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  • About Music Therapy
    • Questions About Music Therapy
    • Why Should I Try Music Therapy?
    • Client Benefits and Goals
    • Session Structure
    • Music Therapy Interventions
    • Role of the Music Therapist
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    • More Information on Music Therapy with Specific Populations
      • Referral Candidates
      • Parkinson’s Disease
      • Stroke Rehabilitation
      • Seniors
      • Hospice and Palliative Care
      • Autism
      • Developmental Disabilities
      • Children with Special Needs
      • Mental Health
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  • About Us
    • Melissa Spiess, M.M., MT-BC Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow
    • Megan Lakemacher, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist, Lead Music Therapist
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Music Therapy and Seniors

Due to COVID-19 All of our services are being provided virtually at this time

For More Information on How Virtual Sessions Work Click Here

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is an evidence-based allied health service similar to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology that uses music as the therapeutic tool to address physical, cognitive, social, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and/or behavioral needs.

Why Should I Try Music Therapy?

  • Due to the motivational factors provided by music and the brain and body’s response to music, music therapists can sometimes gain positive responses where others were unable to reach them.
  • Music is a part of everyday life, especially for seniors. Music therapy provides a natural, non-threatening, fun, and reinforcing way to address needs in all domains (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual and behavioral).
  • Music therapists can help clients control pain, discomfort, shortness of breath, and anxiety.
  • Music therapy can structure interaction between clients, families, and friends which is particularly beneficial when clients may not recognize loved ones, when young children are involved, and/or for people struggling with end of life issues.
  • Music therapy can help people maintain physical and cognitive abilities, helping them to be as independent as possible in activities of daily living.

Client Benefits From Music Therapy

Physical

  • Decrease pain, tension, discomfort, and shortness of breath
  • Increase comfort/relaxation
  • Increase range of motion and flexibility
  • Increase strength and endurance while decreasing fatigue and recovery time
  • Improve circulation
  • Increase coordination
  • Decrease nausea and vomiting

Cognitive

  • Heighten cognitive ability
  • Facilitate reminiscence
  • Improve or maintain intelligibility of speech
  • Improve short- and long-term memory
  • Improve expressive communication
  • Improve receptive communication
  • Increase sensory stimulation

Emotional, Spiritual, and Psychosocial

  • Improve mood
  • Improve affect
  • Provide emotional support
  • Provide spiritual support
  • Structure social interactions and decrease isolation
  • Increase opportunities for personal choice
  • Decrease fear, stress, and anxiety
  • Increase interest, esteem, and coping ability
  • Increase self-expression
  • Increase satisfaction with life
  • Increase sense of belonging
  • Enhance self-identity
  • Increase frequency of successful experiences
  • Increase awareness of self and others

How Do I Know if Someone is Qualified to Provide Music Therapy Services?

  • Qualified music therapists carry the credential MT-BC indicating that they have passed the national, independent certification board exam and have maintained awareness of current practice through continuing education or retesting. DO NOT work with anyone claiming to be a music therapist without the MT-BC designation.
  • To confirm MT-BC status go to: http://www.cbmt.org/certificant_search
  • Music therapists may carry the designation of Neurologic Music Therapist, which means that they have undergone additional training in this specific model of music therapy. Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow indicates that they have successfully passed advanced training & peer review of Neurologic Music Therapy techniques.
  • It is highly recommended that those with neurologic issues (stroke, Parkinson’s, TBI) work primarily with Neurologic Music Therapy Fellows, or if they are not available in your area, Neurologic Music Therapists.

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Music Therapy Resources

Board Certification

  • American Music Therapy Association
  • Certification Board for Music Therapy
  • Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy

Downloads

  • Music Therapy-Referral-Form
  • Music-Therapy-Referral-Candidates
  • MT for Parkinson’s Disease
  • MT for Stroke Rehabilitation
  • MT for Seniors
  • MT in Hospice & Palliative Care Trifold Brochure
  • MT for Autism
  • MT for Developmental Disabilities
  • MT for Children with Special Needs
  • MT & Mental Health
  • MT for Wellness
  • Legacy Gifts and Digital Services
  • Candidates for Music Therapy

Start Music Therapy

Whimsical music notes on a staff

How Do I Begin Music Therapy Services?

If you would like to find out more about how music therapy may help your loved one or to begin music therapy services, please contact:

Melissa Spiess, M.M., MT-BC
Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow
melissa@livingspirittherapy.com
651-363-3936

If you know you would like to initiate music therapy services please download, print, and complete the referral form.

Download Form

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All Living Spirit Therapy Services, LLC employees are credentialed through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

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Contact Us

Melissa Spiess, M.M., MT-BC

Neurologic Music Therapist
melissa@livingspirittherapy.com
651-363-3936

Start Music Therapy

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