Music Therapy
We offer the following services through our Music Therapy program:
- Individual Music Therapy
- Group Music Therapy
- Adapted Music Lessons
- Specialty & Summer Camps
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a healthcare profession that utilizes music to meet a child’s unique needs. This evidence-based treatment helps children express their emotions, connect with others, and develop resilience. Additionally, music therapy can enhance cognitive functioning, speech development, and self-esteem.
How Can Music Therapy Help?
Music therapists work with individuals of all ages, including young children and adolescents. They tailor sessions to meet your child’s specific needs. In our music therapy sessions, your child’s accomplishments become stepping stones to a stronger sense of confidence and self-esteem. Whether it’s mastering a drumbeat, creating unique sounds, singing with abandon, or forming connections with a parent or therapist, each achievement contributes to a growing sense of capability and success.
Benefits of Music Therapy
Emotional Harmony
Music engages every emotion center in the brain, making it a powerful tool for honing emotional regulation skills. From using songs to unwind to expressing frustration through drumming, our music therapist guides your child in developing positive coping skills. Catchy tunes can incorporate strategies like counting to 10 or taking breaks, making emotional regulation a musical journey.
Refining Fine & Gross Motor Skills
Playing a drumstick, stomping feet to the beat, or delicately strumming guitar strings—all these activities in music therapy seamlessly integrate physical development. The inherent motivation of music turns these skill-building exercises into an enjoyable game, where your child is blissfully unaware of the effort put into enhancing motor skills.
Nurturing Social Skills
The inclusive atmosphere of music makes it an ideal arena for nurturing social skills, especially for those with special needs. Group play, taking turns, cooperative games, heightened awareness of others, and simple give-and-take naturally unfold during musical experiences. The music therapist can lay the foundation for social skills in one-on-one settings, eventually recommending group sessions for practical application.
Extending Attention Span
Children are naturally drawn to the enchanting world of music, and we leverage this interest to help them extend their attention span during our sessions. As their focus sharpens within the musical context, this newfound attention can positively impact their concentration in other areas of life.
Enhancing Communication
Music therapy makes communication goals an enjoyable and motivating pursuit. Whether through playing voice or wind instruments, singing, or engaging in communicative activities, your child can enhance articulation, breath control/support, vocabulary, and overall language development. Music serves as a natural motivator, encouraging the use of adapted communication systems like picture schedules or PECS, and promoting increased verbal communication.
Will Insurance Pay for Music Therapy?
Music therapy is considered out of network for all commercial plans. We are happy to verify your private insurance benefits and inquire about coverage for Music Therapy services based on your individual plan.
Medicaid does not cover music therapy services in the state of Georgia. Families who have the GA NOW/COMP waiver are able to use these funds towards music therapy services. Families may also apply for Family Supports Funding through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to help cover the cost of music therapy.
Families interested in applying for Family Supports Funding may do so through the following organization:
B & B Care Services, Inc./ 912) 754-0817/ https://www.bandbcare.com/family-support
For more information regarding DBHDD Family Supports Funding, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services
Chatterbox also offers private pay options, including discounted session packages. Please call our billing office at 912-988-1526 for more information.