Questions from Parents
Do you take insurance?
Music therapy is reimbursable as an out of network service with most insurance companies.
If you are interested in learning whether your insurance will cover music therapy, please contact us. In some cases insurance will not actually save you money if your out of network coverage is minimal and has a high deductible. It is definitely worth exploring and we are happy to help!
What happens in a music therapy session?
Music therapy sessions can look very different depending on the needs of the individual client. The music therapist designs each intervention to address the goal areas outlined on the treatment plan, and they usually fall under one of the following categories:
- Instrument Play/Exploration
- Movement
- Singing
- Relaxation
- Improvisation
Most likely, your child will be involved in playing instruments, dancing, singing, and interacting with the music therapist through musical play. Everything the music therapist does is designed to help the child progress in meaningful ways. Please feel free to ask about anything you see or hear during a session to learn how it promotes development.
What do you do during the Assessment?
The music therapy assessment will likely be the first time we meet you and your child face to face. We will ask you to fill out an intake form beforehand to get a basic idea of your child’s needs, then we will observe those areas firsthand during the assessment.
During the assessment session, the parent is invited to come into the music therapy room while the therapist works with the child and observes his or her responses to various interventions. The therapist may ask questions such as “do you usually see this behavior at home?” “what are your child’s favorite songs?”, or “how have you noticed him/her responding to music in other settings?” This active portion of the assessment, which occurs either in your home or in our studio, generally lasts about 45-60 minutes.
After the meeting, the music therapist will develop a treatment plan with individualized goals and objectives to address during subsequent therapy sessions. We will share the treatment plan with you, receive feedback on what you would like to address, make recommendations for frequency of services, and schedule future sessions.
Do you offer instrument lessons?
Yes! We most often teach piano, voice, and guitar, but can also teach a few other instruments upon request (such as drums or violin). Read more about Adapted Lessons HERE
What are your rates?
Our rates vary based on the type of service. Please reference our music therapy pricing guide for more information.
Can I use any scholarships or grants?
We are one of the approved providers for the Utah Fits All Scholarship so families can utilize their funding for music therapy. We can also work with kiddos receiving Open Ed/My Tech High funds.
How often do you recommend having sessions?
We see the vast majority of our clients 1x/week. Some come more often, and others are 2x/month, and it really depends on the needs of the individual, with additional consideration for your budget and what works best for you.
With that said, we tend to see the most progress with more regular sessions (1x/week).
How long is a music therapy session?
We offer 30 minute and 45 minute session options. For some of the younger clients or those with more severe attention difficulties the 30 minute option may be best.
Can you come to my home?
We are more than willing to come to you! Some children perform better in their home environment, and it may be easier to generalize skills this way.
If the music therapist needs to travel more than 15 miles, additional fees for commute will apply.
I've heard about music therapy but don't know if it's right for my child. What should I look for?
If you have a child with a disability, you are likely actively looking for the best and most effective ways to help your child. Perhaps you’ve heard about music therapy in passing, or went to a conference presentation, or have been referred for services. With so many options on how to help your child, it is difficult to decide what you feel is the best route to take.
When considering music therapy, think of a few key factors first.
1) Is your child motivated by music?
2) Is your child more engaged when music is present?
3) Does your child accomplish tasks or transitions more easily when facilitated by music?
Simply “liking” music does not necessarily mean that music therapy will help your child in a functional way. However, if he or she is motivated by music to do things they may not otherwise do, then music therapy may be just what they need.
If you feel like music is an integral part of your child’s life, bring them in for an assessment! The goal of music therapy is to use music to target non-musical areas such as speech/language, cognition, and sensorimotor areas, and there’s no telling what your child may accomplish with the addition of this viable therapy!
How might music therapy benefit me or my child?
Music therapy can help with speech/language deficits, cognitive ability, motor functioning, or social skills (especially in individuals with Autism). A board-certified music therapist is trained to use music to facilitate the child’s progress.
A music therapist can also help parents better understand how to use music in the home to help in everyday tasks. Transition songs, for example, may make a tremendous difference in helping a child move from one activity to the next with minimized tantrums. Task analysis songs that go through steps of how to wash hands or brush teeth, may help a child more readily acquire the skill. The possibilities of how to use music in the home are endless!
What are your qualifications?
Music therapy services are provided by Board Certified Music Therapists. The credential, Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC), is granted by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to identify music therapists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice at the current level of the profession. Board Certified Music Therapists have completed at least an undergraduate degree or its equivalence in music therapy from an approved program, completed an internship of at least 1040 hours, passed the Board Certification exam and comply with continuing education requirements.
Do you offer group or individual sessions?
We offer individual sessions on a continuous basis.
We also offer group sessions, however they are dependent on whether we have another child with similar needs and age range to pair with your child.
If we do not have a current group placement we will add you to our waiting list and contact you when an opportunity arises. In the meantime many clients will come in for a trial session so we can get to know your child, and some even proceed with individual sessions until a group is available.
What age range do you work with?
We work with individuals with special needs and mental health challenges from age 6 months to 60+
There is no limit!
Questions from Businesses
What type of services do you provide?
We provide both group and individual music therapy services based on the needs of the clients and facility. We also provide consultation as needed in order to help other service providers develop understanding of how to use music with patients/clients throughout the week.
Will we need to purchase instruments if we start a program?
All of our therapists have their own instruments. However if you are interested in long term services it may be in your best interest to develop a purchasing budget in order to have supplies on hand for sessions and throughout the week. The benefit for you is that your staff may have access to some of the instruments throughout the week in order to help patients/clients apply and generalize skills learned during therapy. This should be done after consultation with the music therapist.
How long are group and individual sessions?
Our groups can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes, with the most popular option being a 60 minute group.
Individual sessions can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on the population, scheduling, and individual needs. In some cases we may even pull an individual for a short 15 minute session depending on their level of need and the types of goals we’re addressing.
What are your rates?
Our rates vary based on the type of service. Please reference our music therapy pricing guide for more information.
*Rates may be flexible based on the needs of the facility.
Do you offer discounted rates for back to back services?
Yes. In many cases we are able to lower the overall cost of sessions if we have 2 or more sessions back to back at your facility.
Do you contract out your services?
One of the nice things about bringing on music therapy with a private music therapy practice is that you can customize your contract for as many hours as you need for your facility. Whether that means 2 sessions per month or 20 hours per week, we will work with you to find the best fit for your company.
What are your qualifications?
Music therapy services are provided by Board Certified Music Therapists. The credential, Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC), is granted by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to identify music therapists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice at the current level of the profession. Board Certified Music Therapists have completed at least an undergraduate degree or its equivalence in music therapy from an approved program, completed an internship of at least 1040 hours, passed the Board Certification exam and comply with continuing education requirements.