What happens in a music therapy session?
While there is no one formula for a music therapy session, clients might engage in interventions such as music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. These interventions are tailored to meet the client’s needs and goals. Often, the client’s preferred music will be used in sessions.
Who can benefit from music therapy?
Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor (AMTA, 2019).
How can I access music therapy services?
- Fill out a referral form for yourself or the person you are referring to services. Contact Patricia Blair at hinotesmusictherapy@gmail.com or (808) 681-2131 to receive a referral form by mail or email.
- Complete a phone or in-person intake meeting. The music therapist will ask you some questions to learn more information about the client. At this time, share the reason for referral to music therapy and what you want to gain from this service.
- Complete a music therapy assessment. During assessment, the music therapist will meet in-person with the client and present a variety of music interventions designed to test different skills, such as following directions, motor functioning, verbal expression, memory, etc. The assessment lasts for one hour and can be completed at one time, or broken into two half-hour sessions. After the assessment sessions are completed, the music therapist will provide the client and/or family with a written assessment report and treatment plan.
- Schedule music therapy sessions. Based on the assessment results and the client’s schedule, the therapist and client/caregiver will determine the session time, frequency and duration of treatment, and location of sessions. Sessions can take place on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.
Where do services take place?
Music therapy and other services take place in locations that are convenient and appropriate for the clients being served. Locations may include clients’ homes, community centers, music and dance studios, care homes, adult day health centers, hospitals, and professional therapy offices. Contact us for more information about current service locations.
What forms of payment are accepted?
At this time, HI Notes Music Therapy accepts cash, check, or bank account payment (via Wave). Clients have the option to pay at the time of service, or to receive an invoice afterward, with the payment due 30 days after the service.
Do you offer a discount or sliding scale?
HI Notes Music Therapy offers discounted services funded by donations. Please contact Patricia Blair to learn about the availability of this funding.
Is there research to support music therapy?
Yes! Studies on applications of music therapy with various client populations have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and other publications. Music Therapy is considered a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Visit musictherapy.org for more information about music therapy for specific populations.