What Is a Music Therapy Evaluation and Why Does It Matter?

As a clinical intern here at The Sonatina Center, I have just received my first individual client that I see regularly, which means I was tasked with writing my first music therapy evaluation report! A music therapy evaluation addresses a myriad of important aspects of a client’s treatment including:

• General background of the client and intake information

• Domains evaluated during the intake with detailed descriptions

• Summary of evaluation narrative

• Music therapist recommendations

Collecting all of this information is for the purpose of establishing a baseline understanding of the client and their presenting needs, as well as developing a plan for treatment. This evaluation is also written to be shared with the client (or parents/guardians of the client), so that they are acutely aware of what will be happening during music therapy sessions.

This evaluation is a crucial time for the music therapist to take as much of what was observed at the intake as possible and categorize it into functional domains to determine areas of strength and areas that need growth.

Domains Addressed in a Music Therapy Evaluation

• Expressive Communication

• Gross Motor

• Fine Motor

• Receptive Communication/Auditory Perception

• Cognitive

• Social

• Emotional

• Musicality

• Sensory

Each of these domains represent various physical/emotional/social/cognitive functioning and allow the therapist to determine where the client stands in all of these areas. With this information, the therapist can decide what the best treatment plan would include based on findings of these observations, and design interventions to address specific needs. This provides the client/parents/guardians with the information of the therapist's summary of treatment and clinical recommendations.

Curious about whether music therapy is right for you or your child? Get in touch with us to learn more or schedule a free consultation.