Drum with Your Heart: Feel your power, communicate, and socialize through music with Emily J. Wangen, Music Therapist

Beat a drum! Experience a powerful method of relaxation during an interactive music session. The music will inspire, enrich and engage your soul.  Drum with your heart and soul to embrace that you are in charge of your feelings.

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY? 

Music Therapy is an evidence based healthcare profession, which utilizes music to engage, support, improve, and enrich the lives of individuals.  Music Therapy is used in hospitals, schools, early intervention programs, wellness, mental health, special populations, rehabilitation, day programs, skilled nursing and memory care.   
 
Music Therapy can be done in a 1:1 setting or in a group setting.  Music Therapy involves live music and may involve recorded music in certain situations such as relaxation or lyric analysis.  Music Therapists engage the client in musical interventions that allow areas for creative expression, verbal and receptive communication, socialization, motor movement, and sensory processing through instrument playing and musical engagement.  Music Therapist's often collaborate with other professionals to facilitate the best care for their clientele.

During the Women’s Health Conference, Emily J. Wangen, MT-BC/L, NMT, NICU-MT, a music therapist in Fargo and Grand Forks, leads a session that allows you to feel your power, engage in communication, and socialize on a musical level with other women through a drumming beat.  Previous experience is not necessary to engage in active drumming, a powerful method of relaxation during Emily’s interactive music session. Your music will inspire, enrich and engage your soul. 

Drumming for empowerment and enrichment is simply one way that music therapists work in the wellness field.  Music therapy can include drum circles, music and imagery, assistive relaxation, and other services to people with Parkinsons, Alzheimers, those with a traumatic brain injury, or issues with mental health or special needs.

Music Therapist's must obtain the MT-BC credential in order to practice in the US; as ND was the first state in the U.S. to obtain a state licensure for music therapy.  Music Therapy is reimbursable by some MN waiver programs, as well as some national insurance policies.

Emily is a Board Certified and Licensed Music Therapist and is the owner of Music Therapy in Motion, LLC.  Emily grew up in Cayuga, ND and was innately musical as a child.  Emily’s passion to help others through music grew deep and was evident at an early age.  Emily, a vocalist, also plays guitar, piano, drums, and has learned to play many other instruments as a result of music therapy. 
Emily created her business, Music Therapy in Motion in 2005, working independently as a music therapist, pioneering the idea of music therapy throughout the Red River Valley through private practice and contracting health care facilities. 
 
Over the past 10 years, music therapy has grown to be an effective and well understood practice in the area.  Music Therapy in Motion, LLC now operates with 6 employees and interns. Emily opened her first music therapy clinic in Grand Forks in July 2015 and just broke ground on a new space in Fargo in April, 2016.  Emily and her team are excited to offer music therapy services to individuals with special needs, mental health, addictions, memory care, skilled nursing, hospice, home health, children, and to all who would like to engage in wellness through music making.

Drumming induces relaxation, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress – give drumming a try at the Women’s Health Conference September 19, 2016.