Music Therapy in the Waynesville Schools

Music Therapy has been around since world war 2; helping people with social, emotional, cognitive and even physical needs. In its second year of a music therapy program, the Waynesville R-VI Schools district has a Certified Music Therapist, Courtney Munton, that rotates through all of the campuses so students can all experience the program.
Dr. Elizabeth Washington is the Director of Special Services with the Waynesville R-VI Schools district and she talks about the program.

Waynesville school district has partnered with “Musical Bridges” from Springfield to bring Certified Music Therapist Courtney Munton on board to rotate throughout most of the Waynesville R-VI schools.
Students are evaluated to help them chose what instrument would fit them best, and set goals to reach through the classes. Certified Music Therapist Courtney Munton implements current, new songs that students may know already.

According to the American Music Therapy Associations website, music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.