What Is Music Therapy?
Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT) defines Music therapy as “the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.” (www.musictherapy.ca) Music is a non threatening expressive agent that allows people to explore their emotions, lives and relationship through creative experience. Also, because of its engaging nature and because it’s simply fun, music can be used as a “reinforce” for desired responses.
Examples of Music Therapy goals:
Because music is fun, music is effective in motivating and engaging individuals with special needs to meet academic, social, and/or physical goals in fun and positive way.
The examples of music therapy goals include, but are not limited to:
- To provide a safe environment for self-expression and choice-making
- To provide opportunities to release stress physically and emotionally through singing, drumming and the use of other instruments
- To facilitate communication
- To develop/improve social skills
- To help acquire/retain academic information
- To increase attention span
- To improve fine and gross motor skills through the use of musical instruments
- To encourage relaxation and calming
- To reduce feelings of isolation
*It’s important to note that music therapy is NOT the same as musical instruction. If the main goal is to build vocal or instrumental skills, you’ll need to find an instructor instead of or in addition to a music therapist.
>>Also Offering Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music
What is Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM)?
Association for Music and Imagery defines BMGIM as follows:
“The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music is a music-centred, consciousness-expanding therapy developed by Helen Bonny. Therapists trained in the Bonny Method choose classical music sequences that stimulate journeys of the imagination. Experiencing imagery in this way facilitates clients’ integration of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of well-being. “
BMGIM incorporates music listening in deeply relaxed state to evoke imagery that allows a client to access and explore life issues, and is used to help clients with wide range of life issues and emotional difficulties, including stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, etc. Images in response to music are not limited to visual images, but come in a variety forms, including, sensations, feelings, past memories, past and present life reviews, symbols, etc.
A typical individual session lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.
Group sessions are also available.
Are there ways to cover the cost of music therapy sessions?
Music therapy is not usually covered by health care and extended health care plans. There are some exceptions, such as Worksafe BC, ICBC and funding for autism.
FUNDING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Autism Funding from the BC Ministry of Children & Family Development
Autism funding helps pay for eligible services or supports that promote skill development for children living with autism.
Apply for Funding
- Applying for funding is a four-step process.
You can find the full details for each step on the BC Ministry for Children & Family Development website.
Manage your funding online with My Family Services
- Get a diagnostic assessment
- Meet with a Children & Youth with Special Needs Worker
- Sign the funding agreement
- Hire service providers like CW Music Ltd.
Funding Amount
For children aged 6 to 18, up to $6,000 per year for each child can be used for Music Therapy or Behaviour Intervention.
To choose CW Music Ltd. as your service provider:
Complete a Request to Pay (RTP) Services Providers Form
CW Music Ltd. will invoice the Ministry directly for payment each month
Funding for Head Injury
Some individuals with a head injury can apply for funding through ICBC if they can show pre-morbidity musical involvement.
Other possible sources of funding
Some special needs children may apply for funding through adoption services, and Variety Club and CKNW have been known to fund music therapy, as well. Clients and families usually complete these applications.