Our projects

Autisme Montréal is a non-profit organization that strives to improve the lives of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as those of their family members.

During the COVID19 pandemic, the Institute developed a partnership with Autisme Montréal and launched its 1st pilot project with free online music therapy services, offered to autistic children, adolescents and adults. Two music therapists from the Institute provided individual music therapy sessions, on a weekly basis; their clients showed a   sustained  participation, confirming the importance and positive impact of those services.  Starting in May 2022, the option of in-person services was proposed: some participants then chose to come to the Institute to continue their sessions, while others preferred to continue with online services, a clear indication of the added value of the flexibility offered by hybrid services.

During the last phase of the project, a minimal financial contribution has been requested to the participants, and they respected very well the new financial modalities put in place. 

This pilot project ended in August 2023.  It has been a rewarding collaboration, and we are pleased to share the letter of appreciation (in French) that we have received form Autisme Montréal. 

Located in Montreal, Autisme sans limites provides services to young adults with autism. In the fall of 2020, they reached out to the Institute to explore music therapy services for their clientele.

In the context of COVID19 pandemic, an online group session was offered in March 2021. This participative workshop, led by two of the Institute’s music therapists, gave the organization and a dozen of their clients the opportunity to experience and discover the potential benefits of music therapy.  

When the Institute reopened its premises in May 2022, the "Introductory workshop" was offered again, in-person, at the Institute.  

Located in Montreal, the Association québécoise des personnes aphasiques (AQPA) offers support and services to people with aphasia, and also to their caregivers through the Service d’aide aux proches d’une personne aphasique (SAPPA).

After hearing an enthusiastic testimony from a caregiver having benefited from music therapy services offered by the Institute, discussions led to a partnership between the 2 entities, and to the development of this pilot project.  Since September 2023, group sessions have been offered in person, at the Institute, to dyads composed of persons with aphasia and their caregivers, in addition to online sessions devoted only to the caregivers. In the context of this project, a speech therapist and a music therapist work as a team and use music to provide moments of well being and sharing, of verbal and nonverbal communication, of listening and support. 

Offered to a limited number of participants, and for a period of 3 to 6 months, the objective of the project is to give them the opportunity to experiment music therapy “hands on”, which will provide AQPA concrete information to evaluate its potential benefits. 

 

Located in Montreal, the "Association québécoise des parents et amies de la personne atteinte de maladie mentale" (AQPAMM) offers information, training and support to help support the wellbeing of caregivers of individuals living with a mental health issue. 

During the pandemic, the Institute offered free music therapy services to caregivers of family members with mental illness. The project included 10 online group sessions that took place every other week. 

This positive initiative sparked interest for future services, on-line or in-person at the Institute.

This project represents a 2nd collaboration with Hay Doun.  In the context of a series of Wellbeing Workshops through the Arts, a music therapy discovery session was offered to a group of children and their parents.  They participated in a variety of musical activities, guided by Maryse Trottier, certified music therapist.  The main goals were to give them an opportunity to express themselves, socialize and share relaxing and fun moments, thanks to the music.

La Maison Bleue’s mission is to reduce social inequalities by helping pregnant women living in vulnerable situations. They promote and foster the development of small children, from the mother’s womb until the age of 5. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute reached out to La Maison Bleue to propose a pilot project offering free online music therapy services. Even though potential challenges like internet access and technical issues might have limited participation, the experience has  proven to be a success. It has helped participants see the beneficial impact of music therapy, opening the door to future projects when in-person services are once again available.
 

In 2019, the Institute concluded an agreement, renewable on a yearly basis, with the Association québécoise de musicothérapie (AQM), who becomes our first institutional member.  Under the terms of this agreement, they can have access to our premises for their Board meetings and other administrative reunions.  Additional specific agreements can also be concluded to hold educational workshops and other activities offered to its members.

In December 2020, the Institute signed an agreement with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT), the national professional association to which all certified music therapists must belong, to offer our workshop to its members across Canada.  

This partnership meant that we could reach out to participants all across the country. As of June 2021, more than 60 music therapists have been able to benefit from the Institute’s workshop, helping their transition to an online environment.
 

This workshop, initially developed for music therapists working with the Institute, was subsequently offered to students in the Music Therapy Master’s program, in the Department of Creative Arts Therapies at Concordia University. Two groups of 10 participants, including 2 faculty members, participated in the 2.5 hour-long online workshop.