About CVMT

Central Virginia Music Therapy’s mission is to foster healing and growth in the central Virginia community through quality music therapy services. Stephanie works with clients to pursue their goals using research-based music experiences with these values at the forefront of the care provided:

• Dignity – Treating every client as worthy of honor and respect in their humanity.
• Integrity – Maintaining an ethical relationship with clients that includes
  reliability, honesty, transparancy, authenticity, and necessary boundaries.
• Creativity – Using imaginative ideas in the art and the science of music therapy
  to find the most effective route and supportive process to the client’s goals.
• Compassion – Providing empathetic care to create a therapeutic environment
  and relationship in which clients feel safety and a sense of belonging to support
  hope and resilience.

CVMT values the diversity of human beings and does not discriminate based on race, age, religion, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, sex or gender identity. CVMT works and advocates to honor and affirm peoples’ and communities’ needs, especially those marginalized by society.

Stephanie is an experienced board-certified music therapist and music therapy program director. She has an advanced certification in NICU music therapy as well as extensive training in public speaking and in working with people receiving palliative and hospice care. Stephanie also has a strong performance arts and program design background. Her other specialties include elder care, working with those receiving cancer treatment and with cancer survivors, with caregivers, and mentorship to music therapy students.

Stephanie’s passion for music’s ability to connect and heal individuals and communities guided her to a career in music therapy. She is dedicated to meeting individual, family, group, and community needs through providing compassionate and evidence-based music therapy services and presentations. Stephanie’s empathetic and flexible approach allows her to support clients both in the moment and long-term in their goals, with an emphasis on honoring client autonomy.

Stephanie earned her Music Therapy degree from Shenandoah University in 2009. She began her undergraduate studies as a musical theatre major before changing her major to music therapy. Her love of the performance arts contributes to the confidence and enjoyment she has in providing presentations and workshops to increase public awareness, education, and access to music therapy.

Stephanie has provided music therapy to pre- through high school-aged students in educational and community settings and in a variety of healthcare settings. This includes in a residence with adults with physical and developmental disabilities, and with children and adults hospitalized for surgery, cancer care, cardiac and neurological issues, intensive care, palliative, hospice, NICU infants and their caregivers, and adults with mental health concerns. She has served as a clinical supervisor for music therapy interns and music therapist colleagues.

Stephanie works to honor and respect clients’ culture, values, beliefs, and/or spirituality to foster inclusivity and belonging. In her practice, Stephanie draws from several psychology perspectives, including humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, cross-cultural, and biological approaches.

Outside of work, you’ll find Stephanie at a concert or a musical, reading, going for a run, or spending time with her loved ones.