Frequently Asked Questions

No. While music listening can be part of a session, music therapy involves much more than listening to music. A music therapist uses music intentionally and therapeutically to support specific goals and needs.

No. While adapted music lessons could be provided to clients upon consultation, music education/lessons focus primarily on developing musical knowledge and skills. Music therapy, however, uses music as a therapeutic tool to address non-musical goals and support a person's overall functioning and well-being.

Not at all! You do not need to sing well at all, play an instrument, or have any previous musical experience. While generally enjoying music helps to maintain/increase your motivation, music therapy is about the therapeutic process- not about musical performance. 

Session lengths are determined primarily according to the client's age and attention span. Typically, sessions are either 30 mins., 45 mins., or 60 mins. long. 

Session frequency is primarily the choice of the client or their guardian/caretaker. Typically, sessions occur twice a week (for young children), weekly, or bi-weekly.  

Sessions location is determined by the client or their guardian/caretaker, whether home, schools, hospital/clinic rooms, etc. For schools and medical facilitaties, the establishment should be contacted and informed and agree to the music therapy session taking place there. 

Session day/s and time/s are determined based on the client's or guardian/caretaker's preference and the music therapist's availability. 

Follow these steps to get started with music therapy services:

1. Complete the contact form.

2. Wait for a phone or email response, depending on your preference selected in the form.

3. Speak with the music therapist to help in confirming the individual's needs, strengths, preferences, and goals. 

4. Provide your preferences for session location, day, and time. 

5. Complete and return any intake, consent, and confidentiality forms sent to you. 

6. Confirm how the sessions will be paid for. 

7. About 1-2 days before the session, the music therapist will contact you again to confirm the session. Kindly confirm that the session will occur as scheduled or if there needs to be a time or location change. 

No. Music can certainly be enjoyable, but music therapy is a clinical and goal-directed service. Music is selected and used intentionally to support therapeutic outcomes rather than simply to entertain.

No. Music therapy is a complementary therapeutic service and is not intended to replace medical care, psychological treatment, or other professional services that an individual may need.

Yes. Music therapy can be collaborated with other therapies, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, counseling, social work, education, nursing, and other supports when appropriate.

There is no single type of music used in music therapy. Music may include junkanoo, rake n' scrape, pop, RnB, reggae, soca, etc. - whatever style of music the individual prefers. Songs can be live (sung by the music therapist) or recorded (original/remix recordings). 

A variety of percussive and non-percussive can be used in sessions, for example drums, xylophone, keyboard, tambourines, maracas, cabasa, guiros, egg shakers, wrist bells, boomwhatckers, ukulele, electronic instruments, just to name a few. 

The best way to determine whether music therapy may be appropriate is to discuss the individual's needs and goals with the music therapist who can help assess whether music therapy may be a suitable service and what approach may be most appropriate.