May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are taking the time this month to learn about different types of therapy and ways that we can improve our mental wellness.
We chatted with Rachel Rambach, Founder/Co-Owner of Music Therapy Connections in Springfield, Illinois to learn more about Music Therapy and how it helps those who have mental health or other wellness struggles.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses.
Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
- promote wellness
- manage stress
- alleviate pain
- express feelings
- enhance memory
- improve communication
- promote physical rehabilitation
How does Music Therapy benefit those struggling with mental health?
Music therapy is individually tailored to address the concerns, goals and objectives of each individual client. For those struggling with mental health, music therapy can help increase self-esteem, decrease negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and introduce stress management interventions. Music therapy approaches may include songwriting, music listening, music-making, improvisation, lyric analysis, guided meditation, relaxation and more.
Can you tell us a little bit about Music Therapy Connections?
Music Therapy Connections provides individual and group music therapy, music enrichment classes, and both traditional and adapted piano, voice, guitar and ukulele lessons for people of all ages and abilities. Our studio is located in Springfield, Illinois, though we serve the greater Central Illinois communities.
What kind of programs does Music Therapy Connections offer?
In our Springfield location, we offer individual music therapy services, private lessons (piano, voice, guitar, ukulele), and adaptive lessons for individuals with special needs. Additionally, we offer group music enrichment classes for families, young children, and elementary-aged students. In the Central Illinois community, we provide both group and individual music therapy services at a variety of schools, facilities, and centers serving many different populations.
What is the age range of your programs?
We work with people of all ages! Children as young as one month old attend our family music enrichment classes, and from there, ages span all the way up to 100 years old in some of our older adult programs.
What schooling is required for a Music Therapist?
In order to become a board-certified music therapist, candidates must complete an AMTA-approved undergraduate or graduate program. At the completion of academic training and a 6-month internship, candidates are eligible for admission to the certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, Inc. Upon passing the national examination administered by the CBMT, the student acquires the credential Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).
