I'm sorry but I'm no longer taking any new clients. Please reach out to the Sonatina Center or Granite State Music Therapy.
The Sonatina Center: https://www.thesonatinacenter.com/
Granite State Music Therapy: https://www.granitestatemusictherapy.com/
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I still offer private phone or video conferencing consultations. If you're interested, please reach out to me at Ryan@TheRhythmTree.com. My rate is $150 per hour.
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Therapeutic Approach
To create an environment where my clients are free to express themselves, I structure sessions that are fun and full of laughter. The improvisational, spontaneous nature of my work allows me to address each client's unique needs in the present moment. I also support and nurture inner strength and self-confidence by providing a musical landscape where clients experience joy and success. By facilitating the therapeutic relationship through music, drama, and creativity, my clients are more willing to work on their most challenging therapeutic goals. To see my work in action, please check out my videoblog.
What is Music Therapy and what are its benefits?
Music therapy is an established health care profession that uses music to accomplish therapeutic goals. In a typical session, the client and therapist create musical experiences through instrument play, movement to music, singing, vocalizing, and song-writing. These experiences are focused on speech, occupational, physical, academic, and/or behavioral goals. Clients do not need any musical skill or experience to participate in and benefit from music therapy. To read more about music therapy, please check out the articles and infographics on my "About" page.
Music Therapy is an Evidence-Based Practice
Many universities worldwide are conducting research on the benefits of music therapy for individuals with special needs. This is a list of some of the research-based outcomes of music therapy.
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Increased attention
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Decreased self-stimulation
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Improved cognitive functioning
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Increased socialization
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Successful and safe self-expression
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Improved behavior
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Enhanced auditory processing
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Decreased agitation
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Improved receptive/expressive language
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Enhanced sensory-motor skills
For detailed information about these studies and results, please visit the American Music Therapy Association’s “Fact Sheet” page a bibliography of this research. http://www.musictherapy.org/research/factsheets/
Information from the American Music Therapy Association
To download articles from the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) about the benefits of music therapy with the following populations, use the links below.
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Testimonials
The Benefits of Music Therapy
"Ryan Judd was able to motivate our son, Stephen, to do certain things with ease that he had been laboring on in Speech, OT and ABA therapies. I tried Music Therapy because I thought it would be fun for our son, but then I quickly found it to be the most effective therapy we've tried. Our son met his goals quickly, and then generalized the skill so well to other settings. Ryan addressed challenges from social, to academic, to gross motor with quick success. In our son's case, he has so many abilities that go untapped because of uncooperative tendencies. Other therapists would shake their head in amazement as they observed Ryan's work with Stephen and saw him jump to whatever Ryan required of him. It raised the bar for all of us to realize what Stephen could do. I hope other parents don't wait as long as I did to implement this wonderful resource, especially if you have the opportunity to work with Ryan Judd!"
Saundra Shaeffer
Mother of a 6 year old son with autism
Group Music Therapy with Children with Autism
"Ryan Judd worked within our center-based intervention program directing individualized and small group music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. Ryan's passion and creativity engaged the children in every sense of the word, and from there, the learning began. We saw amazing growth and changes among each child as an individual and among the groups of children as a whole. Whether it be through chatting along with a crazy puppet or two or wildly dancing around with friends, Ryan consistently provided intriguing and effective opportunities for learning. Ryan has a truly instinctive way with our kiddos, and his knowledge and inspiration shine through in all that he does."
Gina L. Smith
Executive Director
Creative Perspectives, Inc.
Autism Center of Colorado
Music Therapy in the School Setting
"It has been my pleasure to work with Ryan Judd and some of my special needs students, ages three to six years, over the last three years. Ryan brings an ability to engage children, meeting them at their level, and following their needs and interests. He utilizes theatrics, humor and engaging props in addition to his guitar, to draw the children in to participate in his interactive sessions.
Ryan interacts with staff and seeks to work on goals set by the team and has been key to facilitating the learning of colors, letters and numbers for some children who were slow to respond to other methods of intervention. He has taught social skills, turn taking and greetings, use of names, thank you and good bye. Ryan has drawn non-verbal responses from children who have no language, clearly demonstrating their ability to understand and follow directions. The music therapy sessions with Ryan are energetic, fun and focused on furthering developmental goals. I strongly endorse the inclusion of music therapy in the treatment of young children who encounter challenges in their learning."
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Di Karpman,
Occupational Therapist
Ellis Elementary School, Fremont, NH