Methodology

At Austin Music Therapy we create an individualized treatment plan for our clients and support a scientific approach of practice by incorporating the following treatment model (Thaut, 2000) to facilitate functional outcomes:

• Diagnostic and functional assessment of the patient

• Development of therapeutic goals/objectives

• Design of functional, non-musical therapeutic exercises and stimuli

• Translate step 3 into functional, therapeutic music experiences

• Transfer of therapeutic learning to real-world applications

Thaut, M.H. (2000). A scientific model of music in therapy and medicine. San Antonio: IMR.

Austin Music Therapy offers Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) applications as part of the treatment process. NMT is defined as the “therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory and motor dysfunctions…” Thaut, M. (1999). Training manual for neurologic music therapy. In addition to music therapy training, neurologic music therapists are educated in the areas of neuroanatomy/physiology, brain pathologies, medical terminology and rehabilitation of cognitive and/or motor functions.

Therapeutic Music Experiences

Music therapy sessions are interactive and involve the client in active music making. As a trained musician of multiple instruments, the therapist is knowledgeable in how to guide each client in utilizing instruments purposefully and therapeutically. Our clients do not need any previous musical training in order to participate and benefit from sessions.