Music Therapy Services

Creativity and Growth Through Music

Individual and Group Sessions are available to adults and children with disabilities. Sessions are designed according to each individual's special needs. Using music and music experiences, the music therapist (MT-BC) works with each individual to address specific goals and objectives that are determined by the therapist in close collaboration with parents and caregivers. Both individual and small group sessions are available with regular progress evaluations.  An assessment is required prior to registration.  To schedule an assessment call The FAA Customer Service Center at (440) 951-7500. For more information about our program or the process of music therapy, click on the links below.

Outreach Contracts are available to health care, educational and other community based agencies in Lake County .  Music therapy contracts are tailored to the specific needs of the agency and can provide group or individual sessions with regular progress evaluations.  For more information or to schedule a trial music therapy session for your facility, please call the FAA Music Therapy Office at (440) 951-7500 x124.

Our Therapists | Scholarships | Music Therapy Links |

Music Therapy Facts

Our Therapists

Bonnie St. John, MT-BC has directed the music therapy program at the Fine Arts Association since 2006. She oversees the development of the music therapy program and serves individual clients and offsite groups. Bonnie has worked with special needs children and adults for 3 years and specializes with children on the Autism Spectrum. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Clearwater Christian College in Psychology and went on to complete the Music Therapy Equivalency at Ohio University . Bonnie is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Ohio Association of Music Therapists and is a frequent presenter on varying topics in music therapy.

Ellen Shetler, MT-BC joined the FAA music therapy staff in September 2007. Ellen received her music therapy degree from Marywood University in Scranton , PA and has been a music therapist for 3 years. Ellen has experience working with a variety of populations and enjoys working with children, teens, and adults with special needs. Ellen is excited to offer two new classes in the spring: Leader of the Band and Read With Music

Scholarships

The Fine Arts Association offers United Way Scholarships to families in need throughout the year. The Fine Arts is also a private provider for the Autism Scholarship Program. Third party pay is also accepted from the following organizations:

•  The Lake County Board of MRDD

•  Deepwood Foundation

•  Respite

•  ECOT

•  The Help Foundation

•  Medicaid/Medicare

For more information about scholarships please contact the music therapy office at (440) 951-7500 x124.

Music Therapy Links

American Music Therapy Association

www.musictherapy.org

Ohio Association of Music Therapists

www.aomt.org

Great Lakes Region of Music Therapy

www.glr-amta.org

Certification Board for Music Therapists

www.cbmt.org

Music Therapy Facts

Definition

Music therapy may be defined as the structured use of music and music experiences geared toward helping individuals with disabilities meet both musical and non-musical goals.  Music therapy goals may be behavioral, physical, cognitive, social, emotional or language and communication oriented.

Benefits

Everyone can benefit from music therapy, from young children to elderly seniors.  Music is a language "which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."  Persons with almost any disability have ability when it comes to music.  Music therapy clients participate through playing instruments, improvising and making up new songs, singing, or even just listening.  The Fine Arts Association currently serves clients with:  Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation (mild to severe), Attention Deficit Disorder, Lowe's Syndrome, Cornelia DeLange Syndrome, Tourrette's Syndrome, dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.

MT-BC

The board certified music therapist (MT-BC) is a highly trained professional that has been educated to work with special populations while also earning a music degree.  The music therapist has completed undergraduate studies in music, theory, special education, counseling and practicum followed by a six month internship.  Finally, the music therapist must pass the board exam to receive the credentials MT-BC.

In music therapy, the MT-BC works closely with parents and care givers to develop goals based on the individual's physical, behavioral, social, emotional, cognitive, language and communication needs.  Music therapy sessions are then designed to help the individual to cope with these unique needs.  In music therapy sessions, therapists use techniques such as music improvisation, receptive music listening, music performance on instruments and with the voice and learning through music.

Instruments

Interactive instruments such as the guitar, piano, autoharp,  Q-Chord (an electronic cousin of the autoharp) and keyboard are most commonly used to engage clients in music activities.  Hand held percussive instruments are often used including drums, maracas, bells, rhythm sticks, claves, castanets, tambourines, wood blocks, and chimes.  Unique instruments such as the ocean drum may also enhance the music therapy experience by providing stimulation.

Also, visual aids are used in music therapy to better facilitate communication.  Visual charts and picture schedules provide a structure and predictability and help to decrease anxiety.  Song choice picture cards and instrument pictures assist clients in making choices, and puppets and bean bags help create fun interactive music activities.

Sessions

Sessions take place once a week for 45 minutes in which the music therapist works with an individual or group to make music through experiences like:

•  Strumming the guitar

•  Singing

•  Music exploration at the piano

•  Playing percussion instruments

•  Movement to music

•  Improvisation on the xylophone

Other music-based experiences within the music therapy session include:

•  Drawing to music

•  Music listening

•  Song and instrument choices

•  Puppetry

•  Reading

•  Stimulation

Assessment

Assessments are conducted for new clients who wish to participate in the music therapy program.  During an assessment session, the individual will be exposed to a variety of different music, instruments and music experiences while the therapist makes observations regarding behavior, motor skills, cognitive skills, language and communication skills, as well as musical ability and interest.  Parents and caregivers will have time to discuss potential goals of music therapy with the music therapist immediately following the assessment session.  To schedule an assessment session, call The Fine Arts Association Customer Service Center at (440) 951-7500.