To use music to remove physical and cognitive barriers that prevent people with special needs from engaging in essential social interactions and life processes.

That all people will be able to navigate the world in ways appropriate to their potential.

• Music is therapy when appropriately applied.
• Music therapy can help a person with special needs in many ways; fulfill the need to interact, socialize, achieve, learn and improve physicality.
• People with Special Needs are whole people. They have feelings, and face challenges.

The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy, founded by certified music therapist John Carpente, is a nonprofit organization providing music therapy services for people with special needs throughout New York and Long Island. We are dedicated to the health, well-being and discovery of the unique potentials of children, adolescents and adults of all functioning levels through the use of music therapy. We provide onsite and outreach clinical services, and promote the practice of music therapy through lectures, workshops, and clinical presentations. In addition, we are a training facility for music therapy interns and field work students, and provide continuing education for professional music therapists.

Using Music to Change Lives

The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy's approach involves interactive use of live improvised music to stimulate and develop communication, expressiveness, socialization and relationship. First developed by Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins, the approach is based on the belief that "all people have musical sensitivities that can be activated for personal growth and development." -Nordoff-Robbins

The therapist creates music on a lead instrument, generally the guitar or piano, which facilitates an on-going musical and interpersonal relationship. Various percussive instruments, which require no musical ability, are made available to the client. Together, the therapist and client engage in a co-creative musical experience. Through the musical relationship, various musical themes based on here-and-now experiences are created. Within these themes, individualized goals and treatment plans are developed. The approach is unique in its ability to tap into the musical "being" of the client, using music as the primary vehicle for self-awareness, self-expression, and communication.