Music Therapy for Motor Skill Development
Music Therapists have the skill and training to address a really wide variety of therapeutic goals. These could include areas such as communication, social-emotional health, or sensory development. Today, I’m sharing how music therapists address fine and gross motor skills and how that might benefit you or your child.
Music for Emotion Regulation
Have you ever had the experience of being somewhere, or driving in your car, and that one song comes on and suddenly you are bawling, connecting to every word and every note in that song? Music is powerful, and we relate to it in so many ways. There are pieces that make us feel alive and energized, music that helps us work out, music that connects us spiritually, music that makes us feel all the feels, music that helps us meditate or be more fully present.
Is My Therapist Antiracist?: How To Find A Therapist That Fits You
As therapy and mental health services become more accessible and less stigmatized (we still have a long way to go!), more people are searching for therapists who will help them navigate the challenges and changes of their lives. But the process of finding a therapist can be daunting, intimidating, and frustrating as databases are incomplete, profiles speak in professional jargon, and intakes can be impossible to schedule. It can feel powerless, asking for someone in an ivory tower to help.
We need to flip this script. You finding a therapist is about You. Instead of, ‘will this person have availability and accept me as a new client,’ let’s change it to ‘does this therapist fit MY needs, will this therapist have a perspective that understands and validates me?’
Makin’ Lemonade: Music and Art Teletherapy (By: Cacia King)
For those of you who know Team Sonatina, you know that we’re creative and aren’t ones to sit still! When we saw how things were progressing in our community with COVID-19, we immediately sprung into action.
Anxiety in the Age of Outbreak: Music-Based Meditation (By: Rebecca Gildea)
When the world around us feels like it’s burning, when there is uncertainty about our basic needs, we can start to feel the severe intensity of our most basic fears arise.
How Do I Become a Music Therapist?
Music therapy is still considered a "new" profession in the state of New Hampshire and I am frequently asked about my music therapy credentials by friends, parents, and other allied health professionals. You may or may not have heard about NH House Bill 1286 relative to the licensure of music therapists. As chair of the task for for music therapy advocacy in NH, I’ve been very involved with the process of the bill and one of the initial concerns when the process began was the question of our training and education. Today I'm sharing my personal journey to becoming a music therapist and some general facts about the training and qualifications of a board certified music therapist.
A Therapeutic Space (By: Jordan Elias)
Before any music is made, the space we share can contribute a lot to the growth of both the group and the individuals in it. A welcoming space doesn’t exclude anyone; it offers opportunities for everyone to participate in whatever way works best for them. Stepping into that therapeutic space, we can signal that there’s no right way to participate and no one way to succeed.
FAQ FRIDAY: How to Reschedule Groove & Grow Classes
I registered for an enrichment class but I am unable to attend. Now what?
With the holiday punch card sale and the addition of 6 new Groove & Grow class sections in our recent past - We are getting a million questions about classes from our new families. This week I’m talking about how flexible we’ve made these classes so that YOU the parent can relax and enjoy them too.
Creative Arts Therapy for Adults
It recently came to my attention that when you look around our website, it is pretty clear that we offer services for children, but it is not as obvious that we offer services for adults. I think one of the reasons for this is that on our Instagram, Facebook, and other social media pages, we share a lot of visual content that depicts children and activities for families. I also share my songs and videos that I use in early childhood enrichment programs frequently, because I know there are a lot of parent readers out there who are paying attention to what I have to say!
Today I want to highlight some of the ways in which we serve adults and I invite you to share these services with the adults in your life who could benefit!
FAQ FRIDAY: Who Goes to Music and Art Therapy?
Who participates in music and art therapy group sessions?
At the Sonatina Center, we believe in creating inclusive environments in all of the work that we do. Individuals of all strengths and abilities are welcome in our groups, and often we have unique and diverse group participants which enhance the experience of all participants.
FAQ FRIDAY: Adult Music and Art Therapy Groups
Do you have any support groups for adults?
It is always pretty obvious to new community members that we provide services for children, but not many people are aware that we also see Adults for a wide variety of reasons.
FAQ FRIDAY: What is the difference between Creative Arts Enrichment and Creative Arts Therapy?
What is the difference between Creative Arts Enrichment and Creative Arts Therapy?
At The Sonatina Center, we hear this question a lot! The primary reason is because we are a team of music and art therapists offering individual and group therapy services but we also offer some wonderful enrichment programs so we see how it can get a little confusing to understand which hat we are wearing and when!
FAQ FRIDAY: What Happens in Creative Arts Therapy Groups?
WILL THE ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT THERAPY GROUP BE THE SAME?
As we prepare for our 2020 Winter Session of Therapy Support groups to get underway, this is a question that I've been asked at least 12 times in the last two weeks, and definitely deserves an answer here.
What is Music Enrichment?
Often times, I get the question of "what is music enrichment"? What sets the Sonatina Center apart from another music instructor in the town? Both are completely valid questions.
Why is Spinning Good for Kids?
If you have ever attended a Groove & Grow music class or if your child has participated in a 1:1 music therapy session with me, then you have probably noticed that we frequently use our big gathering drum as a vehicle for spinning. Today I’m here to talk about why we do this! Curious? Read on!
Does Health Insurance Cover Music and Art Therapy Services In New Hampshire?
Health Insurance is a hot topic right now so today I want to give you the 4-1-1 on health insurance coverage for creative art therapies like music therapy and art therapy. Read on to find out if you can be reimbursed for our services!
Making Progress (By: Marissa Scott)
It's June and for all of us at The Sonatina Center, that means we are reviewing and documenting the progress our clients have made this quarter on their personal goals in music therapy and in art therapy. We do this by writing quarterly progress notes that outline some of the accomplishments we've seen our clients achieve in the last three months and identifying areas of need to focus on as we move forward. Today I'm going to take you through the process I go through when writing progress notes for my music therapy clients.
Understanding Music Therapy Goals (By: Marissa Scott)
Today I'd like to take you through the process of and explain the what, how, and why of writing music therapy goals. If you are wondering what you should expect from your music therapist when it comes to goal setting, then read on!
3 Ways Music Therapy Will Benefit Your Non-Verbal Child (By: Marissa Scott)
Making people more aware of the music therapy profession is a big part of my work as a music therapist. Today I'm talking about how music therapy will benefit your non-verbal child. In my work at The Sonatina Center, I have worked with many non-verbal children, some who learn to verbally communicate and some who learn to communicate in other ways. All of these children have benefited from their experience with a music therapist.
Music Helps Through Tough Transitions (By: Marissa Scott)
Here are a few ways that music can reduce your child's struggles through transitions like waking up, arriving, leaving, waiting, changing activities or changes to the day-to-day and even week-to-week routine.