Music therapy is an intervention method that uses music in all its forms to help a participant reach their pre-established goals. Music therapy calls upon a participant’s sensitivity and creativity and offers a non-verbal approach to facilitate expression. A participant can use musical and vocal improvisation, listen to pre-recorded or live music and compose songs or music to maintain or improve mental and physical health and/or work on personal growth.

A music therapist can choose from a variety of theoretical orientations to guide and structure her therapeutic work. Verbal exchanges are encouraged before or after a musical experience. A person can express what he or she is experiencing in his or her life and in the music therapy group setting. Combining musical and verbal expression allows a person to gain insight and facilitate personal transformation of his/her perceptions and behaviors.

Application: At Expression LaSalle, music therapy is used in a group or individual context for a short term duration. No prior musical experience is necessary.

Group Format: Music therapy groups are offered between the months of September and June once a week. During the two (2) hour sessions, participants are invited to share their musical preferences and to express themselves musically. The first hour of the group comprises a musical opening, a verbal check-in, musical experiences and verbal sharing. The second hour comprises a break, debriefing on the first part, additional musical experiences and a musical closure.

Individual Format: Individual sessions are one (1) hour in length and the objectives explored by the participant are specific to their needs. The average length of a rotation (series) of individual therapy is twenty (20) sessions and a member may participate in a maximum of three (3) non-consecutive rotations of therapy.