Along with music and music therapy, my journey has led me to explore other creative and healing arts. It is with delight that I bring together creative and expressive arts and an energetic approach as needed to inspire and facilitate growth and well-being.  In sessions, we may play instruments, sing, enjoy some guided visualization, explore archetypes through play, story telling, visualization or role play, engage in movement, art, songwriting or sound exploration. Specific techniques are chosen based on the interests and goals of the client.

As your music therapist, I can work independently or collaborate with your team of health care or education providers.

Each person is an individual on their own unique journey through life. The role of the music therapist is to create an opening for the learning, self-expression and healing of the client. Music therapy is heart-centered, inviting the client to find their voice through music, to assist them in exploring and expressing, to motivate learning and movement, to soothe pain and add joy, to help make life easier. Music can be of benefit for many struggling with issues in life, including developmental challenges, chronic physical conditions, emotional troubles, physical pain, and stress.

As a music therapist, I draw on the individual’s innate need to communicate: at birth our cry is our first expression, and even with Alzheimers, people can sing familiar songs. The skillful use of music can motivate movement and action in those who lack internal drive, and calm the one who feels anxious. Music allows us to express suppressed emotions, without words.

Children to adults, those who are non-verbal are able to express themselves through music in ways rarely available otherwise in their lives. This brings great stress release for many of them and for some may stimulate development which had been blocked because of inability to communicate and unmet needs.

The use of music in therapy stimulates the whole brain, supporting cognitive development, social learning and physical coordination.

Children with autism are often interested in music. Music therapy supports relationship building, communication skills, sensory exploration and integration, coordination and many other areas of development.

Those of us who are verbal, often find it difficult to find words to express ourselves when exploring feelings especially at times of inner conflict and stress. Music therapy can help to facilitate this self-exploration and expression, supporting greater clarity of mind.

Some clients I serve include:

• seniors isolated and depressed, or who have had a life with music, living in residences or at home
• seniors who are in transition between facilities and needing extra support to facilitate the transition often due to dementia or other conditions
• children or adults struggling to understand emotional issues
• children who are hospitalized and where the family would like additional support
• those highly sensitive children and adults on the autism spectrum
• developmentally delayed children and adults
• people with cancer or other health conditions seeking pain relief, relaxation and alternative emotionally oriented support
  
• in mental health for people looking for relief of stress and a medium for self-exploration and expression
  
• people and their families who have challenging illnesses or are in palliative care and are working through end of life issues
• adults, interested in self-exploration, expression and healing using music, art, deep relaxation, creative visualization

I have approaches for individuals and family systems.

Contact Pamela at 613-829-1556 or at email hidden; JavaScript is required