Explore the Benefits and Convenience of Virtual Music Therapy!
FMT Offers Virtual Sessions in Addition to Other Services
The COVID-19 pandemic produced a lot of challenges to healthcare, but one helpful area of growth that has come out of the pandemic is the availability of healthcare through digital platforms (Han et al., 2024). FMT strives to make music therapy accessible and equitable by offering in-home sessions, sessions at one of our two offices in Lee County and Brevard County, sessions at schools and facilities, and sessions through a virtual platform.
3 Benefits of Virtual Music Therapy Sessions!
One benefit of virtual sessions is that by taking advantage of technological screen share, streaming apps and search engines, a large variety of preferred musical choices and experiences can be offered (Cephas et al., 2022).
Another benefit is that participants have the agency to choose their own space in the comfort of their own home, and even change the virtual background in which to have the session (Cephas et al., 2022).
Virtual music therapy sessions also offer similar therapeutic benefits as those offered in person through strengthening the therapeutic relationship, reducing chronic pain and reducing isolation (Cephas et al., 2022).
Who might want to try virtual sessions?
One of FMT’s music therapists who works primarily in the virtual setting says, “Essentially, almost anywhere you have WiFi, your therapist can be! It also helps a lot of folks whose busy schedules would make coming to a physical office very difficult. Not to mention folks with varied access needs - the time and energy it can take to get from the house to the car, if you forget a communication device, [this] doesn’t happen with telehealth.” - Isy Giltner, MT-BC
To Virtual or Not to Virtual?
Pros: Our MT-BC staff personalize virtual sessions for each participant, guide families in setting up their personal space for the best musical experience, and utilize technological tools to enrich the session (Cephas et al., 2022).
Cons: Virtual music therapy sessions do have some technology challenges including some audio delay and the reliance on internet connectivity (Cephas et al., 2022). For participants, virtual music therapy sessions may take some extra set-up and knowledge using a digital device like a tablet, laptop or smart phone that has video streaming capabilities.
No instruments at home, you say? No problem!
Items you may already have at home can be repurposed to make instruments. Water bottles, spice bottles and plastic eggs can be filled with rice, dried beans or beads to make shakers, two pencils or dowel rods make great rhythm sticks, and an upside down coffee canister makes a great drum. Here’s a link to a DIY instrument tutorial! DIY Musical Instruments to Craft at Home - Heart and Harmony Music Therapy
References
Cephas, A., Sofield, S., Millstein, A. (2022). Embracing technological possibilities in the
Telehealth delivery of interactive music therapy. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy 31(3),
214-227. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2022.2040579
Han, J., Lee, H., Kim, T., Lee S. (2024). Healthcare 12, 1467. Exploring the impact of positive
psychology-based virtual music therapy on mental health in stressed college students
during COVID-19: A pilot investigation. MDPI
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151467
Heart and Harmony Music Therapy (2021, October 1). DIY Musical Instruments to craft at home. Heart and Harmony Music Therapy.
https://www.heartandharmony.com/diy-musical-instruments-to-craft-at-home/