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Philosophy
Music therapists use music as a tool to work towards a client's goals and objectives. As an established health profession, music therapy seeks to improve the quality of life for those who are well, and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and/or illness. Music therapists are trained at a recognized university, and complete an internship in order to receive their degree.
Within the field at large, there are many approaches to music therapy. As part of her experience working with diverse populations, Abigail Yeh has been schooled in a behavioral model, received training in Child-Centered Music Therapy, and been influenced by Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Through these experiences, she has come to hold the following core values:
- Music is therapeutic. When clinically applied, music is a crucial tool to be used in a client's healing process and engagement in life.
- Music has the power to reach individuals in a non-threatening, creative fashion. By tapping into client's creativity, tremendous growth can be realized. Challenging tasks can seem less challenging when approached within the music.
- A balance must be found between seeking behavioral goals/objectives and approaching individuals in a humanistic, wholistic view. This means that Abigail works towards defined, measurable goals at all times, while acknowledging the potential for each client to achieve personal goals beyond the scope of a behavioral measure.
- All individuals are whole people. As such, every level of functioning should be considered when working therapeutically- physical, cognitive, emotional, social, spiritual, etc. Music has the power to meet each of these aspects of the individual.
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