Informed Consent for Music Therapy

What Is Music Therapy?

Music therapy helps people find improved health through music experiences and the relationships that develop through them.

Music therapy sessions may include a wide range of music experiences including live singing and instrument playing, music improvisation, music listening, songwriting, music-assisted relaxation and/or music technology projects. All of these music experiences will be planned and adapted according to the client’s needs and preferences.

Your Provider

Our providers are Board-Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC), with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and experience in work with adults and older adults. Our providers are proficient on guitar, piano, voice, and percussion. See a current list of our providers here.

Getting Started

Music therapy begins with an assessment period, during which we will experiment with
different musical styles and ways of experiencing music. This allows us to work together
in determining the client’s music preferences and therapeutic needs so that we can
determine goals for our therapy sessions.

The Music Therapy Process

The music therapy process looks very different from person to person. The specific
music experiences included in each session will be determined based on the client’s
needs and interests in general, as well as the circumstances on a given day. In any
case, most of the time in music therapy sessions will be spent engaging in music. As
music therapy progresses, there will be many opportunities to evaluate the process and
change the experiences provided according to the client’s changing needs or concerns.
Please talk with the therapist about any questions or concerns you have about the client
or the music therapy process.

Risks and Benefits

The client’s music therapy experience will be designed with his/her health and healing as the principal aim. For that reason alone, the client will never be intentionally harmed or distressed; however, the process of therapy may include moments of increased personal awareness, insights, or general growth that bring forth difficult emotions such as sadness, anger or frustration.

Music therapy does not put participants at physical risk other than those encountered in daily life, nor does it involve specific side effects such as those commonly found in medications.

Research has provided evidence to support the idea that music therapy can improve the lives of individuals in both large and small ways. Because each individual is unique, however, specific outcomes cannot be promised. Music therapy clients and their caregivers do report common outcomes such as improved mood, relaxation, strengthened sense of identity, improved social and communication skills, sense of accomplishment, and sense of “being heard.”

Your Rights

A client in music therapy has a number of rights, as does the responsible party caring for the client. These rights will be honored during your time with Soundscaping Source. These include the right to safety, dignity, treatment, self determination, respect, participation in treatment decisions, and viewing the client’s therapy record. You have the right to end music therapy at any time.

Confidentiality

Information about the client comes from a variety of sources, including what happens in music therapy sessions and what information and records you choose to share with us. This information will not be shared with anyone else unless one of the following circumstances apply:

  • You, the client, or someone else is in danger, or someone is involved in abuse/neglect/exploitation of a minor or elder.
  • The therapist is required by court, administrative order, or subpoena to
    reveal information.
  • You sign a form granting permission to release information to a specific
    party.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth involves the use of electronic communications to enable Soundscaping Source’s music therapists to connect with clients using interactive video and audio communications.

Through these means of communication, music therapists can provide music therapy assessment, treatment, and evaluation, including music-based therapeutic experiences that are appropriate for these electronic communication methods.

I understand that:

  • The same confidentiality expectations for in-person service apply to telehealth. No recordings or photographs will be taken or disseminated without my written consent.
  • There are risks to telehealth, despite the best reasonable efforts of my music therapist. These include the possibilities of interruptions, unauthorized access, and technical difficulties.
  • My telehealth-based services and care may be different from face-to-face services because some music therapy experiences are not possible via electronic communications; however, the quality of services will not be compromised and the music therapists will continue to follow all clinical and ethical standards of practice.
  • Billing will occur as usual, per Soundscaping Source policies.
  • I have the right to withhold or withdraw my consent to the use of telehealth at any time, without affecting my right to future care.

I know that I may contact Soundscaping Source or my therapist at any time if I have any questions about this document. Click here to contact Soundscaping Source or call (913) 548-7169.