ASSIST is home to a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC). “You hear ‘music therapy’ and you imagine people sitting in a circle with drums or lightly singing. That can be music therapy for some people, but it’s only a fraction of the exciting therapeutic options available,” says Rachel Turnbill, ASSIST’s on-site MT-BC. “Music therapy is proven to help regulate stress. There’s a lot of science behind it. But we all instinctively know that playing our favorite song, artist, or loading a mood playlist can change how we feel. That’s the power of music.”
Music therapy sessions at ASSIST are about 50 minutes long and are personalized to the participant. “Music therapy is a lot like occupational or speech therapy, where therapies are designed to help with specific goals or needs,” says Turnbill.
In music therapy, this might be emotional processing, working on coping mechanisms, self-reflection and expression, communication, and relationship building. “It’s really whatever people need that day, at that moment. That can change from session to session, and so can the music,” says Turnbill.
Music therapy may not be ideal for people with sensitivity to loud or sudden noises, but it can be an option when carefully regulated. “Like music, there are almost endless possibilities,” says Turnbill.
“Young kids may benefit from playing music-related games. Teens may enjoy practicing a new instrument or just listening to some favorite streams. Adults might like some music-assisted relaxation techniques.” She adds, “There are a lot of options for meditations, reflection, improvisation, and more. Every session could be entirely different, and that’s okay!”
Of special interest to parents and caregivers of non-verbal children, music therapy can open new pathways for self-expression and communication. “Music interacts differently in our brains than language,” says Turnbill. “Language relies on our left hemisphere, whereas music engages both left and right hemispheres. This can potentially ‘rewire’ conscious and unconscious pathways. It’s really powerful in all verbal processing and communication.” Similar benefits have been documented for stroke survivors.
Music therapy at ASSIST can be combined with other therapeutic services, such as one-on-one or small group therapy sessions for trauma victims and abuse survivors. “The combination of music therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy opens a lot of opportunity for young children, for instance, who may not have a vocabulary yet to express trauma or other harms,” says Turnbill.
Learn more about music therapy at ASSIST and the science behind it.
Contact ASSIST with questions or to learn more about availability.
