Bringing Music Into Your Home: Music Therapy Consultant
Posted Jan 24 2012 10:45am
Not everyone has access to a music therapist. Distance can too far to travel for frequent therapy sessions, or financial issues can prohibit access. So what if the music therapist could come to you?
In the therapy world, both music and otherwise, there has been discussion of video therapy sessions. While I am not sure if that is yet a viable option for the children I work with, I do want to take a moment to explore another option.
Consultation. There has been recent discussion about consulting services as music therapists. The thought is that those who cannot access music therapy services could still benefit from a music therapist’s expertise through a means other than direct in session contact. While this would not provide direct music therapy services (which would be the most advantageous), it would still put the family in a situation to where they can benefit from music as well.
In a state with under 100 music therapists, to me, this is brilliant.
Imagine a once or twice monthly skype or phone call with a nearby music therapist who has been familiarized with your loved one, and can share with you ways to utilize music to teach skills, manage behaviors, connect, and allow them to express themselves! When I think of the families around me who cannot access my services due to location or cost, this solution really seems ideal. While they are not participating in and benefiting from music therapy and the focused interventions that would entail, they are still able to benefit in some way form our body’s natural responses to music!
This could also apply to organizations who might not yet be able to fully fund a music therapy position. The music therapist can instruct the staff on ways to enhance their clients lives musically so that there can be some benefit from music until the funds to hire the music therapist for sessions can be allocated.
What are your thoughts on this form of music therapy consultation? Do you think that this is a viable way for you and your loved one to benefit from the therapeutic capabilities of music? professionals, what are your thoughts on equipping others with ideas and skills to use music at home?
In the therapy world, both music and otherwise, there has been discussion of video therapy sessions. While I am not sure if that is yet a viable option for the children I work with, I do want to take a moment to explore another option.
Consultation. There has been recent discussion about consulting services as music therapists. The thought is that those who cannot access music therapy services could still benefit from a music therapist’s expertise through a means other than direct in session contact. While this would not provide direct music therapy services (which would be the most advantageous), it would still put the family in a situation to where they can benefit from music as well.
In a state with under 100 music therapists, to me, this is brilliant.
Imagine a once or twice monthly skype or phone call with a nearby music therapist who has been familiarized with your loved one, and can share with you ways to utilize music to teach skills, manage behaviors, connect, and allow them to express themselves! When I think of the families around me who cannot access my services due to location or cost, this solution really seems ideal. While they are not participating in and benefiting from music therapy and the focused interventions that would entail, they are still able to benefit in some way form our body’s natural responses to music!
This could also apply to organizations who might not yet be able to fully fund a music therapy position. The music therapist can instruct the staff on ways to enhance their clients lives musically so that there can be some benefit from music until the funds to hire the music therapist for sessions can be allocated.
What are your thoughts on this form of music therapy consultation? Do you think that this is a viable way for you and your loved one to benefit from the therapeutic capabilities of music? professionals, what are your thoughts on equipping others with ideas and skills to use music at home?