aLYson zavestosky, MT-bc  

(She/Her)

Board-Certified Music Therapist

Ages I Work With:  Children, Pre-Teens, Older Adults

I’m Passionate About Working With:

  • Older adults with dementia

  • Older adult groups in community settings (assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, etc.)

  • Early childhood groups

  • Young children and pre-teens looking for outlets to express big feelings

i believe…

  • Therapy is a place to learn, process, and grow, it does not mean “fixing” something, but rather can offer a variety of avenues of self expression and exploration

  • Therapeutic relationships should be patient and compassionate

  • Music is a powerful tool that can link senses and memories

  • Music can create new and lasting connections in all domains - socially, cognitively, emotionally, physically, etc.

  • Clients should feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves

  • The therapeutic process is ever-evolving based on a clients changing wants and needs

  • Music and art can offer an alternative to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words

  • Clients and families should play a role in creating a treatment plan.

IN MY SESSIONs I LIKE TO:

  • Use music, movement, singing, instrument play, art, and songwriting to process and express emotions 

  • Emphasize autonomy by allowing clients to make choices and contribute to the therapeutic process

  • Explore a variety of creative mediums and help clients discover new ways to express themselves

Aly, a white woman with waist-length light brown hair, is seated with their hands at their waste and gazing upwards at the camera while smiling. They are wearing jeans, a maroon sweater, and green jacket.

  • Hello! I’m Aly, and I’m one of the Board Certified Music Therapists here at the Sonatina Center. I aim to bring patience and compassion into each and every session. This allows me to be present for those who may need a calm, kind, and caring presence in their life. I always try to take the lessons I learn from life and implement them into my practice. I love to hike because it has taught me how to take a breath and put one foot in front of the other. This life lesson is how I approach my clients. If we can take a breath together and see eye to eye, a relationship can grow.

    I have worked in a variety of settings, and especially find joy in working in early childhood as well as working with those who have Alzheimers and dementia. I love that working with kiddos constantly reminds me of the importance of finding joy in the simple pleasures of life! Working with folks with Alzheimer’s and dementia has opened me up to the many channels of communication; I have understood fear, love, joy, contentment, and more all just from facial expressions and body language. I’m passionate about finding common ground and meeting folks wherever they are at, whether that be my reality or theirs. Within sessions I may use structured activities or improvisational activities based on my clients needs.

    I earned my bachelor’s of music in music therapy from University of the Pacific in 2018 and became a Board Certified Music Therapist in 2019.

  • MT-BC: Board-Certified Music Therapist

  • Clients and families play an active role in the therapeutic process. I am collaborative in my practice and work with families and clients to create a comprehensive plan that works for my clients. I put an emphasis on the importance of client involvement in structuring a treatment plan. I want to structure a treatment plan based on the wants and needs of my clients, not just what others see fit. I hope to give clients tools they can utilize in everyday life.