Music Therapy is
an evidence based practice using music experiences to accomplish therapeutic goals facilitated by a board-certified music therapist. These music experiences and thoughtfully planned interventions include the following:
Listening - relaxation, exploring & processing emotions, meditation, movement, perceptual exercises, free-association, story-telling, imaging, reminiscing, and more.
Re-creating - engaging in singing, playing, or dancing to composed live or recorded music.
Improvising - Creating music spontaneously to develop spontaneity, creativity, freedom of expression, trust, self-awareness, and communication skills.
Composing - Song and lyric writing to provide a safe container for expressing deep feelings, situations that are difficult to put into words, composing pieces of music to reflect inner complex thoughts.
All of the above experiences are facilitated by the music therapist. Music therapists complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in music therapy at an accredited university, fulfill 1200 clinical hours through practicum and internship, and pass a national board-certification exam. Some states require music therapy licensure additionally. Music therapy at Making Waves Music Therapy is provided by Kayla Connick, MT-BC/LPMT.
Meet the Owner
Kayla Connick, MT-BC/LPMT
Kayla is a board-certified music therapist with experience working with neurodiverse individuals with different abilities, at-risk youth, residents within memory care units with varying degrees of dementia, and within special school districts. Kayla believes empathy is the driving force behind a beneficial therapeutic relationship and that music therapy focuses on the whole person’s strengths and unique needs. Kayla is a strong advocate for disability rights, survivors of trauma, and mental health awareness and accessibility to therapy services. In her own time, Kayla is a songwriter and can personally and professionally speak to the powerful therapeutic effect of music.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science in music therapy from Maryville University, is nationally board-certified through the Certification Board of Music Therapists, and is a licensed practicing music therapist in the state of Nevada.