Read our Q&A with Allison Thomas, Owner of Mainstay Music Therapy.
What inspired you to become a provider?
I’ve always had a heart for helping others, and I found my niche in music therapy during undergrad. When I graduated and became certified in 2010, there were not many companies offering music therapy services, so I decided to start my own.
As Mainstay grew through the years, I realized a lack of and great need for services (especially music therapy) in mental health support. I’ve seen the short-term and long-term effects of childhood abuse and trauma and feel that as a music therapist, I am equipped to help kids navigate through a portion of their recovery journey. I want/ed to do all I could, personally and professionally, to help fill this gap in available services!
Share your background and any exciting things you’ve done to give back to your community.
We are currently working to expand our offerings into more of what our community is looking for and needing from mental health service providers. We recently held a Yoga + Music class designed specifically for caregivers of individuals with special needs as a way to relax and unwind. We also participate in resource fairs and give informative presentations about music therapy in our area.
What is your organization’s mission or philosophy?
A ‘Mainstay’ is defined as a ‘thing on which something else depends’. We desire for our music therapy services to be a support to our clients and their families and to consistently provide a safe space for expression and growth.
Mainstay Music Therapy, Inc. is centered around the ability to employ the adaptability and flexibility of music to motivate and promote growth in the individuals we serve; we strive to encourage independence and the highest quality of life while providing a supportive and compassionate environment.
Our therapists strive to support the needs of our clients with empathy and understanding in a way that resonates with each person’s life experience. It is our goal at Mainstay Music Therapy, Inc. to provide professional, quality music therapy services and to provide evidence-based support of and thorough communication regarding therapy. We value authentic connection with clients and collaboration with families. Team members are an integral and active participant in a support team.
What kinds of services do you provide?
Through our Choices partnership, we provide music therapy through Specialized Therapy and Skill Building service codes.
Whom/where do you serve?
We have music therapist service providers throughout Allen, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Howard, Johnson, Marion, Miami, Morgan, Shelby, Tipton, and Tippecanoe counties.
Share any relevant background about your organization, such as how/why/when it was created.
I started Mainstay in 2010 after recognizing the lack of companies in the area devoted to this specific profession.
For the first five years, Mainstay focused on providing music therapy services through the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) Waiver in Indiana, and we have expanded into many other related health communities since! We currently have nine music therapists on staff who are providing services both in clients’ homes and in our offices.
Share how your organization is making a positive impact.
I hope for Mainstay to be a quality choice for alternative health and wellness treatment. Research shows that more and more people find that creative approaches to therapy can be more beneficial for processing and expression than traditional talk therapy. I hope that by offering this approach to our community that we can support emotional and behavioral growth for more people!
Why do you like working as a Choices provider?
I enjoy working as a Choices provider because you can actively see impact. Work with Choices’ kids seems to be faster-paced and more directed, which results in observable change. I also appreciate the team approach and encouragement of communication throughout the client’s team!
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are currently accepting new clients! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We always love to talk to people about music therapy and advocate for its effectiveness!
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