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What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.

Canadian Association of Music Therapists (September 2020)

Support Groups

Who benefits from Music Therapy?

Music therapy is used with individuals of various ages, abilities, and musical backgrounds. Below are examples of medical conditions, living conditions and goal areas that might lead to someone accessing music therapy.

  • Acquired Brain Injury​

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Developmental Disabilities

  • Geriatric Care

  • Hearing and/or Visual Impairments

  • Mental Health Difficulties

  • Neonatal Care

  • Obstetrics

  • Oncology

  • Pain Control

  • Palliative Care

  • Physical Disabilities

  • Speech and Language Impairments

  • Substance Abuse

  • Wellness

What can Music Therapy help with?

Music therapy can be used to address needs in various domains. Below re some examples and is not an exhaustive list of goals/aims:

​Cognitive

  • Attention/Concentration

  • Development/establishment of activities of daily living (ADLs)

  • Executive functions (e.g. decision-making, organization, reasoning, etc.)

  • Inhibition

  • Memory recall and facilitation; reminiscence

​

Speech/Language and Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal)

  • Articulation

  • Expressive communication

  • Oral motor development

  • Pacing

  • Receptive communication

  • Respiratory control/strength

  • Vocalizations

​

Emotional

  • Emotional regulation

  • End-of-life emotional support

  • Relaxation

  • Self-awareness

  • Self-expression

  • Skills for coping with anxiety

​

Physical

  • Balance and coordination

  • Breath and heart-rate regulation

  • Endurance

  • Fine motor skills

  • Gait training

  • Gross motor skills

​

Sensory

  • Auditory sensitivities

  • Pain management

  • Proprioceptive input (ability to understand where the body is in space)

  • Spatial awareness

  • Vestibular input (sense of balance, spatial orientation)

  • Visual/Auditory/Tactile/Olfactory stimulations & sensations
     

Social

  • Initiating/sustaining social interactions

  • Turn taking

  • Leading/following directions

  • Sharing

  • Waiting

Circle of people
Music Performance

How much does Music Therapy cost?

The current recommended fee schedule from the Music Therapy Association of Ontario ranges depending on length and type of session. Find the music therapy fee breakdown on our fees & services page .

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