Music Therapy

Music therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses music and musical activities to support emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being. At Ott Counseling, services are provided by a board-certified, trauma-informed music therapist, ensuring care that is both clinically grounded and sensitive to the impact of trauma. Guided by our Board-Certified music therapist, clients may use listening, songwriting, rhythm, or discussion of music to explore feelings, regulate emotions, reduce stress, and strengthen coping skills. Music therapy can be helpful for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and mood difficulties, and can be adapted for all ages and abilities.

Music Therapy Buffalo NY Ott Counseling

What is Music Therapy?

Ott Counseling is proud to offer music therapy as an evidence-based approach to support our clients! Our licensed therapists use music to support emotional healing and strengthen the connection between mind and body. During your session, instruments, rhythm, songwriting, guided listening, and improvisation may be used to help you express feelings that you may not have words for. This type of therapy can promote relaxation, regulate the nervous system, and encourage personal insight - especially for individuals coping with trauma, anxiety, or the ability to express how they're feeling. Every music therapy session is tailored to your unique needs, and can complement talk therapy sessions, or be utilized as a stand-alone support.

What Age are your Clients?

Music therapy at Ott Counseling is available for clients of all ages. We work with young children, teens, and adults, tailoring each session to the individual's developmental needs and therapeutic goals. Our music therapists are skilled in adapting sessions to support emotional expression, sensory integration, or trauma recovery across different life stages.

Children 3+

Teens

Adults

Older Adults

We Love Music Therapy For...

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Neuro-diversity

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Anxiety & Stress

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Emotional Expression

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Processing Trauma

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Parent-Child Relationships

Is Music Therapy Right For Me?

Here are a few of the questions that we frequently get asked about Music Therapy. Wondering if this therapy might be helpful for you? Always feel free to contact us with additional questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists.

  • Do I need to be musical to benefit from music therapy?

    Not at all! Music therapy isn’t about talent or performance - it's about using music as a tool for healing, expression, and connection. No musical background is required.

  • What does a typical music therapy session look like?

    Sessions can vary, but they often include listening to music, creating it together, songwriting, or simply using rhythm and sound to explore emotions. Your therapist tailors each session to your comfort level, age & understanding, and goals.

  • What age groups do you work with for music therapy?

    We offer music therapy for children as young as toddlers, teens, and adults of all ages. It’s especially beneficial for kids who respond well to sound and movement, and for adults seeking alternative ways to process emotions.

  • How can music therapy help with anxiety or depression?

    Music has a unique way of helping us access emotions we may not be able to put into words. It can regulate our mood, lower stress levels, and support emotional processing - These qualities make it an excellent modality that may be used in combination with other therapies to support anxiety and depression.

  • Can music therapy be used with other forms of therapy?

    Yes! At Ott Counseling, we often integrate music therapy into broader treatment plans that may include EMDR, Progressive Counting, or MBSR. It’s a flexible, creative complement to many therapeutic approaches.

  • Where do you offer Music Therapy?

    Ott Counseling offers music therapy sessions right in our Buffalo office! We also offer telehealth sessions for anyone in New York State.

  • How does music therapy help children who have trouble communicating?

    For kids who are nonverbal or have difficulty expressing themselves, music can open a path to connection & communication. Through rhythm, melody, and movement, we can help caregivers foster communication and emotional expression in a natural way.

  • Is music therapy covered by my health insurance?

    Coverage can vary depending on your insurance plan, but often music therapy is not covered under typical health insurance plans unless it is deemed as medically necessary. We’re happy to help you understand your benefits and discuss payment options with you - just give us a call

  • How do I know if music therapy is right for me or my child?

    If you're drawn to music or have found comfort in it during hard times, music therapy might be a good fit for you, however this is something you can always discuss in more detail with your therapist during your initial consultation. Music therapy may also be an option that is incorporated with other types of therapy to customize care based on your unique needs.

  • Can music therapy support trauma recovery?

    Yes - music therapy can support trauma healing by providing an outlet for emotions, helping regulate the nervous system, and access deeper emotions in a safe space. Looking to learn more about it? Always feel free to contact us!

Meet Your Therapists

Our Licensed Therapists at Ott Counseling come from all walks of life and embrace a wide variety of specialties. Schedule an appointment with a specific therapist, or feel free to contact us through our website and we can help you find the right fit.

Check out our latest therapy insights on our blog!

Blog Post: How Do I Know Which Kind of Therapy Is Right for My Child? (And Meet Our New Specialist)
By Ott Counseling December 3, 2025
Just like there’s no “one perfect therapy” for adults, there isn’t a single right choice for every child. Learn more about child therapy options in our recent blog!
Click to read blog: Which Trauma Therapy Is Right for Me?
By Ott Counseling October 13, 2025
As therapists, we know that healing from trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all… Here we examine EMDR, Progressive Counting, and Brainspotting as therapy options for trauma.
Click to read blog post: You're Getting on My Nerves(ous) System
By Ott Counseling August 1, 2025
“It’s all in your head.” Ah, yes, the least helpful advice ever given to anyone who has felt anxiety.

Explore Your Therapy Options

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Brainspotting

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Creative & Body-Based Interventions

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DIR®/ Floortime®

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing

Internal Family Systems

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Music Therapy

Nurture and Play

Progressive Counting

Schema Therapy

Theraplay®

A Little Client Love

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5 stars

Ott Counseling has, without mincing words, put in more time, effort, and energy into my mental health above and beyond any other therapist I have seen in decades. Patient, evidence-based, and extremely up-to-date on the latest therapy modalities and research. Would, quite literally, not be here to write this review had it not been for this practice and the people in it.

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5 stars

I have been meeting with [my therapist] and I am REALLY happy with how that's going as well. He is WONDERFUL so far. He is super attentive, empathetic and I have found myself saying 'Exactly!' multiple times. He really seems to get me.

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5 stars

I hope you know how much you helped me through a very tough time. I wish you and Ott Counseling all of the best!

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5 stars

I may never be able to find the words to tell you just how much you saved me, my marriage, and my faith in myself.

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5 stars

You helped me more than you can ever know. You saved our lives quite literally and I can never repay you except to tell you just how much you did for my son and I.

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5 stars

XXXX just loved [Ott Counseling]. She was super nervous all day yesterday and told us it would be a one and done thing. She said (before the appointment) even if she ever did do it again, it would be virtual. Well, she came out of the room and said she WOULD be doing it again, AND she wanted to do it in person lol. She was bummed she has to wait so long until her next appointment. It sounds like she felt very comfortable opening up to [her].

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5 stars

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THE FIRST POSITIVE PERSON IN MY LIFE!

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5 stars

Of all of the people in my life who have helped me, you made the biggest difference. You repeatedly supported + uplifted me. Thank you.