In response to the social and travel restrictions we're seeing with regards to COVID-19, we've begun offering private virtual music therapy and interactive music enrichment sessions through our online tele-health portal!

We're thrilled to announce our new live stream series 'Music Made Mobile' which will stream daily through the MTA Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/musictherapyassociates

With the recent news about COVID-19 diagnoses in our service area, I am writing to reassure you that the Music Therapy Associates team is following these developments closely. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the clients we serve, and we are giving extra attention to the infection control and prevention procedures we have always had in place. 

We have reviewed our infection control and prevention policies and procedures as a team, following a review of recommendations from the CDC and the American Music Therapy Association, and we will continue working 
with our clients in a manner that minimizes infection risk. In addition to adhering to any site specific requirements, (masks/gloves/cleaning procedures), our therapists and teachers clean their hands and music instruments and supplies by washing hands, using hand sanitizer and/or cleaning with a Norwex Envirocloth before and after contact with clients/students. We have reviewed proper hand washing procedures and the use of hand sanitizer and Norwex Envirocloths. 

During this period of heightened risk, we have also minimized the number of instruments we use that are 
difficult to clean, and we have reviewed ways to minimize physical touch during greetings and sessions without 
compromising the quality of our music therapy services and music lessons. 

In addition to the infection control and prevention procedures above, in an effort to minimize the spread 
of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect our clients, therapists and staff from increased risk of exposure, 
we ask that all responsible parties notify MTA immediately if you have recently returned from travel outside of the U.S., been exposed to COVID-19, and/or are experiencing flu-like symptoms 

(including coughing, sneezing, congestion, and fever). 
Please contact our office at 610-740-9890 

with concerns or questions about whether or not to reschedule sessions. 

The U.S. Center for Disease Control has issued the following recommendations for controlling and 

minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus: 

1. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. 
2 Always wash hands that are visibly soiled. 
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

When you hired board-certified music therapists, you hired folks who know what to do to reduce the spread of infection. Infection control is one of the competencies covered in music therapy education and training, and is tested on our board-certification exam. We have trained in medical settings with strict infection control protocols. We also consider it an ethical obligation to stay home when sick. 
We value having you as a partner in care for the clients and students we all serve and in navigating this public health concern. As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve your individual through music therapy and/or music lessons! 

We appreciate your attention to this important information. 

In Harmony, 
Kathy Purcell, MT-BC 
Director, Music Therapy Associates, LLC

After a brain injury many of us have an assortment of issues with sounds and music. For some of us, sound becomes intolerable. Even the sound of water splashing when a car drives over wet pavement or the sound of birds tweeting can be overwhelming. Music may be unbearable. Others have no problem with this and can listen to just about anything. I could not tolerate most sounds or most music. I did find, however, that there was certain music or sounds that worked like “brain massage” for me. Since then I have learned that there is actually a recognized health profession that provides music therapy for that purpose or to treat cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions. 

It seems that music as therapy is still in its early stages in the traditional medical world. According to Michael H. Thaut, Ph.D., and Gerald C. McIntosh, M.D., “The role of music in therapy has gone through some dramatic shifts in the past 15 years, driven by new insights from research into music and brain function. These shifts have not been reflected in public awareness, though, or even among some professionals.” Their entire article is available (as a PDF download) in the March 2010 article, “How Music Helps to Heal the Injured Brain”, that appeared in the Dana Foundation’s publication, Cerebrum. 

I’ve spent more time recently learning about music as therapy for brain injuries and for brain wellness in general. Gabriella Giffords participated in music therapy as part of...(READ MORE)