Music Therapy
Music has the power to foster social skills, improve speech and language delays, elicit emotions and allow for connection. Private and Group options available. Reach out and we will support you in learning more about our Music Therapy program in North Edmonton and St. Albert.
Music Therapy For Special Needs
These sessions may focus on the following needs, determined based on the needs of the specific individual or group:
Speech and Language
• Formation of words and sounds
• The flow of speech and sentences
• Slurred or mumbled speech
• Rate of speech
Social Skills
• Making and maintaining eye contact
• Having reciprocal conversations with peers
• Turn Taking
• Increasing appropriate social interaction
• Interpreting social cues from peers
• Making and maintaining friendships
Fine and Gross Motor Development
• Hand-eye coordination
• Manipulating and gripping objects
• Performing various movements with the body (walking, jumping, climbing)
• Gait training
Other
• Building self-confidence and self esteem
• Emotional regulation
• Experiencing meaningful musical experiences in an inclusive environment
Music Therapy For Children With Autism
These music therapy sessions will focus on the needs of individuals with autism. Some of those need areas may include:
• Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds and smells
• Adapting to changes in routine
• Supporting speech or delayed language development
• Decreasing repetition of words, phrases, or behaviours
• Making and maintaining friendships
• Recognizing social cues, or others’ thoughts or feelings, and maintaining eye contact
** Individuals with autism may enroll in the autism specific or special needs music therapy sessions, depending on where the child will find the most success
Music Therapy For Mental Health & Wellness
These sessions may focus on the following needs, determined based on the needs of the specific individual or group:
• Building self-confidence and self esteem
• Emotional regulation
• Processing feelings and emotions
• Physical movement and wellness
• Relaxation and calming the mind and body
• Experiencing meaningful musical experiences in an inclusive environment
HOW DOES MUSIC THERAPY WORK?
Music therapy has the power to foster social skills, improve speech and language delays, elicit emotions, and allow for connection. Music therapy is the use of music to achieve therapeutic goals in the various stages and phases of an individual’s life. Music therapy sessions may include
singing, instrument playing, movement to music, dancing, song writing and poetry, and verbal dialogue in response to music. Utilization of these tools will be dependent upon the therapeutic needs of each individual client. Music therapy can now be found in a variety of settings such as
long-term care homes, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and in private home visits. Accredited Music Therapists require a minimum bachelor’s degree, 1000-hour internship, as well as passing a board certification exam.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
To create goals a music therapist will first assess a client and then will create a treatment plan based on each individual and their specific needs. Music therapy can address a wide variety of needs. For example, a goal in the social domain may include appropriate communication with
peers or improving interaction abilities. A music therapist may use music to help improve memory and attention to tasks and increase the ability to identify and express emotions. Music therapy can also be used to decrease pain and aid in motor skills and mobility. Best of all, music
therapy requires no musical ability or training to receive its benefit.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
At Dominelli School of Music, we offer private and group music therapy sessions online, in home, or in studio. A private music therapy session can offer a space for a client to create trust and familiarity with a therapist and to work on goals one on one. Group music therapy sessions can
allow clients to create bonds, receive encouragement, and build community and connection.
Most music therapy visits are either 30 or 60 minutes in length and can be online or in-person at Dominelli Music North Edmonton or St. Albert.
Sessions can be set up for an individual or in a group setting. For private music therapy sessions the fee is $100 per hour or $50 per half hour. Dominelli Music also has a full group Music Therapy schedule that begins every 12 weeks. You can also build-a-group class where you can create a music therapy session for friends, family, or anyone in your bubble and that cost is $28 per 30 minute session.
Before your session we will connect you with our Registered Music Therapist who will provide you with all documents and information to prepare for your first session.
WHO IS THE MUSIC THERAPIST?
Melissa is a Certified Music Therapist. She has a Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree from Capilano University and is a member of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and the Music Therapy Association for Alberta. Melissa Is currently working on her
Master’s of Counselling Psychology Degree through Yorkville University.
Melissa believes in a client-centred and family-centred approach to therapy. She meets clients where they are at and includes them and their caregivers in the therapeutic process. She has provided music therapy to a wide variety of clients in seniors care homes, schools, rehabilitation facilities, private client homes, music studios and through virtual sessions.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Private music therapy is $52.50 per half hour session, $105 per hour long session or $30 per half hour session to build your own group (2 clients minimum). Sessions can be booked on a drop in, weekly, bi-weekly or any other basis that works well for the client and Music Therapist. **In home lessons available.