This page is designed to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding music therapy service delivery.
What occurs in a typical session?
There is no “typical” session because music therapy sessions are tailored to each client’s personal strengths, preferred music, and areas of need/therapeutic goals. While sessions may use similar instruments or interventions, an instrument may be used to meet a different need each time. Depending upon the interests and needs of the client, sessions may include one or more of the following: active music making, music listening, song lyric discussion, songwriting, and adaptive music learning. Music therapists receive extensive training prior to receiving certification which allows them to tailor and adapt the music, in the moment, making each session motivating, aesthetically pleasing, and most of all, successful.
How often do sessions occur? How long is each session?
Service frequency and duration are discussed and evaluated after the first three visits. For clients who are working towards gaining new skills, the frequency may be more consistent such as 1x weekly for 45 minutes.
Do we need to schedule our next visit each week?
No. LIH believes in consistency and structure and thus, we do our absolute best to assign a time with a client/family that will work as a set time for that individual. This helps the client as well as the person(s) involved in transporting to the appointment to “lock in” this time in their schedule and plan for this time weekly. We find that this decreases forgotten or missed appointments and it also allows for clients to settle in to a weekly routine around various other appointments, events, sports, etc. While we do try our very best to find an ongoing time that works best for all clients and our staff, we do at times need to begin with a time that may be less ideal and work toward finding a time that may work best in the schedule for families. There are also periodic schedule conflicts due to client needs or staffing needs. In these situations, we do try our very best to keep the visit as consistent as possible (on the same day with another team member) or on a different day of the week (with the same therapist or different team member). We understand that schedules may change during the school year compared to summer; thus, we do check in with families periodically during the year to assure that we are best meeting their needs with the availability we can offer.
When are sessions scheduled?
Clients individual or small group sessions will be scheduled as a standing appointment time, Monday – Saturday, during our hours of availability. It is very important to note that a client’s funding source for services may impact when a session can occur. For example, children receiving services through the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver cannot receive services during the scheduled school day, unless there is a scheduled early-release OR the child has an altered school schedule indicated on his/her IEP. A child receiving services through private pay means is available to come at anytime the family feels is appropriate for the child. We try our best to reserve our later afternoon/early evening and Saturday morning appointment times for individuals who attend school on a regular basis.
Where do sessions take place?
Services are conducted at LIH’s clinic space, on the Songbird Express Mobile Music Therapy Studio, in clients’ homes/place of residence, as well as at other facilities in the community. The following items are taken into account when determining which location is best: 1) What location will allow the client be the most focused and successful?, 2) Are there clinical needs for a client to be seen at a specific location?, 3) What location will provide the most consistent attendance? We strongly encourage clients to first try our clinic location as we feel it provides a controlled, structured, and therapeutic environment free of distractions such as pets, tv, food, etc. that may be more readily available in a residential setting. Our clinic is equipped with a wide variety of instruments (some very large that are not able to be transported out in the community), visuals/manipulatives, and space to target body awareness and motor needs. If we travel into the community, each therapist has a suitcase or travel bag full of various instruments and special request items can be brought as needed. The Songbird Express is used to provide a clinic-based service in more rural communities; however, our team does use this more locally at times to maximize outcomes of individuals who are not able to attend sessions at our clinic space but do not have a location at their home that is best suited for progress.
Can you come to my child’s daycare or school?
If a daycare allows outside providers in then we are open to exploring this as a schedule option. If a school-aged child is referred for services and services are funded by a state-based program, we are not allowed to see him/her at school, nor are we allowed to see him/her during regular school hours (when scheduled) at our facility. While we very rarely see children during the school day (on-site), we do have some local schools where we provide services to a specific child on-site during an “after care” program, such as “Surround Care.”
Can music therapy be included on an IEP?
In 2000, the Director of Special Education Programs (Kenneth Warlick) confirmed that music therapy is a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This means that music therapy is considered to be a related service; however, the child’s IEP team must determine that there is a need for the service. It is helpful to identify specific ways in which you recognize music supporting your child and share this with the IEP team. LIH does not attend IEP meetings unless required due to being part of an IEP team.
What regions/physical locations does LIH cover?
LIH currently services clients from the following surrounding counties: Monroe, Jackson, Juneau, Trempealeau, Vernon, Crawford, Trempealeau, Winona (MN), and Houston (MN). You can find more about our locations here.
Do you provide in-services or tailored presentations?
Yes, please contact our office with information about your event and we will provide you with cost, availability, etc. We would be happy to tailor a presentation to your agency’s request.
Is your facility handicap accessible?
Yes! Our facility meets the ADA standards for accessibility.
Who receives services at LIH?
Music is a tool that can be modified to target various developmental milestones, adapted to meet individuals where they are psychosocially or physiologically, and tailored to support individuals during normal stages of the life cycle such as birth and death. LIH is a vendor with various counties and state programs and we also have private contracts with nursing homes and other organizations looking to incorporate music therapy programming or music enrichment services.
Where can I find more information about music therapy and how music therapy can help with specific populations?
For more information about visit the FAQ section of the American Music Therapy Association Website. This website also has a wonderful selection of fact sheets that provide information about music therapy for specific populations.