Who is this for?

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Anyone who is interested in using their creative imagination and the transformational power of music for personal growth can benefit. Focused Music Imagery sessions can help individuals cope with life transitions, relationship challenges, depression, or anxiety, and enable them to connect with their inner wisdom and creativity to make sense of their experience.

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What happens during a session?

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During the first session, the therapist will ask a series of questions about your background and musical preferences. Subsequent sessions begin with a verbal check-in so you can tune into how you’re feeling that day and what you'd like to concentrate on. The therapist selects music to reflect this focus and leads you through a brief relaxation, using verbal guidance to move your attention inward. 

 

In a relaxed state and with an intention in mind, the therapist will invite you to be aware of your body and any feelings that arise, and to allow an image to form along with that awareness. Imagery can arise as a visualization or as a feeling in the body. You are invited to draw or write what comes to you, and then the therapist guides a discussion about your experience.

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Do I need musical or artistic experience to participate?

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No musical or artistic experience is necessary to participate. The purpose of creating a drawing of your imagery is not about artistry, it is meant to serve as a representation of your experience so that you can reflect on it after the session. 

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What makes this method effective?

 

Images, like those in dreams, help us make sense of experiences we can’t easily put into words. Focused Music Imagery is like dreaming to music, while you’re awake. Through drawing, writing about, and discussing your imagery, you can derive meaning from it, and connect it to your personal vision for your life.

 

According to the Therapeutic Arts Institute, Focused Music Imagery "is based on the premise that short contained music experiences are a powerful way to bring the benefits of music-evoked imagery to a broad range of individuals for personal growth, supportive and re-educative psychotherapy, wellness and spiritual enhancement.”

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Why do you recommend a series of sessions?

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While you can benefit from an individual session, multiple sessions allow time for evolution and personal themes to emerge in your imagery, deepening your self-awareness and potential for personal growth. In group sessions, this allows time for participants to form connections, creating a safe space for exchange and reflection. 

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What do all those letters after your name mean?

 

LPMT means Licensed Professional Music Therapist, a license required to practice music therapy in the state of Maryland, issued by the Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists.

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MT-BC means Music Therapist-Board Certified, a national certification for music therapists issued by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

 

MIT means Music Imagery Therapist, a designation given by the Therapeutic Arts Institute after completing a certification in Focused Music Imagery.

 

More information about music imagery is available on the Association for Music & Imagery website.