Have questions about music therapy, DIRFloortime®, or therapeutic services? Below are answers to common questions about Back Mountain Music Therapy, our approach, treatment options, and who may benefit from our services.
Back Mountain Music Therapy, The Heyward Rooms LLC provides individualized, relationship-based services for children, adolescents, adults, and families in Dallas, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Kingston, Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, and surrounding Northeast Pennsylvania communities.
Music Therapy FAQs
What is Back Mountain Music Therapy?
Back Mountain Music Therapy is a professional, certified therapeutic clinic that uses music, play, and relationships to address the needs of individuals and/or families, caregivers, and family dyads. We focus on developing self-regulation, emotional and social skills, communication, and relationships.
Learn more about music therapy treatment and how individualized musical experiences can be incorporated into a person’s therapeutic goals.
Who can benefit from Back Mountain Music Therapy?
Not only do children, teens, and adults benefit, but so do their families and the caregivers of individuals who seek our assistance. Our specialized training and certifications in DIR/Floortime (a developmental, bottom-up, non-pathological approach to working with individuals by looking at what they show us about themselves through how they relate) and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy, also a bottom-up, non-pathological approach to working with individuals, families, or family dyads by looking at what they show us about how they have learned to relate to and see themselves and others they interact with) give us a more expansive yet direct route to understanding what is going on. We work within the context in which the person lives.
Does someone need to know how to play an instrument to participate in Back Mountain Music Therapy sessions?
Due to our specialized training in improvisational music therapy, DIR/Floortime, and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), we are trained to move in and out of the music as we work. We have been trained to look at, and therefore work with, what others may call “stims, random noise, unstructured play, or escapism” to determine what these “behaviors” are doing for the client and how to utilize those strengths to help the individual relate.
What happens during a Back Mountain Music Therapy session?
Generally, we work with what an individual, a family, or a family dyad brings to the session in the here and now. We often begin the connection by mirroring back to the client what they are showing us and bringing to us. This mirrored tune, or “theme,” then becomes part of the relationship and often serves as the context in which therapy takes place. This “theme tune,” based on what the client shows us, provides familiarity for the individual client. The theme tune also mirrors the client’s emotional music, providing not only the safety of knowing where they are and what is happening in each moment, but also music that meets the client where they are emotionally.
How is Music Therapy different from Music lessons?
Music lessons are about learning how to play an instrument or read music. Music therapy is another method of relating to the whole person and helping the individual or family grow in relating, regulating, and attending. Explore all of our music therapy services to learn more about the areas we support.
Explore all of our music therapy services to learn more about the areas we support.
DIRFloortime® FAQs
What is DIRFloortime®?
DIRFloortime® is a developmental, individual-difference, and relationship-based approach that focuses on building meaningful relationships, emotional connections, communication, engagement, and developmental skills. Back Mountain Music Therapy incorporates DIRFloortime® principles into its relationship-based approach. Visit our DIRFloortime® page to learn more about the approach.
Back Mountain Music Therapy incorporates DIRFloortime® principles into its relationship-based approach. Visit our DIRFloortime® page to learn more about the approach.
Who can benefit from DIRFloortime® work with music therapy?
DIRFloortime® may be used with individuals who are seeking growth in emotional or self-regulation, relating, attending, and engaging with others. As the individual climbs the developmental ladder, they also begin to develop abilities in social problem-solving and logical thinking.
How does DIRFloortime® work with music therapy?
Music can provide a motivating and engaging way to support connection, communication, shared attention, emotional expression, and interaction. DIRFloortime® principles can be incorporated into music-based therapeutic experiences to support individualized developmental and relational goals.
Is DIRFloortime® only for children with autism?
No. While DIRFloortime® is commonly associated with autism and developmental differences, its developmental and relationship-based principles may be applied to individuals with a variety of communication, emotional, social, sensory, and developmental needs.
Developmental, Behavioral & Emotional Support FAQs
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help with anxiety?
Back Mountain Music Therapy looks at what the client is bringing into the room in the here and now. As our clients demonstrate how they express themselves, Back Mountain Music Therapy looks at the process through which anxiety has evolved. We help structure sessions, both in and out of the music, to develop these areas so that agitation, high arousal, and uncertainty associated with anxiety can be regulated.
Learn more about how Back Mountain Music Therapy approaches anxiety, behavioral, and emotional difficulties.
Can music therapy help with behavioral difficulties?
Behavioral difficulties are often symptoms of dysregulation and overwhelm. As we work with what the individual brings into the present moment, we are able to help the individual co-regulate with the therapist and grow in the areas in which the behaviors are being exhibited.
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help children with developmental differences?
Back Mountain Music Therapy is unique to this county and surrounding counties in its approach to working with children with developmental delays. BMMT does not focus on “attaining skills” but rather on growth and development. We look at where the child is and what they show us about themselves through their sounds, actions, and play. We begin by joining the child where they are and following the interests they show us. We look at how their interests are serving them and how we can relate to the child, creating a sense of warmth through connection and helping the child develop by utilizing their strengths to build weaker areas. When we hear things like, “They could if they wanted to; they just don’t prefer this activity,” we ask: What makes the child averse to these things? Is it too far up developmentally? Are there other things that need to develop first? Is the child overwhelmed? We believe that the child is always giving us clues and showing us things that can help guide their development.
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help with Autism?
Back Mountain Music Therapy looks at a child’s sensory profile and where they are in their development. Through joyful, playful interactions, BMMT helps children develop better regulation, while therapy helps improve focus, attention, and communication. We develop the whole child. Our mission in relating to children, as the DIRFloortime® approach teaches, is to “be the best toy in the room.” We follow the individual’s interests and work to make the interaction as enticing and inviting as possible. Treatment is tailored to the individual rather than based solely on a diagnosis.
Focus, Attention & Engagement FAQs
Can music therapy help improve focus and attention?
Through our unique DIRFloortime® approach to music therapy, Back Mountain Music Therapy has learned to join individuals through music, play, and relating, incorporating rhythm and pacing. We structure each session around what the individual demonstrates to us, supporting their individual differences and strengths throughout the process. We recognize that the ways individuals have learned to survive, cope, and regulate are valid responses to how they experience the world. Back Mountain Music Therapy begins by supporting each individual where they are. Read more about music therapy for increasing focus.
Read more about music therapy for increasing focus.
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help with ADHD?
Back Mountain Music Therapy helps individuals with sensory processing challenges that can make self-regulation and attention difficult. We begin by supporting what is already working for the client. As clients become more engaged through joyful connection and participation, we continue to guide deeper development so that it is organically achieved by the individual.
Neurological Disorders & Brain Injury FAQs
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help individuals with neurological disorders?
Back Mountain Music Therapy also works with individuals with neurological disorders. BMMT works with individuals who experience developmental, regulatory, communication, social, emotional, sensory, behavioral, or relational challenges. The approach considers each person’s developmental level and individual differences as we work to help individuals relate to the world with greater ease. Learn more about music therapy for neurological disorders.
Learn more about music therapy for neurological disorders.
Can music therapy help after a brain injury?
Back Mountain Music Therapy also works with individuals with brain injuries. BMMT works with individuals who experience developmental, regulatory, communication, social, emotional, sensory, behavioral, or relational challenges. The approach considers each person’s developmental level and individual differences as we work to help individuals relate to the world with greater ease. Visit our page about brain injury and trauma therapy for more information.
Visit our page about brain injury and trauma therapy for more information.
What types of Neurological Conditions can benefit from Back Mountain Music Therapy’s Therapeutic Work?
BMMT works with individuals who experience developmental, regulatory, communication, social, emotional, sensory, behavioral, or relational challenges. The approach considers each person’s developmental level and individual differences as we work to help individuals relate to the world with greater ease.
EXPLORE NEUROLOGICAL MUSIC THERAPY
Trauma & Emotional Regulation FAQs
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help with trauma?
Due to our specialized training in improvisational music therapy, DIRFloortime®, and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), we are trained to move in and out of the music as we work. We have been trained to look at, and therefore work with, what others may call “stims, random noise, unstructured play, or escapism” to determine what these “behaviors” are doing for the client and how to utilize those strengths to help the individual relate, regulate, attend, and communicate.
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help reduce trauma symptoms?
Trauma symptoms can be a manifestation of dysregulation. The therapist works with what others may call “stims, random noise, unstructured play, or escapism” to determine what these “behaviors” are doing for the client and how to utilize those strengths to help the individual relate, regulate, attend, and communicate. As the individual moves up the developmental ladder, this process supports greater regulation. Learn more about decreasing trauma symptoms through music therapy.
Learn more about decreasing trauma symptoms through music therapy.
Movement & Motor Skills FAQs
Can Back Mountain Music Therapy help with movement and motor control?
Through our unique DIRFloortime® approach to music therapy, Back Mountain Music Therapy has learned to join individuals through music, play, and relating, incorporating rhythm and pacing. Through this approach, Back Mountain Music Therapy can help support movement by connecting physical actions with emotional engagement, social interaction, and sensory processing. BMMT uses play-based, individual-led activities to encourage motor planning, coordination, and body awareness. Learn more about music therapy for improving movement control.
Learn more about music therapy for improving movement control.
Why is rhythm useful at Back Mountain Music Therapy?
Rhythm provides structure, repetition, pacing, and timing. In our developmental approach, rhythm can be a unifying factor in the process of improving regulation, attention, and engagement.
Back Mountain Music Therapy Treatment FAQs
How is treatment individualized?
Back Mountain tailors its treatment to each individual based on what the client reveals during sessions, both in and out of the music. Each session is individualized to that person’s strengths, where they are on the developmental ladder, and their developmental needs. Everyone’s goals are written uniquely for them, rather than being based on a dropdown list, average, or funding protocol.
How are therapy goals determined?
In individual therapy, goals are determined by each individual’s strengths, their position on the developmental ladder, and their developmental needs. In dyadic or family therapy, each person’s strengths and individual differences are considered and incorporated into the therapeutic process. Each member comes into therapy and reveals their own processes to us. We then serve as process guides. We do not pathologize in our work; instead, we work to understand each individual’s process within the group and guide the group (parent-child, parent-parent, etc.) toward better relating.
How often are people seen for music therapy?
Back Mountain Music Therapy finds that consistency leads to the best results for our clients’ investment. Therefore, we see clients weekly. Our clients’ results are what give Back Mountain Music Therapy its reputation for excellence. Learn more about music therapy treatment.
Learn more about music therapy treatment.
Music Therapy in Northeast Pennsylvania FAQs
Where is Back Mountain Music Therapy located?
Back Mountain Music Therapy, The Heyward Rooms LLC, is located in Dallas, Pennsylvania, and serves individuals and families throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.
What areas does Back Mountain Music Therapy serve?
Back Mountain Music Therapy serves clients from Dallas, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Lehman, Sweet Valley, Hazleton, Pittston, and other Luzerne County towns and townships. Some of our clients travel from Wyoming County, Lackawanna County, Monroe County, Pike County, and other surrounding Northeast PA communities.
Visit our Music Therapy in Northeast PA page to learn more about the communities we serve.
How do I get started with Back Mountain Music Therapy?
If you have questions about our services, the best way to find out more is to call Back Mountain Music Therapy. The owner, Antoinette Morrison, can tell you more about what is available specifically for your individual. She will take the time to answer any questions you may have, with no commitment to attend. You can reach us at 570-574-1707.
Learn More About Back Mountain Music Therapy
If you would like to learn more about Back Mountain Music Therapy, our approach, services, and experience, explore these resources:
About Back Mountain Music Therapy | Our Services | Testimonials | BMMT Blog