Virtual and In-Person Music Therapy in the US
Mental Health Treatment Facility Services
An Innovative and Complementary Approach
Honed by years of professional practice, Get In Tune provides an innovative, curriculum-based music therapy that teaches clients how to use music to access a higher level of emotional processing. Our complementary methods, developed through intensive training in recovery evidence-based practices and including concepts utilized in CBT and DBT, uniquely position clients to become more successful on their road to mental well-being.
Why Music Therapy – Isn’t Using Music Enough?
For clients in mental health treatment, music as a coping skill is often a gateway for isolation. The song becomes their point of connection while shutting everyone else out. And while there is a potential for a positive effect in that moment, a lack of processing beyond that point means that the problem returns when the music stops.
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How We Are Different
There are many different ways that music can heal. While offerings such as sound healing and music recording groups provide healing sensations and connection, only music therapy combines the use of music, creativity, psychology, and evidence-based practices facilitated by a therapist specifically trained to use music for clinical purposes. With music therapy, clients learn tools that can be utilized throughout their lives, beyond the experience they have in the moment.
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Furthermore, giving clients clear tools for using music to find their words can dramatically increase the efficacy of treatment. And unlike other forms of complementary therapy, most clients will continue to connect with music after treatment more than any other modality because it is part of their everyday lives.
DID YOU KNOW THAT MUSIC CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE HARM IF NOT PRESENTED CORRECTLY?
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While unintended, a facilitator who is not a music therapist with mental health expertise can potentially trigger overwhelming emotions, harmful behaviors, and/or flashbacks of repressed memories. Most music therapy schools do not require advanced counseling classes, meaning music therapists without additional training can struggle to present sessions that are highly effective and remain within their scope of practice.
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This can also be true for well-intending staff members or therapists in facilities who use music in their sessions. A lack of knowledge about how music can trigger and how to use music when a client is triggered may lead to setbacks.
Before hiring, we highly recommend asking a prospective music therapist if they have been specifically trained to work in mental health, eating disorder recovery and/or addiction therapy.
TESTIMONIALS
Our wonderful clients inspire us everyday. Although we need to protect their identities, here are some of the great things they’ve said about Get In Tune Music Therapy sessions.
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“I am so grateful for the contribution that Marlys’s music therapy groups make to our program. The clients always look forward to the groups and often comment on how the sessions enable them to look at the issues in their life in a unique way. Music therapy has opened up new opportunities for my clients to gain insight and enhance their experience in recovery!"
– Women’s Program Coordinator, New Found Life
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“The music therapist’s approach to building rapport with clients is consistently empathetic and welcoming, and her ability to retain client attention and foster an environment for the clients to openly express themselves is amazing. The clients appear to enjoy learning and exploring different ways to approach life and recovery issues through music. These sessions are much needed, insightful, and emotionally challenging.”
– Staff Member at Treatment Center
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“It became clear (during observation) that the music therapy groups were an effective part of the client’s time in treatment. The men looked forward to the group, were willing to explore vulnerable topics, and most left the sessions with bounce in their step. Recovery work cane very stressful, tedious, and at times overwhelming. Music therapy seemed to relax and lighten the group while simultaneously achieving heartfelt, therapeutic reflection.”
– Staff Member at Treatment Center
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"Music therapy was definitely an effective part of my time in treatment for two reasons: one is that music wasn’t allowed at the treatment center and that was brutal. I love music and it has always played a vital part of my entire existence. So just the opportunity to listen to music during music therapy was awesome. The second reason was in the ability to be creative. Both listening and creating music were helpful to my recovery."
– Feedback from a Former Client, 5 years sober
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"Wow! That felt great! It felt so amazing to let out all the pain and chaos that has been going on in my head for the last 5 or 6 years. I’ve kept it in for so long. I just got to leave all that anger on the drum. Thank you!"
– Client in Outpatient Treatment Center for Substance Abuse
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“This group taught me how to follow directions and to take a look at my emotions. Music is life for me. My first day here we did the drums and I was like “Oh! No!” but now, here I am still participating in drums. This group definitely got me out of my comfort zone.”
– Client in Extended Care Treatment Facility in Orange, CA
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“Music is such a good coping skill. It evokes such pure emotions. Even if you aren’t a musician, just listening to a song can help you.”
– Client in Outpatient Facility
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"Shadowing Marlys and watching music therapy be used in a substance abuse treatment center has been amazing. I’ve seen music therapy be an equalizing force, as it takes the experiences clients from completely different backgrounds and walks of life and helps them connect and identify with one another. But even more importantly, I’ve seen music therapy help clients connect with themselves and their own emotions, some of which they did not even realize they had. It’s a gateway for people to begin processing and understanding things on a deeper level."
– Practicum Student
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"Music and lyrics touch your emotions more than asking about it. I really appreciate your groups and feel something every group."– Client in Extended Care Treatment Facility in Orange, CA
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“Wow! Thank you. Music really hits me and I feel inspired now to complete my 12 step work.”
– Client in Inpatient Treatment Center
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“Writing my song down kind of made my addiction final. It felt good to say it out loud.”
– Residential Adolescent Facility
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“I’ve always liked your groups because it really makes us think more than other groups.”
– Client at Long Beach Residential Treatment Facility
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"I like your groups because it allows us the opportunity to explore the steps. Unlike in the house, it has to be exact and you can be like a robot to do the steps but in your group I can actually explore the steps and what I think and feel about them. There is no right answer. I have to actually think about it."
– Client in Long Beach, CA Residential facility
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"I realize in this group that artists are the same as us. People are the same. We are unique but not alone in our suffering."
– Client in Orange, CA Extended Care Facility
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“This was amazing. It reminded me of home and really helped me to calm down. The music took my emotions to excitement to calm and I also felt a release.”
– Client in Detox in Orange County Facility
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