Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Toronto

NMTST is a neurologic music therapy practice serving the Toronto area. The neurologic music therapist and on site and founder of NMTST is Sophia Christopher, MA, MTA, NMT. She uses qualities of music to promote and influence neuroplasticity, which means, she aims to change, or rewire the brain. Sophia works with many individuals, including those who are experiencing acquired brain injuries, traumatic brain injuries, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinsons disease, cerebral pal...sy, and other neurologic diagnoses. The three domains include sensorimotor rehabilitation, speech and language rehabilitation, and cognitive rehabilitation. Sophias expertise lie in gait training with those experiencing Parkinsons or gait abnormalities related to ABIs, language redevelopment for those experiencing aphasia, and working towards behavioural management goals for a variety of client groups. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to send us a message! #nmtaadvocacy #musicandhealth #musicandthebrain #neurologicmusictherapy

A first in neurologic rehabilitation! New rehabilitation technology is being presented at the ISPRM Society 2018 World Congress, which incorporates music and its neuroscience principles to help patients with various neurological disorders regain lost movements. For more information, read the article below! #musicandhealth #musicandneuroscience #nmtadvocacy

Meet J. J experienced a stroke three years ago, which left a paralysis in his right side. During his time in acute care, J participated in other therapies, but nothing seemed to get his arm moving. Three years later, and after a couple of music therapy sessions, J lifts his arm for the first time. See below, our session in action! #neurologicmusictherapy #neuroplasticity #musicandhealth #NMTadvocacy

A great post by CBC Radio explaining the benefits of #NMT in motor rehabilitation. Check out the article below! #neurologicmusictherapy #musicandhealth #NMTadvocacy

Founder of NMTST, Sophia Christopher, will be in Indonesia sharing the benefits of NMT thanks MTCI for hosting! #SEAMTConference #NMTadvocacy

Happy Saturday! Today I wanted to share with you how music can help improve motor functions for individuals with a brain and spinal cord injury. Meet A. A. was in a motor vehicle accident six years ago, and since has had limited mobility with her left arm/hand. Through Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance, A. is now able to unlock her iPad! In this demonstration, A. was instructed to play the piano in a similar pattern as her unlock code. Playing along to a metronome allows our brain to organize movements, while playing an instrument provides auditory feedback, creating a feedforward-feedback loop. Watch and listen how A.s movement becomes more entrained with the beat. #neuroplasticity #neurologicmusictherapy #NMTadvocacy

Thanks Ontario Music Therapy Academy and workshop facilitator, Brian Harris from MedRhythms, for putting together such an educational and inspiring workshop!We explored the use of music in neurologic rehabilitation in variety of clinical settings. Now lets talk about how everyone can have access to this type of therapy! #neuroplasticity #neurologicmusictherapy #NMTadvocacy

Interested in learning about music and neuroscience? Join the Ontario Music Therapy Academy on January 13, 2018, as Brian Harris discusses how music profoundly engages the human brain and how it can facility rehabilitation. #musicandhealth #musicandneuroscience #musictherapyreaearch https://m.facebook.com/events/302060593628122?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%2298%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&aref=98

Holland Bloorview Rocks is showcasing a night to remember! Members of the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospitals music therapy program will participate in a one-of-a-kind band performance with celebrity judges, refreshments and snacks, and great prizes to be won. Cheer on our bands and help raise funds for music therapy at Holland Bloorview. Your support will help create a world of possibility for kids with disabilities. #hollandbloorviewrocks

Were very excited to share that the founder of Neurologic Music Therapy, Dr. Michael Thaut, has been named as one of the Canadian Research Chairs by the federal government. Congratulations Dr. Thaut! Dr. Thauts research career has focused on the neural and psychophysical basis of music and rhythmic perception, as well as the clinical application of music and rhythm to motor, speech/language, and cognitive training. For more information, see the link below! https://www.utoronto.ca//20-u-t-experts-named-new-canada-r #musictherapyresearch #musictherapyadvocacy #neurologicmusictherapy

For those of you in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, try to stop in on November 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm as DeafBlind Ontario Services hosts a Remembrance Day tribute at the Parkminister United Church. This evening features two individuals who are excited to share their musical interpretations with all of you. Proceeds go towards Parkminister and HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10155738238482429&id=271988637428

Check out this fantastic broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as Philip Ball talks to neuroscientists and discovers how music is essential to our memories. #musicandhealth #musictherapy #neuroscience #musicandmemory #aging http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b097c1vh

What an amazing night last night at the Hart House! The sold out event generated a lot of buzz and interested in Neurologic music therapy, what an amazing turn out! It was great to learn about the exciting new research being conducted with the Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory, watch live demonstrations of various techniques, and mingle with various health care professionals. Thanks University of Toronto Faculty of Music and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute for joining together! #musicandhealth #musicandhealthresearch #neurologicmusictherapy #NMT #research http://uoftmusicmahrc.ca/overview/

Interested in Neurologic Music Therapy research? Hart House is hosting a free presentation and networking opportunity, exploring research in music and its effects on the brain. Wednesday October 18, 6-9 pm. Sign up here: #musicandhealth #neurologicmusictherapy #musicandthebrain #musictherapyresearch http://harthouse.ca/events/crescendos/

"Dear superheroes, why dont any of you look like us?" "Dear other mom, we deserve to be here too." "Dear doctor, you dont need to work on me. I am not broken." #DearEveryBody... Approximately 400,000 Canadian children and youth experiencing physical or cognitive disabilities experience discrimination day to day. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital launches "Dear Everybody" campaign to end stigma for young Canadians with disabilities. This campaign features an open letter written by youth and young adults to end help end the stigma today. Check out this amazing campaign by visiting the website, and dont forget to click "read and share the full letter." #Endthestigma #inclusion http://deareverybody.hollandbloorview.ca/

Sometimes after a stroke or an injury to the head, an individual may lose their ability to speak, but can still understand spoken language. This is called Brocas aphasia. How frustrating would it be to understand what people are saying, but not being able to articulate your own needs? Melodic Intonation Therapy is a neurologic music therapy intervention that uses melodies, functional phrases, and rhythm to redevelop language related to aphasia. Because music is a whole-brain process, we can access unaffected areas of the brain and rebuild lost functions. In the video blow, you can see it in action! In this example, we are working on the phrase, "I want to use the washroom." Enjoy! #Musictherapy #neurologicmusictherapy #musicandthebrain #speechrehabilitation #speechandlanguage #aphasia #musicandhealth

Excited to share this Music and Speech Workshop hosted by Axon Music Therapy and Music By Design.ca. Clinicians and family members are encouraged to sign up for this workshop, but spaces are limited! For more information, please refer to Music & Speech Workshop listed below. *** The ComMusicate program: offers intensive, custom & choreographed, small-group intervention to children with communication disorders. Each program addresses issues such as speech and language delays/disorders and social and non-verbal communication difficulties by providing captivating, therapeutic, musical activities to target individualized speech, language, and communication goals.