Music Therapy for Rehabilitation

Our Music Therapy program is provided by our music therapists and interns who have specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) approaches. This uses research based on the influence of music on the brain and behavior. Our board-certified music therapists have completed a music therapy bachelor’s or master’s program and the national board certification test for the credential of MT-BC.

In rehabilitation, our music therapists use music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals:

• By playing an instrument or moving with rhythm, your movement becomes more automatic
• Singing a familiar song or practicing vocal exercises can improve your speech and strengthen your vocalization after an injury
• Composing music or recalling facts with musical information can help you think, increase your attention span, and improve your decision-making skills and self-expression

In long-term care, music therapy is used to: 

• Enhance memory by reminiscing with familiar songs from the past 
• Orient to the present through singing and playing music
• Improve mood and socialization through group music-making sessions 

Music therapy is provided at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Lemmon-Holton Cancer Pavilion and select inpatient rehabilitation settings, long-term care and Spectrum Health At Home.