- Music therapists can serve clients in individual or group settings.
- Group sessions provide a cost effective way to work with multiple people simultaneously; and provide opportunities to address more psychosocial needs and interaction between individuals.
- Individual sessions provide the opportunity to focus on exactly what that specific individual needs most at a given moment. This format can be particularly helpful for those utilizing music therapy for rehabilitation needs, hospice, and palliative care. Individual sessions also allow people who may not be able to participate in a group environment due to mobility, behavioral issues, or cognitive issues to do so.
- Sessions may vary in structure and type depending on goals and client’s immediate needs and preferences.
- The music therapist will conduct an initial assessment of client needs during the first visit(s), and will conduct ongoing assessments of immediate client needs throughout each session thereafter making appropriate modifications as needed
- Depending on the client’s needs, the music therapist will facilitate a single or multiple therapeutic music experiences to address nonmusical goals.
- Family members, care providers, and friends may participate in sessions to structure interaction or enhance the overall quality of care; or they may use session time for respite.
- Each music therapy session can be structured the same way or differently depending on interests and needs.