Music Therapy Clinic

Music Therapy Clinic at Marywood University

The Marywood Music Therapy Clinic, an integral component of the Music Therapy Program, is housed in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts and supported by the University. Both the therapy room and observation room are accessible to those with physical challenges.

Purpose

The purpose of the Music Therapy Clinic is two-fold; namely, to provide music therapy majors with an educational opportunity for hands-on one-on-one clinical experience under the supervision of a board-certified music therapist; and, secondly, as an outreach to those in the community with special needs. Approximately 16-20 clients are served weekly. Among them are individuals of all ages with a variety of challenges, e.g. mental and physical challenges, attention deficit disorders, cerebral-palsy, autism spectrum, closed head injuries, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Referral, Assessment, and Program Plan

Referrals are received from parents, health care professionals, agencies, doctors, teachers, social workers, speech pathologists, psychologists, and others. The supervising Board Certified Music Therapist completes the initial music therapy assessments and models the procedure for the student therapists while instructing them in the necessary documentation of responses.

Students are introduced to the criterion-referenced assessment, the IMCAP-ND (Individual Music Centered Profile for Neurodevelopmental Disorders). This is   "... a method for observing, listening, and rating musical emotional responses, cognition and perception, preferences, perceptual efficiency, and self-regulation in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders." (Carpente, IMCAP-ND)

The Marywood Music Therapy Clinic takes a humanistic, improvisational, bottom-up method of working with clients. Students learn to observe their clients' development based on how they relate to the music. Students then study their clients' individual differences, and how those differences impact their learning and relating. Lastly, the students learn how to use music to build a safe and nurturing environment in which clients can grow. The student therapists document each 30-minute session with both qualitative and quantitative data. This experience provides invaluable pre-internship training for prospective music therapists and also assists clients in meeting their goals.

Fees

Modest fees are charged for the initial assessment and for each music therapy session to defray operating costs. The students and supervisor are dedicated to making this experience a beneficial one for all concerned. 

Meet the Staff

Antoinette Morrison
Bio