2018 in Review

As this year winds down our private practice and studio reflect upon the highlights of 2018. We've experienced continue growth with regards to our service offerings and community partners. 

PMT learned about the following discovery through a client's family. We became an approved vendor through NCSEAA and as a result yielded another outlet for families to access music therapy services in Charlotte, NC!

• North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority - Disability Grant Program has open enrollment in February 2019 for the 2019-20 school year. Please share this opportunity with privately or homeschooled children that are residents of NC and may be eligible to qualify.

Our team of passionate music therapists has continued to grow with our newest team member, Miriam Tart from Charlotte, NC joining us this month. She'll be practicing on Mondays & Thursdays at our clinic in 2019 and we're grateful for her presence.

Becoming an Approved Provider for Certification Board For Music Therapists has been an accomplishment in offering seven trainings through out 2018. These live and online courses were convenient for Charlotteeans and we welcomed attendees from all over the Carolinas. Stay tuned for new and returning course offerings to continue education next year. 

Our clinical staff has experienced another year of conversations and inquiries about music therapy treatment and efficacy. With the countdown to 2019, our team is eager for the next legislative cycle to hopefully receive support for the passing of music therapy licensure in the Carolinas. Here is a linked map to State Task Forces across our country. You may also more through a recent article that included responses by PMT Director/Owner, Gretchen Benner:

• Music Therapy Relatively New to North Carolinas Lacks Licensing Laws from Daily Tar Heel - Journalist Karen Stahl, November 2018

Also to help clarify, music therapy has been a path of college study since 1944. Here's the historical background on music therapy stemming from working with veterans from World War II. Closest training programs to PMT include Converse College - Spartanburg, SC, Charleston Southern University - Charleston, SC, Queens University of Charlotte - Charlotte, NC, and Appalachian State University - Boone, NC.

We are honored to recognize our longstanding partnerships of 3 years of weekly services provided by Ashley Tisdale, MT-BC at Charlotte Rescue Mission - Dove's Nest in Charlotte, NC, almost 4 years at St. John's United Methodist Church Preschool Special Setting Class in Rock Hill, SC led by Gretchen Benner, LMSW, MT-BC, Perrin Jones, MT-BC and currently Melissa Reinhardt, MSEd, MT-BC, plus five summers of music therapy groups incorporated at Camp Boomerang - an inclusion based summer camp through Brace Family YMCA in Matthews, NC facilitated by Gretchen Benner, LMSW, MT-BC, Gabby Ritter, MMT, MT-BC and Melissa Reinhardt, MSEd, MT-BC.

PMT partners as an off-campus clinical training opportunity for undergraduate or equivalency music therapy college students. Our clinicians appreciate the many students who completed course work under their supervision and grew in their understanding from the direct practice work with our clients. As well as the several high school students who interviewed our staff through the year and the volunteers that shared many hours supporting our practice behind the scenes. 

As we conclude our list of brief highlights from 2018, we share a special note commemorating all of the clients, students and their families who have allowed our staff to play a small role in their lives. We are grateful for this year of connections and all of the cherished memories that we have witnessed through our combined years of treatment and music instruction.

Wishing you a safe and healthy start to the New Year. Please feel welcomed to share a highlight that is connected to PMT Clinic & Studio in a comment below: