Music Therapy Heals in Wonderful Ways

Maryville's music therapy program is fully accredited, and the only school in the area where it is offered.

Music therapy is on a lot of radars these days, partly due to the impressive improvement Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has shown using the approach after being shot earlier this year. Town and Country’s Maryville University has offered the field of study since 1972. Music therapists uses music for therapeutic goals, just like an occupational or speech therapist. “Music and speech have a lot in common,” said Cynthia Briggs, director of Maryville’s music therapy program. “Techniques using music and singing are helping (Giffords) rebuild her language.” Briggs said Giffords can understand speech, but she’s working on speaking herself. She’s also using music to help regain her coordination. “Humans are so rhythmic that when we set …

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