The Community Music School of Buffalo, 415 Elmwood Ave., doesn’t
only teach music; it also uses music to heal as part of its music therapy
program. Music therapy is a unique mental health treatment where the
participants listen to and play music. The two music therapists on staff, Brianna
Miller and Sara Rogers, say they treat a wide variety of people from autistic
children to elderly dementia patients. However, Miller and Rogers said that
they often feel the profession is not treated seriously. “Music therapy is so
much more than just someone playing therapeutic music for someone,” Rogers said.
She added that practitioners must be board certified and prospective patients
must be evaluated before a treatment plan can be developed. Patients can either
be referred or can contact the music school directly to assess whether music
therapy can benefit them. For more information visit http://communitymusicbuffalo.org/home/programs/music-therapy/
By
Melissa Burrowes
