Music Therapy Centre
In addition to programs funded across the country, the Music Therapy Trust also operates a Music Therapy Centre in Toronto, Ontario. At the Music Therapy Centre, we offer affordable, accessible music therapy sessions, delivered by accredited Music Therapists. Our Centre is all about making music therapy available in the community.
At the Music Therapy Trust, we want to make music therapy more accessible. Our Centre provides a space to offer music therapy sessions at affordable prices. One day, and with your help, we’d like to open more centres like this one in other parts of the country.
What happens at the Music Therapy Centre
Group music therapy sessions:
Music therapy is offered in a group format to those for whom this is the best fit. We work with a broad range of groups – from moms with toddlers born with physical disabilities to support groups for caregivers, or youth with autism – where participants have common challenges or goals that can be helped through music therapy. If your community organization would like to create a group that could benefit from music therapy, we can provide sessions at the Music Therapy Centre or another location.
Individual music therapy sessions:
Sometimes, one-on-one support is the best form of music therapy to help meet your needs and reach your goals. In this case, we offer individually tailored sessions, working directly with a music therapist at our Centre or your location if required.
Guided Imagery and Music:
At the Centre, we also offer Guided Imagery and Music; a form of music psychotherapy. In this form of music therapy, we listen to specially recorded music programs to help you explore your consciousness through imagery experiences.
As with all music therapy sessions, the goals of the therapy offered at the Centre depend on your needs and challenges. They can range from increased mobility, to improved communication, to reduced anxiety or exploring personal issues.
MEET OUR
CERTIFIED MUSIC THERAPISTS
Emily Stegweit
BMT, MTA, MT-BC
After graduating from the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Emily went on to complete her clinical music therapy internship at Baycrest Health Sciences, where she enjoyed working with older adults in long-term care and hospital settings. In addition to geriatric populations, Emily also has experience working with individuals with developmental and physical challenges, mental health diagnoses, and in palliative care. Emily uses a person-centered approach to practice and strives to create opportunities for growth, healing, and empowerment for each of her clients.
Dan Bevan-Baker
B.Mus, MA, MTA
After completing a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from McGill University, Dan obtained a Master of Arts in Music Therapy at Concordia University. He predominantly works with children and youth with behavioural/emotional challenges, individuals with mental health challenges, individuals with developmental/physical disabilities, older adults with cognitive challenges, and individuals in palliative care. Dan’s approach stems from humanistic, feminist, and Community Music Therapy models in which each person’s unique needs are addressed within a supportive, inclusive, and self-empowering space. Dan also sings in the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir as a bass lead and enjoys performing opera, folk, musical theatre, and improv!
Mia Saadon
GrDip., MTA
Mia received her Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy at Concordia University in 2018 and is currently in the process of completing her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at the same university. She has experience supporting older adults living with dementia and stroke, children and adults with developmental challenges, and mental health for a variety of populations. Mia utilizes a humanistic, client-centred approach to music therapy. She feels that the connection between client and therapist is the most essential ingredient for effective therapy.
Chrissy Pearson
BMT, RP, MTA, FAMI
Chrissy has been practicing in various settings since 2002 including long-term care, group homes, hospital acute care, palliative care, public schools, community groups, in a women’s centre with children who have witnessed and/or experienced violence in their families, and with adults using the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. Chrissy is a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery and is a certified internship supervisor. In addition to providing music therapy sessions, Chrissy is also the Clinical Manager of the Music Therapy Centre. She believes that music within a therapeutic relationship can provide a foundation for growth, transitions, and healing.
Trish MacAulay
BMT, MTA, RP, FAMI
Trish has been practicing music therapy since 2006. She has experience working in adult mental health (schizophrenia and mood disorders), dementia care, and Veterans care. Trish uses a client-centered, humanistic approach; one underlying common goal in her approach is working with her clients in moving them towards positive change. Trish is a Registered Psychotherapist and is certified in The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music.
Chrystalla Paleshi
MTA, NMT-F, MA CPIN
Chrystalla graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2016 and completed a master’s degree in Music and Health with a Collaborative Program in Neuroscience in 2018, putting an emphasis on balancing an evidence-based, quantitative approach, with one that is client-centered and qualitative. She enjoys incorporating empathy and humour into every session. Chrystalla has experience using music therapy techniques with goals in the cognitive, motor, speech and language, and mental health domains. As she is fluent in English, French, and Greek, she is able to provide services in a variety of languages for clients, and enjoys learning preferred music from other cultures in order to best treat clients.
Emily Mostratos
MTA, MT-BC
Emily has been practicing music therapy since 2014. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities in various settings including early intervention, acquired brain injury, disability, and mental health. Emily utilizes a humanistic, strength-based approach to support and create opportunities for personal growth and development.
We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support! As a 2021 Resilient Communities Fund recipient, the MTC has been able to safely support over 400 clients through the last year of the pandemic, and expand service delivery throughout the Toronto community.