What happens in a music therapy session?
For the first 1-2 sessions, an assessment is conducted. The client is observed for means of communication, fine and gross motor skills, ways of interacting with peers and adults, and cognitive abilities. This includes input from the parent or guardian about the client’s goals in other therapies. From this document, goals are written that reflect the client’s needs, incorporating his/her musical interests and abilities. Goals are pursued for four to five months, unless the goal is fulfilled before that time, and progress reports are written twice a year. Music therapy sessions are individually tailored, but there are similarities in most sessions. A typical music therapy session involves three components: Movement to music, with the hello song, begins the session. Movement, especially to rhythm, organizes the bodily systems and prepares the client for the activities to follow. It gives the client the opportunity to become engaged in the world around them with greater awareness and to be
