In sessions, clients may play guitars, keyboards, maracas, tambourines, drums, or xylophones.
While making music, clients are learning and practicing skills. Songs stimulate and reinforce communication. Social skills can be addressed by targeting interpersonal interaction through instrument play. Music experiences are set up to support development of executive function as clients plan, make decisions, and communicate choices when writing songs. Emotion regulation can be addressed by expressing emotions through musical play, and by writing songs to help identify feelings.
Music therapy through Chileda Shine uses a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed approach. This focus uses music to teach and reinforce skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal interaction.
