Music Therapy is …
the therapeutic use of music by a music therapist
to achieve non-musical goals.
Sara L. Dean, MT-BC
Sara designs music therapy sessions which engage clients of all ages through music-making, movement, singing, songwriting, lyric analysis, relaxation and/or other music therapy techniques. These person-centered, supportive sessions help clients meet their physical, cognitive, and/or social-emotional goals. Sara also provides adapted music lessons in piano, guitar, and voice.
She serves clients in both group and individual settings in Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, and Kennebec counties.
When I discovered music therapy in my 40s, I immediately felt called to the profession. In my work as a music therapist now, I find that my previous experiences in music, both professional and vocational, inform and enrich my current practice. I have a bachelor’s degree in music from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and a bachelor's degree in music therapy from St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana.
On the way to completing my music therapy degree and to earning my national certification in music therapy, I completed practicums in a public school setting with students of all ages, in a home for profoundly disabled individuals, and in home visitations with very young children. I then completed a 9-month music therapy internship working with students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since then, I have continued to work with both students as well as adults in both individual and group settings.
I am continually inspired when facilitating and then witnessing how the myriad components of music help my clients meet their goals, such as improved communication skills, reduced pain, increased engagement, enhanced mobility, and more. I am honored to be part of those journeys as part of the therapeutic relationship. I enjoy learning client-preferred music and growing professionally through workshops, conferences, and independent study of current research.
I can be reached at sara@mtbluemusictherapy.com.
Music Therapy is:
the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions
to accomplish individualized goals
within a therapeutic relationship
by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare & educational goals:
Promote Wellness
Manage Stress
Alleviate Pain
Express Feelings
Enhance Memory
Improve Communication
Promote Physical Rehabilitation
and more
(as defined by the American Music Therapy Association)