compose music, and learn to use instruments and technology. Designed for students with differing abilities and needs, the Teen Music Network gives participants an in-depth chance to work intensively on the end product of making fun music while working with their peers!
Therapist: Kirsten Hutchison, MT-BC
Date: August 13-17, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Location: Music Works NW
Age: 13 and up
Price: $260
For more information or to see if this camp would be a good fit for your teen call 425-644-0988 x 158
Social Skills through Music Summer Camp
A weeklong version of our Social Skills Through Music Group for students with special needs, this camp will focus on the ensemble of making music as a group, problem solving, & giving students an in-depth chance to work intensively on the end product of making fun music while working with their peers! The campers will compose music, perform with friends, use instruments and technology, and have a great therapist/student ratio.
Therapist: Kirsten Hutchison, MT-BC
Date: August 20-24, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Music Works NW
Age: 7-12
Price: $160
For more information or to see if this camp would be a good fit for your teen call 425-644-0988 x 158