MONTICELLO – Countless studies across the world have proven the value of music as therapy. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) says on their website, that “music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare and educational goals” including managing stress, alleviating pain, expressing feelings, enhancing memory, improving communication, and promoting wellness, physical rehabilitation and more.
Further information on the AMTA website offers fact sheets, resources and bibliographies for music therapy with specific populations such as those with brain injuries, addiction, behavioral health, dementia and memory disorders, hospice, pain management, neo-natal care, autism and much more.
Melinda Marks Burgard, a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Music Psychotherapy from NYU, has been practicing Clinical Music Therapy for over 30 years. Through Action Toward Independence (ATI), a local organization that promotes independence, inclusion, participation, and personal choice of individuals with disabilities, Melinda offers several musical therapy programs for both children and adults.
“Melinda’s Music” uses her clinical skills (including her relationships with each group individual) to obtain non-musical goals, such as improving socialization, speech, fine and gross motor skills, emotional expression and obtaining a sense of calm. One of her programs – “A Warm Musical Hug,” is an early childhood therapeutic music group for ages seven weeks to five years. It’s a free, interactive Zoom Music Therapy session where adults, especially new parents, are required to attend. The first half of the session enhances developmentally appropriate music activities for the child, and educates the adult how to utilize these skills for everyday purposeful play. The second half of the group focuses on verbally and musically supporting caregivers by encouraging musical activities, specifically for their individual child, toward the developmental goal. Every few months, free instruments are available- when eligible.
Other programs are: “Stand By Me” – Music Therapy and Verbal Support for “CarePartners” of people living with dementia. “Our Musical Memories” is another group available for CarePartners with their person living with dementia. The “Musical Memories” group also offers free instruments to eligible group members.
Each of the programs are free, meet monthly and require internet access and Zoom (camera).
Coming up on January 7, 2022 at 2 p.m., ATI will be collaborating with the Newburgh Free Public Library for a music program for seniors living with memory loss with their CarePartners called “Beat the Winter Blues.” Through this virtual program, attendees will experience how music therapy can assist in increasing cognitive, speech, motor and socialization skills, while decreasing stress and anxiety. Bring any rhythm instrument to keep the beat and “Beat the Winter Blues!”
For more information and to register for any of the programs, contact Akilah Sutphin, Family Peer Advocate at Action Toward Independence. Call her at (845) 794-4228 or email asutphin@atitoday.org.