An Introduction to Music

Therapy

PRESENTED BY: COURTNEY RADBROUNE, BMT, MTA

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
 OVERVIEW

Introductions: Courtney Radbourne, BMT, MTA

What is Music Therapy?
Becoming an Accredited Music Therapist
What do Music Therapists Do?
Where do Music Therapists Work?
Benefits of Music Therapy in: Mental Health, Geriatrics,
Stroke Victims, and with Children
Music Therapy Techniques
Music Therapy Session Example: Song Writing Focus
Summary and Questions
Resources
Thank You!
 INTRODUCTIONS

 Courtney Radbourne, BMT, MTA

 From: originally from Stittsville, currently residing in Kanata
 Education: Attended Acadia University – 4 year Bachelor of
Music Therapy Degree
 Degree Focus: Intensive course load that concentrated on
both music, psychology, and clinical experience
 Completed 1000 hour Music Therapy Internship- June 2007
with the Music Therapists of Lanark Area- private practice
 Achieved MTA (Music Therapist Accredited) Status in March
2009
 Started her own private practice this year “The Healing Song”
 WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

Music therapy is a medium for change. It helps the

client re-connect with themselves and forms a
healing relationship with the music therapist. This
relationship is created and enhanced through the use
of music and musical elements. It takes one’s mental,
emotional, physical, and spiritual health into
account. Goals and Objectives are created and
designed to concentrate on each person’s needs and
developmental area of focus.
 BECOMING AN ACCREDIDTED MUSIC THERAPIST

● To become an accredited music therapist in Canada

by the Canadian Association for Music Therapy,
requires a four year Bachelor of Music Therapy
degree, or 2 year Certificate Program degree from a
recognized institution of study.
● A 1000 hour internship must be completed upon
graduating from an institution. The end result of the
internship is peer review of ones work before
accreditation is granted
 WHAT DO MUSIC THERAPISTS DO?

● Within clinical planning, music therapists’ assess,

evaluate, research to implement a variety of activities
that involve that are based on needs of the client(s):
receptive music listening, lyric discussion, imagery
and music, rhythmic movement, music performance,
song writing and composition, singing and
instrument playing, as well as vocal/instrumental
improvisation. 
● Skillful purpose
WHERE DO MUSIC THERAPISTS WORK?

 Medical and Psychiatric Hospitals

 Rehabilitative Facilities
 Out patients clinics
 Day Care Centres
 Agencies serving developmentally disabled persons
 Community mental health centres
 Drug and Alcohol Programs
 Long Term Care Facilities
 Correctional Facilities
 Halfway Houses
 Schools
 Hospice Programs
 Privately

Music Therapy has the adaptive ability to work with all ages, physical and cognitive
abilities, there is no musical training required.
 BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY IN
MENTAL HEALTH
 Can be used in a wide range of treatment programs due to its flexibility
 Increases concentration
 Increases relaxation
 Increases socialization and awareness of others
 Creates a diversion from neurotic concerns or obsessions
 Music can evoke thoughts and feelings that allow us to become more aware and
connected to ourselves and our environment
 It can help to test ones perceptions in supportive environment
 Problem solving skills develop
 Creates an uplifting mood experience
 It can increase motivation to cope with life situations
 Appropriate and successful involvement in a group activity
 Offers structure
 Appropriate use of leisure time
 Group/one-to-one session settings
 BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY IN
GERATRICS
 Works both sides of the brain
 Improves memory and concentration
 Maintains and restores cognitive function
 Maintains and restores Gross and Fine Motor function
 Orients in the here and now
 Increases socialization
 Offers choice
 Increases self-esteem
 Aids in communication and self-expression both verbally and
non-verbally
 Creates opportunities for leadership roles and turn taking
 Creates an awareness of the self and others
 Increases physical fitness
 One-to-one and group session settings
 BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY WITH STROKE
VICTIMS

Re-store and maintain communication abilities both

verbally and non-verbally
Aids in gate and motor ability training
Works both sides of the brain
Aids in speech development
Offers choice and normality
Motivates through positive experience
Outlet for self-expression
Promotes relaxation
Increases socialization
One-to-one and group session settings
Offers choice
 BENEFITS OF MUSIC THERAPY WITH
CHILDREN
 Behaviour modification
 Orient in the here and now, weather conditions
 Is able to aid in speech development
 Increases communication skills
 Increases self-esteem
 Develops fine and gross motor abilities
 Opportunity to learn an instrument
 Opportunity for leadership roles and turn taking when in a group setting
 Can assist children in learning how to brush their teeth, how to cover their
mouths when coughing, and what foods they should eat through directive
songs.
 Increases physical fitness
 Provides an outlet for creativity
 Increases self-expression and communication both verbally and non
verbally
 Offers choice
 MUSIC THERAPY TECHNIQUES

Music Listening
Lyric Discussion
Relaxation Techniques
Song Writing
Improvisation
Singing and Playing Instruments
Recording
Music and Movement
 MUSIC THERAPY SESSION EXAMPLE

● “Hello Song”

Song Writing:
“She’ll Be Comin’ Around the Mountain”- (adding
lyrics/improvising)
Appropriate for Geriatrics, Stroke Victims, and Children

Song written from a familiar melody- “Garden Street

Site” melody of “House of the Rising Sun”
Appropriate for Mental Health and Stroke Victims
“Good-bye Song”
 Garden Street Site

 Explain the process

 Am C D F, Am C E7 x2

 There is a place in Brockville, they call the Garden Street Site, And its been
the saviour of many a poor soul dear God I know I am one

 Now I am just a poor girl, I have an unfortunate tale I used to have my

freedom, down in old Brockville

 I had a house and job and a car, I could travel down the road, my freedom
was so wonderful, I could even scratch my nose

 My life has been a slippery slope, I fell so very fast, one day I was feeding
myself the next I was being fed

 Those around me don’t get me here, as I lay in this hospital bed, I’m
desperate to find my way out of here but it rests in God’s hands
 SUMMARY

Music Therapy does not require any previous musical

training
It is flexible and adaptable to all ages, abilities, and
backgrounds-music touches us all
It offers choice to those participating in sessions
There is skilful purpose
Music Therapy can occur in a variety of settings
One-to-one and group session settings are offered
It enhances the quality of life
It brings about a positive change in people
Are there any questions or comments?
 MUSIC THERAPY RESOURCES

Canadian Association for Music Therapy website:

http://www.musictherapy.ca

American Association for Music Therapy website:

http://www.musictherapy.org

Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy website:

http://www.voices.no
 THANK YOU!

The Healing Song

Music Therapy Services
“A Voice for Everyone”

Courtney Radbourne, BMT, MTA

(613) 325-1661
courtney.radbourne@gmail.com
www.thehealingsong.ca

Thank you for your ears!