Music Therapy

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is the use of music interventions to reach non-musical goals. Similar to OT, SLP and PT, after the completion of a formal assessment, a treatment plan with individualized goals is developed alongside the client or family.  Through the use of music therapy techniques, we work on essential skills like socialization, emotional regulation, attention, communication and academics.

What happens in a music therapy session?

Music therapy is based on the strengths, needs and preferences of each client. When developing a treatment plan, a therapist works to highlight strengths, improve needs and to utilize the musical preference and instrument for each client. In general, each session will begin with a check in and a musical warm up followed by music therapy interventions designed to help the client achieve goals. The work will be infused throughout the session, and may involve singing, writing songs, lyric discussion and playing instruments. At times, clients may need musical rewards between sections of work. Each session ends with a goodbye song and a brief conversation with family or caregivers. All music therapy sessions are documented formally according to the treatment plan.

How does music therapy differ from music lessons?

Music therapy is the use of music interventions to reach non-musical goals by a board-certified music therapist. Music educators or instructors utilize music to reach musical goals.  While at times, both look the same from the outside, our intentions are different.  Educators want clients to learn about music and perform. Therapists want clients to improve their well-being through individualized techniques and interventions. Sometimes that may mean adapted lessons and learning an instrument, but there is no pressure to perform.

Our lessons differ from our competitors due to our ability to adapt lessons to fit the unique needs and music preferences of the student.  We are able to individualize the lesson to fit the strengths and needs of the student to include using visual aids to reduce frustration, implementing schedules to keep our students on task, and incorporating music games, rhythm instruments, movement and singing, and musical breaks to maximize learning.  We believe that everyone should have a successful experience with music lessons and our therapists are committed to helping you learn the best way you can.

How might music therapy benefit me?

Benefits of music therapy depend greatly on the reasons you sought therapy and what goals are developed during the assessment. Each treatment plan is unique; however, many clients see improvements in essential skills like socialization, emotional regulation, attention, communication and academics after music therapy services.

art therapy

What is Art Therapy?

Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Art Therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art Therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change (American Art Therapy Association, 2017).

What is the difference between Art Therapy and art class?

Art Therapy:

Art Therapy is facilitated by a master-level art therapist trained in both psychological theories and art processes and materials. There is a therapeutic relationship between the Art Therapist and client that is held within a confidential environment to include a therapy office or art studio. Art supplies are utilized as a means of expression and are encouraged to be explored without restrictions of traditional use. This allows individuals to create outside of the parameters of traditional expectations of art making. The process of creating may be as valued or more valued than the final product as it promotes communication and exploration of the inner self.

“Art is the meeting ground of the world inside and the world outside.” – Elinor Ulman

Art Class:

Art class is facilitated by an art educator in a classroom environment. The relationship between instructor and student is to learn how to create something using art materials. There is often a right or wrong way to create through use of techniques that result in a final art product. Focus of success is determined by a student’s ability to utilize the standards of technique, design principles, and formal elements within the product.

What are the benefits of Art Therapy?

• Identifies and builds on individual strengths
• Elevates self-esteem
• Reduces anxiety and stress
• Aids self-control
• Improves problem-solving skills
• Provides a method for healing
• Develops social/emotional levels
• Promotes self-awareness
• Cultivates emotional resilience
• Resolves conflicts and distress
• Advances societal and ecological change
• So much more!

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Play therapy

what is play therapy?

Play therapy is a specialized approach that utilizes the natural language of children – play – to help them express themselves, process difficulties, and learn positive ways forward. Through various playful activities and interactions within a safe and supportive environment, children are encouraged to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This form of therapy allows them to explore, make sense of their world, and address emotional challenges in a way that feels natural and non-threatening.

is play therapy only for children?

No! While play therapy is beneficial for children, it can also be beneficial for teenagers and adults. Play is more than just pretend and can include board games and other similar experiences. A play therapy approach is non-threatening and allows for exploration of thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Our play therapists serve children as young as three years old through adults.

What does a play therapy session look like?

Because there is so much research behind play therapy and it’s interventions, no client’s session will look identical. Play therapists may take the lead and utilize a planned activity, such as reading a story, playing a specific game, or making an art piece, or they may hand over control to the client choose how to spend their time in the playroom. Regardless of who is leading, the therapist supports the client’s growth through evidence based interactions. Play therapists have LPC or LCSW provisional/completed licenses, and use similar skills that talk therapists do – reflecting, identifying triggers, incorporating coping skills. Play is just another modality to bring awareness to what’s below the surface.

Many play therapy offices have similar toys and activities that fit Child Centered Play Therapy recommendations. These may include:
-baby dolls and bottles
-dollhouse with family figures
-puppets
-art supplies
-musical instruments
-toy vehicles, animals and buildings
-role play accessories (doctor’s kit, cash register, handcuffs)
-aggression release toys (foam sword, bop bag)
-construction toys (Lego, blocks)
-board/card games
-sensory regulation toys (fidgets, ring toss, balls, hula hoops)

counseling

What specialties do your clinicians have?

Our clinicians have additional training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the Bonney Method of Guided Imagery and Music, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing.  We practice with a person centered approach to talk therapy, meaning your therapist will not judge what you say, but may reflect your words to fully understand your thoughts and feelings. 

All therapists are trauma informed, LGBTQ affirming, body positive and racial justice allied. We have additional training on how to support people with mental health concerns that are also diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

Specialty areas of our counselors include: 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Life Transitions
• Self Esteem

Common reasons people seek support from our counselors:

• Emotional Regulation
• Coping Skills
• Women’s Issues
• Career Counseling
• Grief/loss
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Spirituality
• Relationships
• Overwhelmed with work/life balance
• Self-acceptance
• Time management
• Eating disorders

Can I use my insurance to pay for counseling?

All of our counselors accept Medicaid (Anthem Health Keepers, Aetna Better Health, Optum and Optima. Residents in counseling also accept private pay and sliding scale payments for their services. In addition, Anna takes some traditional managed care insurance plans like Anthem BCBS, Aetna and United. Payments for services can be made with Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts.

What happens in a counseling session?

During the first session, the therapist will take notes on what you believe is important and ask clarifying questions to get a picture of what is most important for you. Together, we will design a plan to accomplish your goals. We will discuss what interventions we may use and what you will be most comfortable with. We will decide about in-person or virtual appointments and frequency. 

After scheduling a consultation to determine which therapist is the best fit for you, we will lock in an appointment time and date.  Intake paperwork will be sent to verify your insurance and any copayments, collect personal information and become familiar with our privacy practices. Prior to the first appointment, you will be asked to answer a questionnaire that will assist us in determining what’s most important to include in your treatment plan. 

By working alongside the therapist to create your treatment plan, you are committing to get results.  Your open communication throughout the therapeutic relationship will be essential to your progress. By attending regularly and completing any “homework” you are committing to meaningful personal growth and fulfillment.