Lincoln Music Therapy Services
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Your most experienced contracting music therapist in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Call Now (402) 430-0430
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about music therapy services. Your questions can also be answered by scheduling a consultation.
What is music therapy?
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Music therapy is the prescribed use of music to facilitate goal areas in cognitive, physical, speech and language, social, and behavioral domains. It is the music which facilitates these goals (notice the goals themselves are nonmusical). Only a professional music therapist has the education and training to skillfully and safely implement music therapy.
What is the education and training of a music therapist?
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The entry level requirement to practice music therapy is a minimum of a bachelor's degree in music therapy from a university accredited by the American Music Therapy Association. A six-month internship is also required for the entry-level degree. Both master's and doctorate programs are available as well.
We already access other therapies. What is the unique benefit of music therapy?
You already know that music is liked by most children and adults. You have probably noticed that music is motivating. What you might not know is that music works at a neurological level as well. In fact, musical centers are found throughout the brain and most importantly share networks with nonmusical functioning such as speech, motor, and emotions. We can use music as a bridge when an area of the brain is damaged or not functioning correctly and make a new pathway. Music optimizes brain function and helps other therapies work better!
Who can benefit from music therapy?
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Music therapy is not just for young children or older adults. All ages and most diagnoses can benefit from music therapy services. At the beginning of the music therapy process the client will be screened for appropriateness for services. If services are funded through insurance, I must prove medical necessity. Just because a client likes music does not mean they are appropriate for services. There must be both a need for additional services AND a proven, improved response when music is facilitated in therapy.
What does music therapy cost and what if I cannot afford it?
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Music therapy services cost an average of $50-75/hour. My current rate is $60/hour. In general, most clients are seen on a weekly basis for 45-60 minutes. Typically, clients receive services weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Your music therapist will discuss your individual resources with you to help you fund music therapy services.