You can expect the first session to involve getting to know your music therapist, reviewing your intake and consent forms, and identifying your treatment goals. Parent(s)/guardian(s) attend the initial intake session without the child. Children ages 16 and older complete their own intake paperwork and may be present for their intake session.

Bringing up the idea of taking a child to a therapist can be overwhelming or confusing for parents.

One of the simplest approaches is to use age-appropriate truth, with an explanation that will match their experience when they attend the first session.

“You get to play and have fun.”

For example, I encourage parents to say they’re going to meet with Mrs. Erica, someone that they (the parent) have already met. The child is going to get to play for an hour and they’re going to have a lot of fun.

This aligns with their experience when they come, and although there’s much more going on therapeutically speaking, the child feels more comfortable without the pressure or expectation of talking.

Common mistake

One of the common mistakes is that parents will tell their child they’re going to a “feelings doctor”. While the sentiment is valid, that still creates anxiety, stress, or pressure for the child to have to deal with their emotions.

Therapy with a child is an experiential process, not a verbal one. So leaving it as neutral as possible is the most helpful approach.

When you say you get to go and play for an hour and you’ll have fun, it allows the child to envision a happy scenario rather than one where they’re sitting on a couch being asked questions.

Don’t emphasize “talking”

Sometimes parents feel it’s important to encourage the child to talk to the therapist about things that bother them. But that comes later in treatment, once the child has already built a bond and relationship with the therapist.

Finally, as a general rule, surprising the child, or not informing them ahead of time is not ideal. You want to be as honest and open as possible.

The more the child feels heard and understood, the less they will resist the first session

The therapeutic process is unique to each individual and progress depends on several factors such as the severity of symptoms and the developmental level of the child. It's common for children to need several sessions before they "warm up" to the therapy environment.

Most clients receive a weekly standing appointment to begin, which will reduce in frequency as functioning improves. Progress in music therapy treatment is evaluated after each session.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can receive updates regarding their child’s treatment a few ways:

1. Check-ins are offered monthly by phone call or video chat. These meetings are brief, lasting 10 minutes or less, and must be scheduled in advance through the Client Portal.

2. A Caregiver Consultation session may be requested at any time through the Client Portal. These meetings are more in-depth, lasting 30 minutes.

3. A Records Request can be made at any time to view their child’s session notes.

*Please Note: As your child's Music Therapist, I take the job of "holding their heart" very seriously and strive to maintain a strong therapeutic relationship. Limitations to confidentiality require me to notify a parent/guardian immediately and include harm to others, harm to self, or harm from someone else. For young children, (5yrs and under) non-urgent updates will be provided as deemed necessary.

Supporting the Process:

Parents should maintain a supportive attitude toward the therapeutic process. This includes being patient, showing interest in the child’s participation without forcing engagement, and respecting the therapeutic space.

Open Communication:

Effective communication with the Music Therapist is crucial. Parents are encouraged to share observations, insights, and concerns, which can provide invaluable information to the therapist.

Consistency and Routine:

Maintain consistency with appointments and routines. Children feel secure when their schedules are predictable, which can contribute positively to their therapy experience.

Implementing Strategies at Home:

I may suggest strategies or activities to be continued at home. Parents’ commitment to these can reinforce what is learned during sessions and integrate therapeutic goals into daily life.

Modeling Appropriate Behavior:

Children learn by imitation. Parents should model healthy emotion regulation and adaptive coping strategies.

Educational Involvement:

Parents should inform themselves about the principles and practices of Music Therapy to better understand the child’s experiences and progress.

Privacy and Confidentiality:

Respect for the child’s privacy is vital. While I may share themes or progress, specific details of what occurs during therapy should remain confidential to preserve the therapeutic alliance.

Collaborating on Goals:

Parents of young children should work collaboratively with the Music Therapist to set and revise goals for the child’s development.

By actively participating in their child’s therapy, parents not only foster a supportive environment for their growth but also contribute to building a healthy foundation for their child’s future well-being.

Music Therapy is not a “silver bullet” and takes time. Depending on your child’s symptoms and development, you could begin to see early glimmers of positive change such as in their mood, thinking patterns, and response to stress. Please understand that this is uncommon and many children need several weeks or months to begin making improvements. Try to be patient during your child’s treatment and remain open-minded. Music Therapy is hard work and the holistic, strengths-based approach I implement facilitates change from within. Trust your child, myself, and the music therapy process.