Do Music Therapists Complete Assessments?

How much does an assessment cost?

Assessments are charged at the same rate as a regular music therapy session.

How long does an assessment last?

Music Therapy assessments typically take place over 2-4 sessions. For many neurodiverse individuals, it can take a few sessions to adjust to the new studio environment and begin building rapport and trust with the therapist. Allowing time for this adjustment is crucial for making a well-rounded and informed decision about continuing sessions.

In the first session, it’s common for individuals to feel dysregulated—they might explore the room, interact with various instruments for only short periods of time, hesitate to enter the space, or even want to leave shortly after arriving. This is natural and quite common. Feeling comfortable in a new environment and with new people takes time.

What happens in assessment sessions?

For the individual, an assessment session feels just like any other music therapy session. During these sessions, our therapists introduce a wide range of musical experiences to see what resonates most with each person. We observe which instruments and activities each individual gravitates towards—whether it’s stringed instruments, keyboards, vocals, or drums. 

We believe that one will integrate new skills at a deeper level if they stem from a place of inner motivation and curiosity.

For example, some individuals may: 

  •  Show a strong preference for rhythm and percussion

  •  Require or enjoy a lot of movement

  •  Prefer to improvise throughout the session

  •  Thrive in structured activities that incorporate visual aids, such as picture cards


Next Steps?

After each session, we update the individual’s assessment form within our cloud platform, UnitusTI. Over the course of 2-3 weeks, we analyze the assessment data to create a personalized goal plan tailored to their unique needs and strengths.


For more information, complete a CONTACT US form to schedule a phone chat with our Executive Director: