Q: Why is it important to work with a Board-Certified Music Therapist?

A: Whether you're seeking music therapy or music lessons for a child with special needs, working with someone who has specialized training makes all the difference.

At A Therapeutic Melody, sessions are led by Alice Chiang, MA, MT-BC, a Board Certified Music Therapist. This credential, awarded by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), means Alice has passed a national certification exam and is trained to use music in a clinical and therapeutic way.

Alice supports your child’s music and non-music goals, including:

• Emotion regulation

• Communication

• Attention

• Self-expression

• Cognitive skill

• eye-hand coordination

• social skills

• fine/ gross motor skills

Even something as simple as playing to a beat engages neurological coordination, motor planning, and sensory integration. Alice tailors each session to your child’s unique needs and responses.

Q: How long are the classes?

A: Most students start with a 30-minute weekly session. Over time, some may extend to 45 or 60 minutes, depending on:

• Your child’s needs

• Progress in sessions

• Schedule availability

Some students benefit from twice-weekly sessions for additional support and consistency.

Q: What happens in a typical session?

A 30-minute session might include:

• 10–15 minutes on the piano or guitar (depends on each child’s attention span).

• Singing, drumming, and rhythm-based musical exploration

• Built-in breaks for sensory needs

Even playful musical interventions are powerful work for a developing brain—and all needs are supported with compassion.

Q: Can I use Regional Center funding for music therapy?

A: Yes! Music therapy is considered a non-medical service by the Regional Center and can be funded through:

• Social Recreation (under the Exemption Program)

• Self-Determination Program (SDP)

Here’s how it works:

• Social Recreation provides access to non-medical supports like music therapy or music lessons. If approved in your child’s plan (IPP), you may be able to pay upfront and get reimbursed—even if your provider isn’t vendored. This process is often called the Exemption Program, which allows families to use qualified, non-vendored providers for approved services.

• SDP gives families flexibility to use their budget for community-based services—even if the provider is not a Regional Center vendor.

💡 A Therapeutic Melody is not a direct vendor, but we work closely with many families who receive support through these programs. Parents make payments directly to A Therapeutic Melody, and we’re happy to provide invoices and documentation for reimbursement or approval..

Q: Can I get reimbursed for music therapy sessions?

A: Many families are able to receive partial or full reimbursement through the following options:

1. Regional Center

Start by reaching out to your local Regional Center.

• Coverage varies: Some centers fund "Music Therapy," while others only cover "Music Lessons."

• Let us know the approved terminology—we’ll tailor your invoice to match.

• Parents often act as “mini-vendors”, paying upfront and requesting reimbursement.

Common funding paths through the Regional Center include:

• Exemption Program – A simple and widely used option that allows families to access non-vendored services.

• Self-Determination Program (SDP) – A person-centered funding model that gives families more flexibility in choosing services that meet their child’s needs.

Not all Regional Centers offer the same programs, so it's always best to contact your case manager to ask what’s available.

2. Health Savings Accounts (HSA or FSA)

Many families use their HSA or FSA to pay for music therapy services.

• We’ll provide an invoice with a brief service description that can be submitted for reimbursement.

• Check with your HSA/FSA provider to confirm eligibility.

3. Private Insurance (less common)

Some families have successfully received reimbursement through private insurance, although this is less common.

• We do NOT bill insurance directly.

• We can provide a receipt upon request.

• Alice’s Board Certification number can be included if it helps your submission.

4. Tax-Deductible Medical Expense

If music therapy isn’t covered by your insurance, you may be able to claim the cost as a tax-deductible medical expense, which could help reduce your overall tax burden.

What We Provide

Regardless of the reimbursement method, we always offer:

• An invoice

• A brief description of the service

• Optional inclusion of board certification details

While I’m not a reimbursement expert, these suggestions are based on what other therapists and families have found helpful.

Disclaimer: We share this information to support families in exploring potential pathways to access music therapy services. Every family’s situation is unique, so we encourage you to connect directly with your Regional Center or service coordinator to confirm what’s available in your case. While we’re always happy to provide general guidance, please note that A Therapeutic Melody is not responsible for determining eligibility, guaranteeing reimbursement, or interpreting official policies. Thank you for understanding!

Q: What is the process for signing up?

A: Getting started is simple! You can:

• Click the “Contact Me” button on our website to share your child’s details and preferred schedule

• Email us directly at alice@atherapeuticmelody.com

• Or fill out the form below and hit submit

Once I receive your information, I’ll reach out to schedule a free consultation. If it feels like a good fit for both of us, we’ll book your first session and get the music started!

We’re here to answer any questions and support you every step of the way.

Q: Do you work with non-verbal kids?

A: Absolutely! A Therapeutic Melody warmly welcomes both verbal and non-verbal students. If your child uses an AAC device or a letter board, they’re encouraged to bring it to sessions. Music is a universal language, and our focus is on creating a safe, joyful, and expressive space for every child.

Q: Do you offer after-school or weekend sessions?

A: Yes! We offer:

• Weekday after-school sessions

• Saturday lessons

🎵 These time slots are popular and may fill up quickly—early inquiries are encouraged.

Q: Do you offer music groups?

A: Yes, we do! We’re currently offering a Family-Centered Music Group—a small and supportive music group designed specifically for you (the parent), your child, and the therapist. While it’s an intimate setting, it still meets the criteria for a group model, with the added benefits of individualized support and meaningful social interaction.

These sessions focus on building communication, emotional connection, and social engagement through musical interventions like singing, movement, and instrument play. Your presence not only supports your child’s participation but also strengthens the parent-child bond and helps develop your child’s social and communication skills through shared music-making.