Town of Windham/Willimantic, rejoice! Sing songs, make music, and welcome Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh as a resource using the arts and music like none other! It’s time to celebrate! If you aren’t sure about what Music Therapy is, have no fear.
Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, Music Therapist/Board Certified, will present an informational session about Music Therapy on Thursday, September 17th at 5:00pm at Crossroads Physical Therapy (106 CT-66, Columbia, CT. 06237). She is currently providing Music Therapy services there for people of all ages and ability level. At this session, she will give an overview of what Music Therapy is, how it works, and the benefits of receiving such services. If you cannot make this date, please call Ruth for a consultation (free of charge) so she can explain how Music Therapy can benefit you and/or a loved one, no matter the situation.
Ruth has been a Music Therapist since 1984 and a member of the American Association for Music Therapy. She has been also teaching music for over 45 years. She is a graduate from the University of Kansas, Lawrence and did her internship training at Fairfield Hills Hospital. She worked for over 11 years at Connecticut Valley Hospital until the call of motherhood came, she quit her job as a recreation/music therapist, and homeschooled her children for 20 years. Enter Laureen (Physical Therapist) and Dr. Stephen Moran (DPT).
Stephen and Laureen invited Ruth to provide Music Therapy services to their clients and the public in June of this year. Here is what Laureen has to say about Music Therapy and Ruth;
“I have seen a person’s whole demeanor and tone change with the gift of music. It is a tool for participation and communication and should not be overlooked as a tool for rehabilitation. We are pleased to be able to offer this unique service through Ruth. She is such a highly qualified music therapist who truly cares about the individual and their goals.”
As a Music Therapist, Ruth has worked with children, youth, and adults who may not “fit” the typical picture of a person who could benefit from the arts. She specializes in tailoring the half hour sessions to utilize the strengths of the client to work on therapeutic goals. Ruth has worked with occupational, speech, physical therapy therapists, dance, and art therapists as well as with teams including forensic doctors, social workers, case managers, doctors, nurses, recreation therapists, and the like of mental health professionals.
Her experiences are broad and far-reaching as she has worked with well seniors, physically disabled, neurologically impaired, the public school setting, labor delivery room, the forensic population, chronic and acute psychiatric, substance abuse, and more. Ruth says, “I enjoy the people I have worked with over the years, taking into consideration the fact that each person is an individual with different wants and needs and likes. I am delighted to accept the public into my new location as I partner with Crossroads Physical Therapy to provide excellent services to my clients. It brings me great pleasure and joy to sow into people’s lives and to affect them for the better in both a session and/or beyond.”
Ruth will accept a grant that was awarded her from the Leo J. and Rose Pageau Trust on Thursday, September 24th at the Windham Country Club. The Prue Law Group will make the presentation and further fuel the possibilities of Music Therapy here in Windham County and beyond. With gratitude for the trust, Ruth say she will be better able to provide services with the equipment she will be able to purchase with the grant.
You can find Ruth’s website at www.musicandmoreint.com. She is also on Facebook (Music and More), Twitter (MusicandMoreInt), and can be reached via e-mail at ruthhalumbaugh@gmail.com. If you prefer to have a conversation about Music Therapy, fees, and other logistical details, you can reach her at 860-423-9156.