Music Therapy

Brian Abrams, PhD, MT-BC, LPC, LCAT, Analytical Music Therapist and Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, has been a music therapist since 1995, with experience across a wide range of clinical contexts. Prior to his current position at Montclair State University as Associate Professor of Music (2008-present) and Coordinator of Music Therapy (2010-present), he served on the faculty at Immaculata University (2004-2008) and Utah State University (2001-2004). He has published and presented internationally on a wide range of topics such as music therapy in cancer care, music psychotherapy, humanistic music therapy, and the interdisciplinary area of Health Humanities. He has also contributed to the establishment of several medical music therapy programs. He has served on the editorial boards of numerous journals, such as Music Therapy Perspectives, the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, and Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. From 2005 to 2011, he served on the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), including as President from 2007-2009. On a national level, he serves on the AMTA Assembly of Delegates (including as Speaker from 2012-2013), and served on the AMTA Board of Directors from 2010-2013.

Michael Viega, Ph.D., LCAT, MT-BC, is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Montclair State University, and a Fellow in the Association of Music and Imagery. He has published and presented internationally on a wide range of topics such as Hip Hop and music therapy, arts-based research methodologies, therapeutic songwriting and adverse childhood experiences, and music therapy and adolescent development. As a music therapy clinician, he has worked extensively with children and adolescents who have experienced childhood adversity and trauma. He serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. He is currently the President of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association (MAR-AMTA). Some of his recent publications include “From orphan to sage: The hero’s journey as an assessment tool for Hip Hop songs created in music therapy” (Journal of Genius and Eminence); “Remixing identity: Creating meaning from songs written by patients recovering from a spinal cord injury” (With F.A. Baker, Journal of Applied Arts & Health); and “What’s in a song? Combining Analytical and Arts-based Analysis for Songs Created by Songwriters with Neurodisabilities” (With F.A. Baker, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy).

Amy L. Clarkson, MMT, MT-BC, CP, LCAT, is a board certified music therapist and certified practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group psychotherapy. She received her music therapy training at Montclair State University and Temple University. She has served as a fieldwork supervisor and adjunct faculty member at the Cali School since 1998. In addition to those roles, she is now a clinical training associate, coordinating the practicum training placements for the music therapy program. She also provides music therapy services at Montclair State University’s Ben Samuels Children’s Center, working with children who are on the autism spectrum, and serves as a consultant for the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health. Amy has many years of clinical experience in working with children and families affected by domestic violence. She currently has a private practice in central New Jersey, where she provides music therapy and psychodrama services for children, teens and adults who are facing a range of life challenges. She has presented at local, regional and national conferences, and has published on the topics of songwriting and identity, music therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders, and the integration of the creative arts therapies in helping children heal from trauma.

Jasmine Edwards (she/her/hers) is a creative arts therapy coordinator working as a music therapist within a pediatric medical setting in New York City. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Music in music therapy from Florida State University, and a Master of Arts in music therapy from New York University. She has experience working in private practice, outpatient, school-based, and medical settings, and is trained in NICU-MT, First Sounds: Rhythm, Breath, Lullaby, and Austin Vocal Psychotherapy. Jasmine has a vested interest in integrating the tenets of cultural humility into music therapy clinical practice and pedagogy. She also has served as an adjunct faculty member at Howard University, New York University, and Nazareth College.

Stacey Hensel MA, MT-BC, LCAT, NRMT is a Licensed and Board-Certified music therapist. She has extensive experience as a clinician working with a wide range of ages, developmental levels and social-emotional needs. She received her BA in Music Therapy at West Texas A&M University and graduated from New York University’s Master’s degree program in Music Therapy. She completed the post-graduate advanced clinical training at The Nordoff-Robbins Center at NYU and advanced certification in Vocal Psychotherapy at the Music Psychotherapy Center in NYC. Stacey is the Supervisor of Music Therapy at The Rebecca School in NY, NY. She has presented at numerous regional and national Music Therapy conferences as well as internationally at the European Music Therapy Conference. Her presentations have included case studies on Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, DIR ® and Creative Music Therapy, In addition she has provided experiential workshops, and taught continuing education courses on clinical improvisation and using music in supervision. Stacey is the founder and Director of Innovative Music: Creative Arts Therapy Services, PLCC.

Andrew Rossetti MMT, LCAT, MT-BC, is a clinical music psychotherapist, researcher, and coordinator of the multi-site music therapy program in radiology oncology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. He is a visiting professor at the University of Barcelona and has lectured throughout the world. He received his master’s degree in Music Therapy from the Facultad de Psicologia Blanquerna (Ramon Llull University,Barcelona Spain). He has developed music therapy programs in hospitals in the United States and Spain, and serves as a consultant in the Palliative Care Unit of the Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut (Barcelona). His publications include articles in the book Music and Medicine: Integrative Models in the Treatment of Pain, the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics, and co-authorship of the NICU Compendium: Rhythm, Breath & Lullaby, a comprehensive guide to music psychotherapy in neonatal intensive care units. He is interested in further development of Environmental Music Therapy in fragile environments, and in using music psychotherapy to address trauma and the challenges of cancer treatment. His work has been highlighted in such venues as National Public Radio’s Science Friday, CBS News NY, and the New York Psychoanalytic Society’s Helix Center Roundtable Series.

Alyssa Mannarino, MA, MT-BC, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Muhlenberg College and her Master of Arts degree in Music Therapy from Montclair State University. She currently works in home hospice care as a music therapist, and has been part of the development of an interdisciplinary pediatric hospice team at her organization. Alyssa also serves as a faculty member at a non-profit performing arts center in NJ. She has presented at Montclair State University’s Music Therapy Symposium on navigating pediatric hospice telehealth visits during COVID-19. Alyssa has supervised a number of practicum students and is passionate about providing safe educational spaces for future music therapists to grow and learn.

Annalissa Vicencio, MA, LCAT, MT-BC, is a native Bronxite serving her home community as a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist – Music Therapist at Montefiore Medical Center, where she co-founded/co-facilitates the Montefiore Melodies Choir for those with a neurologic-related communication disorder, their caregivers, and the community. Annalissa has worked with all ages in psychiatric/addiction, medical, rehabilitation, and education settings and has given myriad presentations at creative arts therapy conferences and at the Society for Neuroscience. Annalissa is a doctoral student in the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD program at NYU Steinhardt where she also received her MA in Music Therapy; she holds a BA in Biology-Neuroscience from Manhattanville College. She is a Neurologic Music Therapist, an Austin Vocal Psychotherapist, and trains in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy and Drama Therapy (Alternative Training). Annalissa is also a Health and Wellness Coach. As the founder of Whole Health Power, she empowers others toward sustainable lifestyle changes. Her related research interests integrate the creative arts, coaching, and holistic health initiatives to address systemic oppression and inequalities in healthcare.