Why Music Therapy?
Consistent, ongoing music therapy has many benefits and often produces amazing results including:
- Enhanced memory and recall, contributing to reminiscence and satisfaction with life
- Positive changes in mood and emotional states
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased or improved physical movement and circulation
- Decreased agitation and combativeness
- Alleviating or distracting from pain/discomfort
- Increased self-expression
- Supported rest and relaxation
- Improvement in cognitive functioning
- Increased sense of control over life through successful experiences
- Higher levels of awareness of self and environment
- Increased social interaction with other residents, family members and staff/caregivers
- Emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences
What training do music therapists have?
Music therapists complete a bachelor’s degree in music therapy which includes 1,200 clinical training hours. They must also pass a national board exam to earn the credentials MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified). Recertification is every 5 years which requires the completion of 100 CMTE (Continuing Music Therapy Education) credits. In Oregon, music therapists are required to register with the Health Licensing Office each year. These standards ensure that music therapists are certified to provide high quality and safe services to vulnerable populations. There are currently about 8,000 music therapists in the U.S.
How do Bridgetown’s digital MT services work?
Four Music Therapy (MT) video sessions will be provided each month. Clients will have access to each video for one week at a time (Monday through Sunday). After one week, the past video will no longer be available, and a new one will be released. In each calendar year, there will be four months with five Mondays. In these months, clients will have access to the fourth video for two weeks. The $150 monthly fee will remain the same, even for the months with extended access. Clients will have unlimited access to each video during the week. For example, a video session can be played multiple times throughout the week for many residents or groups at the same site. Clients should refer to our “Ideas for Use” and “Instrument Recommendations List” PDFs for ideas and training. Clients should also carefully read our Disclaimer.
