When is the time to try “music therapy”? Whether you’ve heard about it online or through word of mouth, read about it, or know someone who practices music therapy, you may have wondered when it is appropriate to consult a music therapist. To help answer this question, I’ve identified several cases when consulting a music therapist might be a good option:
- To promote your child’s goals and treatment. Music therapists work on goals addressing a variety of domains that align with an Individualized Education Plan. Music therapists collaborate with others on the treatment team to supplement other therapies, reinforce skills through music, and address goals in an innovative way to facilitate success.
- When your facility’s patient satisfaction is low. Research has shown that music therapy increases patient satisfaction scores. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (“HCAHPS”) measures patients’ perspectives of their hospital stay. HCAHPS is a public record comparing hospitals to one another. Music therapy is a medium that can improve or increase patient satisfaction scores for your facility.
- To stand out among the competition in a cost-effective way. Music therapy is an impactful tool when advertising services to prospective clients or patients. An individual may choose a long term care facility based on quality of care, and music therapy is a unique service to provide to patients. Music therapy is also a non-pharmaceutical intervention to decrease agitation and wandering, increase relaxation, and elevate mood. Replacing medications with a music therapist results in a decrease in pharmaceutical costs and the chance of side effects.
- To make your facility top notch. The results are in- the best children’s hospitals provide music therapy. Click here for more information on this wonderful correlation.
- When you want to promote your child’s growth and development. Music therapists provide services to children of all ages. Children learn and grow through different types of play. Music therapy provides children of all abilities to engage in musical play, to learn through music concepts, and to address academic and cognitive skills.
- When you want to provide the best quality service for your child, family member, or patient(s). Board certified music therapists use the medium of music to serve a variety of ages, functioning levels, and populations. Music therapists are trained extensively to adapt interventions and to meet clients where they are. Board certified music therapists are also required to continue their education and stay up to date with the latest research in the field.
If any of the above scenarios apply to you, then the time to consult a music therapist is now! Find a therapist near you here and inquire about an in-service or a trial to witness how music therapy can benefit you or your program.
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