Music Therapy

UGA Music Therapy

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

Music Therapy is an allied health profession that utilizes evidence-based practice, using music uas a tool to address non-musical goals. 

WHO ARE MUSIC THERAPISTS?

Music therapy can only be provided by a board-certified music therapist who has:

  • Completed an approved music therapy university program
  • Obtained 1,200 hours of supervised clinical placement 
  • Passed the board certification exam given by the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT), gaining the MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified) credential.
  • In the state of Georgia, music therapists must also obtain state licensure, gaining the LPMT (Licensed Professional Music Therapist) credential. 

WHY IS MUSIC THERAPY BENEFICIAL?

Research has shown music therapy interventions can be beneficial in addressing:

  • Sensorimotor function
  • Communication needs
  • Social behaviors
  • Cognitive skills
  • Emotional health 

HOW DOES MUSIC THERAPY WORK?

Participation in music therapy can include listening to music or actively engaging in music making, movement to music, or songwriting. Music therapists must be proficient in voice, piano, and guitar, and commonly use these instruments in music therapy sessions. 

WHERE DO MUSIC THERAPISTS WORK?

MT-BCs work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to:

  • Assisted Living Communities
  • Hospice Organizations
  • Medical Hospitals
  • Mental Health Agencies
  • Non-Profit Organizations 
  • Private Practice 
  • School Systems 
  • Rehabilitation Facilities 

Academic Programs

Personnel

Ellyn H. Evans

Associate Professor of Music Therapy

Ellyn H. Evans, PhD, MT-BC, (NICU-MT) is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy. She received her Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Music Therapy (2020) and M.M. in Music Therapy from Florida State University (2013).  She received her B.M. in Music Therapy from The University of Alabama (2011). She is a Fellow of the National…

Sally Ann Nichols

Academic Professional/Clinical Supervisor in Music Therapy

Sally Ann Nichols, MM, MT-BC is an Academic Professional / Clinical Supervisor in Music Therapy. She received her M.M. from Florida State University (2018) and B.M. from Belmont University (2016). She has advanced training in neurologic music therapy (NMT-F) and neonatal intensive care unit music therapy (NICU-MT). Before joining UGA, Sally Ann…

Jennifer Denk Stull

Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Jennifer Denk Stull, MM, LPMT, MT-BC is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy. She received her M.M. in Music Therapy (2020) and B.M. in Music Therapy (2010) from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Her research and teaching interests include music therapy with older adults, and exploring music therapy as psychosocial…