FAQ

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

According to the American Music Therapy Association (2019), “music therapy is 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.”

Music therapy utilizes music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. A board-certified music therapist will assess a client’s strengths and needs and then formulate a treatment plan that may involve creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through participation in the musical setting, clients are able to strengthen their abilities and generalize them to environments outside of the music therapy session.

Who benefits from music therapy?

Everyone! Music therapists are trained to work with individuals across the lifespan and with a variety of diagnoses.

Strength in Unison, LLC specializes in working with individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Lowe Syndrome, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and anxiety.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MUSIC THERAPY?

In your first session, the music therapist will assess a variety of domains such as emotional and physical health, social and communication skills, and cognitive abilities through music. Then, the music therapist will design personalized, evidence-based music therapy interventions to address the client’s needs. Interventions might include music improvisation, active music listening, writing songs, lyric discussions, music relaxation, learning and performing music, as well as learning through music.

How do you know what music to use?

All music used in sessions will be based on an individual’s personal preferences.

Who is qualified to be a music therapist?

Music therapists must complete a degree or graduate equivalency in music therapy as well as practica and an internship prior to being eligible to sit for the national board certification exam which is administered by The Certification Board for Music Therapists. Once someone passes the exam, they earn the Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) credential and are able to practice music therapy.

does my insurance cover music therapy?

As per the American Music Therapy Association (2019):

The number of success stories involving third party reimbursement for the provision of music therapy services continues to grow as more clinicians seek this coverage.  In response to the increasing demand, the music therapy profession has worked to facilitate the reimbursement process for clients of music therapy services.

The American Music Therapy Association now estimates that approximately 20% of music therapists receive third party reimbursement for the services they provide.

“Music therapy is comparable to other allied health professions like occupational therapy and physical therapy in that individual assessments are provided for each client, service must be found reasonable and necessary for the individual’s illness or injury and interventions include a goal-directed documented treatment plan.

Companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Aetna have all paid for music therapy services at some time.  Success has occurred on a case-by-case basis when the therapist implements steps within the reimbursement process. Like other therapies, music therapy is reimbursable when services are pre-approved and deemed medically or behaviorally necessary to reach the individual patient's treatment goals.”

NOTE: Strength in Unison, LLC is an approved CLTS Waiver provider in Dane County. If your child is on this waiver, talk to your case manager about sending us a referral for services.

I have a question that wasn’t answered here - can you help me?

Absolutely! Please send us an email at alyssa@strengthinunison.com or give us a call at (407)403-2278 and we will do our best to answer your question or direct you to someone that can!