Kathleen Summers 

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I’m an advocate for the healing power of music. From an early age, music was an anchor in my own life, healing, and my growth. Through my training and experience as a board-certified music therapist, I've learned more about the bridge between health and music, and am motivated to help others access the benefits of music therapy. Within the therapeutic process and relationship, music therapy interventions can be used to support a multitude of needs. Training as a masters level music therapy clinician coupled with my extensive experiences in medical music therapy, mental health, and professorship have provided me with the groundwork to build my personal practice. My drive to support the present needs of my community in a meaningful way led to the creation of BPM Music Therapy.

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My experience in the field of music therapy includes over ten years working as a clinical music therapist, teaching as an adjunct professor for both undergraduate and graduate music therapy students, contributing to published works, and acting as lead-investigator within a research team formulated for a music therapy study. In my medical-based clinical work I became motivated, through collaborations with interdisciplinary team members, to create new processes and protocols that met the growing needs of patients and families. Between the rise of mental health needs in healthcare, and the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) in our society, it is becoming increasingly apparent the crucial role of creative health professions such as music therapy for the community and in the lives of a child and/or their family. This is not limited to and includes support during most sensitive times (examples: trauma recovery, end of life support). Since leaving my clinical role in a hospital setting, I have been privileged with opportunities to collaborate with medical care teams and non-profit initiatives that fall in line with the vision I have for BPM Music Therapy. I am excited to continue to grow and support the medical, psychological, social, developmental, and emotional needs of families and children in my community.