What we do.
MUSIC Therapy.
So, what exactly is music therapy? Like any other type of therapy, music therapy’s goal is to improve a person’s mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Music therapy sessions are led by a board-certified music therapist. Just like a psychologist, nurse, or teacher, music therapists are trained and licensed professionals.
A session might involve writing music, moving to music, singing, listening to music, or learning to use music to reduce stress. Music therapy goals might include helping a person to reduce stress, anxiety, or depression. Other goals may be to help a person work on their communication and social skills. Music therapy can even be used to help with physical pain and improve mobility. It all depends on what a person wants their goals to be. Sessions can be done one-on-one or in a group setting.
Music therapy is one of those topics that is best to understand if we also talk about what it is not. Music therapy is not music lessons. Although music education is invaluable, the point of music therapy is not to learn different scales, chords, theory, or how to play a particular instrument. Sure, you may learn a thing or two about these things while in a session, but the goal of a therapy session is not to master an instrument. In fact, you don’t even have to play an instrument or sing in a music therapy session. You may just want to explore different pieces of music or songs that have meaning to you or work on expressing yourself through lyric writing.
Music therapy is also not just for kids. We’re not sure why a lot of people think this because music itself is definitely not reserved for children. Music therapy is for any age and any musical ability. You can find music therapists working with babies in the neonatal unit, as well as in session with folks in their 90s. Of course, a session with a kid is going to look different than one for an adult just like any other type of therapy session would.
CONSULTATIONS/
TRAININGS
Paragon offers a variety of consultation work that centers around disability, children’s behavioral health, and social issues. Looking for an IEP consultation to address concerning behaviors at school that focuses on connections and neuroscience over compliance? We got you covered. Loren has lived experience with concerning behaviors and IEPs because he was a kid who had both. A lot of the stuff that schools and parents are doing just isn’t working. This isn’t because teachers and parents aren’t compassionate and caring; it’s just that a lot of the things we learned to do growing up just don’t work. Let Paragon give you some new skills that do work.
Looking for someone to assist you, your school, or your company with learning about government programs available to support people with disabilities and their families? Paragon’s over 30 years of combined experience in the social work field means that we have a deep understanding of how “the system” works and we know exactly how to navigate it. We know that things shouldn’t be this complicated, but we are here to empower people and organizations with the knowledge they need to live the most independent lives possible.
Paragon also offers trainings for schools and organizations both in-person and virtually. We have all sat in bad trainings, trying to keep our eyes open as another slide passes. Paragon doesn’t do trainings like this. We focus on highly interactive and engaging trainings that bring the audience in. Just like in therapy, we believe trainings to be collaborative experiences, too. Paragon has experience with training educators, case managers, non-profit staff, advocacy groups, and disability support organizations.
