Music Therapy

Music Therapists:

Aaron Teague

Cindy Tate

At the Harper School, we believe that music therapy is the art of music scientifically applied by a music therapist to meet the needs and promote the strengths of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as "the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program" (AMTA, www.musictherapy.org). The key difference between music therapy and other therapies is the use of music and its components as the means to address non-musical goals.

Goals can include motor skills and physical functioning, self-care skills, cognitive and intellectual abilities, speech and communication, socialization, mood, and spirituality.

Who can benefit from music therapy?
Music therapy can be beneficial for many people including:
People who have mental health needs
Children or adults with developmental disabilities
Older adults who are diagnosed with dementias
People with substance abuse problems
People who have experienced brain injuries including stroke
People with physical disabilities
People at the end of life
People with chronic illnesses
People desiring support in their general wellness, e.g. team development, rehabilitation

Examples of music therapy services include: helping a child with cerebral palsy develop mobility; developing a method of communication through music for a child with severe developmental delays; using music to support the process of dying and to promote reconciliation of family members prior to death; developing and enhancing socialization skills for people in assisted living or nursing facilities; or stimulating the mental abilities of a person with brain injury to improve communication or mobility.

Music Therapists at the Harper School
Aaron Teague is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) with over five years of music therapy experience.

Cindy Tate is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).