Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about music therapy or working with Adaptive Creative Arts Therapy?
You're in the right place!
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to accomplish individualized, non-musical functional goals. A board-certified music therapist uses music intentionally to support communication, emotional regulation, social skills, executive functioning, and more. No musical background or talent is required from the client.
What is the difference between a Music Therapist (MT-BC) and a Music Teacher?
A music teacher focuses on musical education and developing musicianship. A board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) has completed an approved university program, 1,200 hours of supervised clinical training, and a national board exam, with a focus entirely on therapeutic goals rather than musical skill or performance.
The simplest way to think about it: music education is about the product, music therapy is about the process. A music teacher might work with a student on playing an instrument correctly, building technique and proficiency toward a right or wrong way of doing things. A music therapist is less concerned with how something sounds and more focused on what the experience of making music feels like, what it brings up, and what it makes possible. There is no wrong way to play in a music therapy session.
What is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT)?
An LCAT is a New York State licensed mental health professional, credentialed by NYSED, who is trained in both psychotherapy and a specific creative arts modality (music, art, dance, or drama). To obtain an LCAT, a practitioner must hold a master's degree in a registered creative arts therapy program, complete 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, and hold their board certification in their specific modality. LCATs are authorized to assess and treat mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral disorders using their creative arts modality alongside psychotherapy.
Faith earned her Master of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University, one of the most respected music therapy programs in the country. Her LCAT is grounded in her MT-BC credential, meaning her licensed clinical modality is music psychotherapy specifically. This allows her to provide music psychotherapy as a mental health service, fulfill IEP counseling mandates in school settings, and offer services that may be eligible for insurance reimbursement depending on the individual's health insurance plan.
Do you accept insurance?
Adaptive Creative Arts Therapy does not bill insurance directly. However, because Faith holds the LCAT credential, private sessions may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your individual health insurance plan. Faith can provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt of services that you can submit directly to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement.
Every plan is different, and Faith is happy to support you in calling your insurance company to find out whether they will reimburse a percentage of services. Reach out and she can walk you through what to ask.
Where does music therapy take place?
Sessions are available in-home, in-school, at community program sites, and virtually. Location is determined based on the needs and preferences of the client and family.
How much do music therapy sessions cost?
In-home individual sessions are $200 for 45 minutes and $250 for 60 minutes. Private sessions may be eligible for insurance reimbursement depending on your individual health insurance plan. Faith is happy to support you in calling your insurance provider to find out whether they will reimburse a percentage of services. Sliding scale rates are available for in-home and private sessions to ensure services are accessible to those who need them.
School districts and community programs are contracted at competitive rates based on the specific needs, population, and scope of your program. Please reach out directly to discuss pricing and availability.
How long does music therapy take to work / how many sessions will my child need?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Progress depends on the individual, their goals, the frequency of sessions, and how music therapy fits into their broader support system. Some clients show meaningful responses within the first few sessions. Others build momentum more gradually over time. Faith tracks progress consistently and communicates regularly with families and teams so everyone has a clear picture of how things are developing. The goal is always meaningful, measurable progress, not indefinite treatment.
Can music therapy be used alongside other therapies?
Absolutely, and it often works best that way. Music therapy uses music to address non-musical functional goals, and the generalization of those skills into academics, other therapies, and everyday life is generally the long-term aim.
Faith actively collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral support staff, and educators to ensure goals are aligned and everyone is working in the same direction. She shares progress observed in music therapy sessions, discusses techniques that are working, and participates in team meetings to contribute a full clinical picture.
What makes this collaboration especially powerful is that music often reaches individuals in ways other modalities cannot. It is common to see a student who presents with frequent behaviors in academic settings remain regulated and engaged throughout a music therapy session. A student who rarely uses their voice or AAC device in other settings may sing, vocalize, or communicate more freely through music. Progress in communication during music therapy often directly supports what a speech therapist is working on in parallel. Faith has experience co-treating, including combined music therapy and speech therapy sessions, and providing crisis intervention support alongside behavioral staff when needed.
What services can Faith provide to special education and community programs?
As both an MT-BC and an LCAT, Faith is uniquely qualified to provide a range of services within special education and community settings, including:
Individual music psychotherapy fulfilling IEP counseling mandates
Group music therapy for social, communication, and emotional regulation goals
Post-secondary transition support for students ages 18-21+
Community and day habilitation music therapy groups
Family, caregiver, and staff trainings
Interdisciplinary team collaboration and consultation
Clinical supervision for music therapy students and LCAT limited permit holders
Faith has more than five years of experience working in specialized school settings serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across preschool, K-12, and 21+ programs. She contracts directly with schools, districts, and community programs and works closely with teams to ensure services are goal-directed, data-informed, and aligned with each individual's needs.
How is music therapy different from regular talk therapy?
Traditional talk therapy relies on verbal communication as the primary therapeutic tool. Music therapy uses music, which engages both cognitive and emotional systems simultaneously, making it especially effective for individuals who have difficulty accessing or benefiting from talk-based approaches. The therapeutic goals are the same. The pathway is different.
Do clients need musical experience?
No musical background or talent is required. Faith meets each individual in the here and now, using music as a flexible, non-threatening tool to support their specific goals. A natural responsiveness to music is all that's needed. Most individuals find music to be an engaging and motivating medium from the very first session.
Who is music therapy for?
Music therapy is effective across the lifespan for individuals with a wide range of needs. Adaptive Creative Arts Therapy specializes in serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, ages 3 and up. Services are also available for families, caregivers, and school and community programs.
Has Faith worked with individuals who use AAC devices?
Yes! Faith has experience working with individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices as their primary or supplementary means of communication, and she incorporates them naturally into the music therapy experience. Music is a highly motivating context for communication, and many individuals engage with their AAC device more freely and frequently within a musical setting than in other contexts.
Every client Faith works with receives a completely individualized treatment plan and session experience. She takes a strengths-based approach, meeting each individual in the here and now and building from what they bring to the session. Whether a client uses AAC, gestures, vocalization, or any other form of communication, Faith works to support and expand their existing communication system within the musical experience, always in close collaboration with their speech-language pathologist, family, and broader support team to ensure consistency across settings.
What does a typical session look like?
Every session is individualized and looks different depending on the client's age, goals, setting, and needs. A session might include any combination of the following:
Clinical improvisation
Structured drumming and shared pulse activities
Call-and-response drumming
Song lyric analysis and discussion
Songwriting
Instrument play
Music-based mindfulness
Movement to music
AAC-integrated musical interaction
Shared leadership and collaborative improvisation
Music-assisted relaxation
Faith follows the client's lead in the here and now, using musical experiences to work toward their specific therapeutic goals. Sessions are structured enough to feel purposeful and flexible enough to meet the client where they are on any given day. No two sessions look exactly the same, and that is by design.
Does Faith work with adults or only children?
Faith works with individuals across the lifespan, from ages 3 and up. While much of her clinical experience has been in school-based settings serving children and adolescents, music therapy is equally effective for adults. Faith provides services to adults through in-home sessions, community programs, and day habilitation settings, supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in building independence, communication, self-advocacy, and quality of life at any age.
How do I get started?
The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. You can schedule directly through the website or reach out by email or phone.
From there, Faith will discuss your goals, answer any questions, and determine the best fit for your needs.