Indianapolis, Indiana – The sound of a steady drumbeat. A quiet melody played on piano keys. A familiar song sung softly in a small room. At the University of Indianapolis, those simple elements are now part of something much larger — a new effort to expand care, healing, and connection across Central Indiana.
UIndy has officially opened its new Music Therapy Center, a space designed to provide individualized music therapy services to people of all ages and abilities. The center also serves as a hands-on clinical training site for university students preparing to enter the profession.
The goal is twofold: meet a growing community need and prepare the next generation of music therapists.
“There is a real need for music therapy providers across Indianapolis,” said Amy Foley, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC and director of music therapy at the University of Indianapolis. “Children and adults can face long waitlists and limited availability in settings with fewer music therapists. By opening the Music Therapy Center, we are able to expand access to this creative arts therapy and help meet a critical community need.”
Music therapy is more than simply listening to relaxing songs. It is a structured, goal-oriented clinical practice led by trained professionals. At the new center, all services are supervised by a board-certified music therapist, known as an MT-BC. Advanced music therapy students, completing their clinical training, may lead sessions under that supervision.
Each client begins with an initial assessment. From there, therapists develop an individualized treatment plan that outlines specific goals. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and are held weekly for at least one semester, or about 15 weeks. Progress is evaluated continuously, and adjustments are made as needed. Group sessions may also be offered depending on interest and demand.
Foley has seen firsthand how music therapy can support people in many different circumstances. It can help children improve communication skills. It can assist adults coping with stress, anxiety, or grief. It can also play a role in physical rehabilitation, offering rhythm and movement exercises that engage both body and mind.
Depending on a participant’s goals, a session might include improvising with instruments, singing or moving to a recreated song, listening to music and discussing its meaning, or even writing an original piece. No musical background is required. Clients do not need to read music or play an instrument. The only requirement is a willingness to engage.
“There is often a misconception about what music therapy is and how it works,” said Foley. “Music therapists work with each individual to get to know their musical preferences to incorporate styles of music that would be meaningful to support the therapy progression. Typically, music therapy is an active process where the participant engages in music-making and creation. The brain is uniquely motivated by music and processes the music signal in many areas of the brain simultaneously, increasing the effectiveness and potential of music therapy as an avenue for wellness.”
That brain response is central to the therapy’s impact. Music activates multiple areas of the brain at once, which can strengthen emotional processing, memory, motor skills, and communication pathways. For individuals facing developmental, emotional, or physical challenges, this multi-sensory stimulation can open new doors.
The center’s opening also marks a significant milestone for UIndy students. Music therapy majors are required to complete practicum hours as part of their training. Having an on-campus clinical site provides easier access to hands-on experience and close supervision. It also creates opportunities for collaboration with other disciplines at the university, such as psychology, health sciences, and education.
The Music Therapy Center operates year-round, including during summer months, which expands access for families seeking services outside the traditional academic calendar.
Located within UIndy’s Community Music Academy, the center is part of a broader mission to nurture musical engagement for people of all ages and abilities. The academy already offers private lessons and summer programs, making it a natural home for therapeutic services that use music as a tool for growth.
The center follows a fee-based model. To help ensure services remain accessible, need-based scholarships are available for those who qualify. At this time, however, the center does not accept the Medicaid waiver for payment.
University leaders hope the new facility will become a vital resource for Central Indiana residents who may otherwise face long waitlists or limited options. By combining clinical care with student training, UIndy aims to strengthen both the community and the profession itself.
For families, caregivers, and individuals seeking support, information about services and scholarships can be found on the UIndy Music Therapy Center webpage. Those interested can begin the enrollment process through the center’s online registration page.
In a quiet room on campus, healing may begin not with words alone, but with rhythm, harmony, and shared sound. Through its new Music Therapy Center, the University of Indianapolis is turning music into a bridge — connecting education, service, and wellness in one carefully orchestrated step forward.
