As part of the treatment planning process, music therapists create goals and objectives tailored to each individual’s or group’s needs such as:

• Psychological needs - addressing mental health concerns, self-expression, identity, self-confidence, coping strategies, managing stress

• Social and emotional skills - improving social interaction and engagement, social boundaries, self-regulatory skills, attention to task, speech, language, and communication skills

• Physical needs - improving fine or gross motor skills, range of motion, and reducing perceived levels of pain, nausea, and discomfort

• Academic learning - teaching necessary developmental and academic skills

• Cognitive needs - enhancing memory, improving cognitive functioning and mental well-being

• Spiritual needs - improving quality of life, finding meaning, offering support during life crises, and end of life care

Music therapy can be beneficial to anyone with an interest in music and personal growth. Our therapist at Wisconsin Dynamic Music Therapy has experience working with both verbal and nonverbal individuals from ages two to one hundred with a variety of diagnosis including dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, attention deficit disorders, autism, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, learning and intellectual disabilities, and genetic disorders.

Each session is as unique as the individual client. The main methods that music therapists draw from are compositional, improvisational, re-creative, and receptive.

Compositional methods involve clients writing songs, lyrics, or improvisational pieces with the help of a music therapist. This can also include creating other types of musical products such as recordings or videos.

Improvisational methods involve the client and/or therapist making up music on the spot through playing or singing.

Re-creative methods involve a client learning, singing, playing, or performing a pre-written musical piece.

Receptive methods involve a client listening to music and responding verbally, silently, physically, or in another manner.

As part of the music therapy treatment process, board-certified music therapists are required to conduct assessments, set individualized goals and objectives, document progress, re-evaluate, and communicate with other members of an individual’s care team.

Wisconsin Dynamic Music Therapy currently accepts payment through private pay, facility contracts, and Child Long-Term Support (CLTS) waiver funding. We do not accept insurance. For more information on how to become eligible for CLTS funding please follow the link below:

Children's Long-Term Support: Program Overview

Not at all! Music can be beneficial to anyone regardless of past experiences or abilities. However you or your loved one engages with music, whether that is listening, moving, creating, playing, or singing, music therapy may aid in reaching your goals.

Music preferences are as unique to each individual as their backgrounds, experiences, interests, appearances, and tastes are. Music therapy research recommends using each client’s preferred genres and types of music for the greatest benefit.

Music Therapist-Board Certified. This certification is given to individuals by the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT) upon completion of the music therapy board exam. CBMT is the organization that certifies music therapists to practice in the United States.

A board certified music therapist must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved college or university program. In addition to academic coursework, a bachelor’s degree in music therapy requires 1,200 hours of clinical training, including a supervised internship. Upon completion of a music therapy program, music therapists must pass the national board certification exam to obtain the credential, MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified), which is required for professional practice. Some states, Wisconsin included, require additional state licensing. Graduate level programs focus on advanced clinical practice and research. In order to maintain board certification, music therapists must complete at least 100 hours of continued education every five years.

Music therapists work in a variety of settings including in-home, schools, long-term care facilities, hospice and palliative care programs, hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, group homes, psychiatric hospitals, day programs, and correctional facilities.

Wisconsin Dynamic Music Therapy’s therapist has experience working with hospice agencies, in day program settings, in-home, and in long term care settings such as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.