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About Music Therapy |
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Preliminary contacts: When inquiring about CMTS, you will be asked to complete an Intake Request Form. This form is located on this website and can be downloaded and mailed or uploaded and emailed to CMTS. Upon receipt of the Intake Request Form, our Program Coordinator will contact you to explain the treatment process in further details and answer any questions you may have. CMTS can be contacted and the Intake Request Form submitted in the following ways: By phone: 212 414-5407 By mail: Download the online Intake Request Form and mail it to: Creative Music Therapy Studio Online: Complete and send us the Intake Request Form Someone will call to schedule an intake when the form is received and processed If you are interested in enrolling your child for treatment, the next step is to schedule an Intake Session. The intake session: The intake session is usually 20 to 25 minutes in length and conducted by two therapists. The purpose of the intake is to interact with and observe the prospective client in the musical environment in which therapy will actually take place, enabling the therapists to make assessments of responsiveness and formulate preliminary therapeutic goals. This is not a formal musical test. Rather, we are interested in getting to know you (and/or your child) and assessing how we may best meet your (or your child’s) unique needs through music therapy. This is also an occasion to meet with the client and/or caregivers to discuss history and presenting needs. Based on the initial intake, clinical decisions and recommendations will be made. The first determination is whether music therapy is indicated for the prospective client. If so, the therapists decide whether individual or group therapy is appropriate. When individual therapy is indicated, the therapists will decide whether it will be conducted by one therapist or two. Most individual sessions are run by two therapists unless clinically indicated otherwise. All group therapy sessions are conducted by two therapists. Clinical recommendations concerning session structure will be made by the therapists at CMTS and discussed with you shortly after the intake session. With the completion of the intake and the determination of the form of the sessions, music therapy at CMTS can begin. Treatment at CMTS: The goal of the initial sessions at CMTS is assessment. As the therapy proceeds and the therapeutic relationship develops, clinical goals will be formulated and the therapist(s) will develop a treatment plan for your child. During the year, the therapists may want to talk with other professionals who work with your child. Our goal is to work in a way that is complementary to the other therapies your child may be receiving while maintaining the unique therapeutic value of the Creative Music Therapy approach. Parent Contact: Throughout the year, therapists will be available via phone to discuss your child's process, including their progress and areas of current focus. In addition, we will be happy to meet with you for a parent conference. The conference can be a time to ask questions and discuss in more detail your child's therapeutic treatment plan. A nominal fee will be charged for this conference. Fees: Fees are determined according to the Studio’s fee schedule. Fees are payable at the time of the session although at times other arrangements can be made. We accept cash and personal checks, made payable to Creative Music Therapy Studio. We do not accept credit cards. Please note that CMTS receives no outside financial support from institutions or foundations. For this reason, we are unable to offer a sliding scale fee structure at this time. Please call CMTS to inquire about fees. Attendance/Payment Policy: Our program runs September through June, in general accordance with the New York City Public School calendar. Summer sessions are also available. Regular and consistent attendance is necessary for effective therapy. When your child begins our program, we will reserve a time slot for their weekly session. At the beginning of treatment, you will be asked to sign an Attendance/Fee Agreement Statement upon beginning the program at CMTS stating that you understand and are willing to comply with our policy. Recording of Sessions: All sessions at Creative Music Therapy Studio will be recorded on audio- or videotape. This is a necessary component of our approach. When your child begins therapy at CMTS, you will be asked to sign a legal consent authorizing the recording of the sessions. These tapes will be used by the therapists for documentation and to evaluate the ongoing course of therapy. In addition, some tapes may be used fo=r lectures, presentations, or teaching in professional forums or publications. On these occasions, the tapes will be utilized in such a way as to preserve your child's anonymity. If other occasions to use the audio- or videotapes arise, we will contact you for consent prior to its use. |