Our History…

In 2005, Jennifer Sokira, who had been working privately and on staff at a private school for neurodiverse children, branched out on her own, providing services to individuals, schools and community facilities throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. In 2008 Emily Bevelaqua joined as full-time staff, then in 2010 as a partner, actualizing our company name’s mission to provide services statewide.

Our Music Therapy Philosophy

We believe in nurturing creative possibilities. Music therapy is an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music and all of its facets- physical, emotional, mental, social, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual- to help people improve or maintain their health and well-being. We experience music together in a safe and motivating environment. Through this process, hidden strengths are revealed and in collaboration with our therapists, they are actualized and integrated. Music is used to connect with clients, reveal possibilities and make their lives better.

Staff

Founding Director

Jennifer Sokira, MMT, LCAT, MT-BC (she/her) is the Founding Director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, where her clinical work focuses on people who are healing from grief, trauma and PTSD using music psychotherapy methods. Jen is a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI) and she has completed Levels 1 and 2 of Brainspotting as well as advanced training in Complicated Grief Treatment. Founder of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC, since 2005 she has created opportunities for thousands of individuals in Connecticut to receive quality music therapy services from skillful and caring music therapists. Notably, Jennifer was music therapist and Clinical Director of the Resiliency Center of Newtown where she provided music therapy and assisted with community programming and consultation for clients impacted by the 12/14/12 tragedy at Sandy Hook School from 2013-2020.

She is currently serving as Vice President of the American Music Therapy Association, and her past professional service includes tenure as a Past-President of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association, and nine years as an appointed member of the AMTA Ethics Board.

Jen’s advocacy for increased knowledge and training for healthcare professionals working with clients who have experienced trauma has lead to her to consulting, writing, teaching and presenting regionally, nationally and internationally on trauma-informed practice and disaster response. She serves on faculty for Alverno College’s Master of Music Therapy program, Southern Connecticut State University’s bachelor in music therapy program and Quinnipiac University’s music minor. She is also the co-owner and Director of Educational Programming for EnlightenCE.

Jennifer’s recent publications include Considerations For Music Therapy in Long-Term Response to Mass Tragedy and Trauma in Music Therapy Today The Resilience Framework for Trauma-Informed Music Therapy,  in Trauma-Informed Practice in Music Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide (Routledge) and “Music Therapy: An Opportunity to Support Older Adults Healing from Trauma” in the American Society on Aging’s Generations Magazine.  She is pursuing a doctorate in education (EdD) at Alverno College, and her dissertation research focuses trauma-informed care education in music therapy undergraduate curriculua.

Executive Director

Emily Bevelaqua, MMT, MT-BC (she/her) is a board-certified music therapist who has experience with a wide range of client populations, including children and adults with autism and neurological disorders, Rett Syndrome, learning disabilities, multiple disabilities, NVLD, Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, PTSD, brain  health needs, eating disorders, addictions recovery and co- occurring disorders. Emily became the co-director and co-owner of Connecticut Music Therapy Services in 2010. She works with clients throughout the state and also provides clinical supervision and support for the Connecticut Music Therapy Services team.

Emily received her bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, her Music Therapy Equivalency from Anna Maria College, and her master in Music Therapy from Temple University. Emily has previously served the American Music Therapy Association as the national co-chair of the AMTA Professional Advocacy Committee.

Assistant Director & Music Therapist

Since 2015, Kelsy Moules, MBA, MT-BC (she/her) has happily been a member of the Connecticut Music Therapy Services team. With an undergraduate degree is music therapy from Anna Maria College and a Masters of Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University, she uses her education and experience to inform her role as both a music therapist and administrator. Kelsy has had the joy of working with many people with a variety of needs and backgrounds, but, has specialty in working with older adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Kelsy also has extensive experience working with preschool-aged children, particularly in school-based and group settings. Kelsy’s primary instrument is voice but she also plays the guitar, piano and trumpet. In her spare time, Kelsy enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and finding new coffee shops to try. Read more about Kelsy on our blog.

Clinical Coordinator

Heidi Tierney, MA, MT-BC (she/her) is a Board Certified Music Therapist, holding a Bachelors degree in Music Education with a concentration in Music in Special Education and Percussion. She earned her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Music Therapy. Heidi has worked closely in the field of education, specializing in therapeutic and residential school settings. Heidi’s work is founded in person centered and strengths based  approaches, developing each client’s unique strengths to support their challenges. She has worked extensively with adolescents and their families, specializing in Trauma and co-occurring disorders including depression,  attachment disorders, anxiety, ADHD, addiction, psychotic disorders and developmental needs.  Heidi currently serves a broad range of clientele spanning across all ages and including individuals with Autism, intellectual and memory care needs. Heidi holds certifications in Neurologic Music Therapy and trauma treatment therapies such as ARC, SMART, EMDR level 1, and My Life My Choice. Her previous experience in greater Boston as a residential program administrator has informed her approach that places value on integrating caregiving systems and community into an individual’s treatment.  Notably, she has presented her research of Community Music Therapy and the therapeutic benefits of music performance at conferences across the country.

Staff Music Therapist

Samuel Donovan, MT-BC (he/him) is a board certified music therapist who joined Connecticut Music Therapy Services in 2016. He has experience working with children, adolescents, adults and older adults with a wide range of developmental, physical, and emotional health needs. Prior to joining the CTMTS team, Sam worked with children and adolescents in the state of Rhode Island with Autism, physical disabilities, and emotional health needs.

Sam earned his Bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

Community Outreach Coordianator, Staff Music Therapist

Coordinator of gender affirming voicework, Staff Music Therapist

Braedyn Inmon, MMT, MT-BC (they/he) has been a board-certified music therapist since 2016. After graduating from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX, Braedyn has primarily worked as a music therapist in hospice, long term care and neuro-rehabilitation settings supporting disabled adults in both individual and group sessions, with some experience offering community-based group programming for developmentally disabled adults. Additionally, they have experience conducting psychoeducational groups in community-based mental health centers as a mental health professional. Since 2019, Braedyn has been in the process of completing their Masters in Music Therapy with an endorsement in Counseling from Slippery Rock University. Their studies have focused on finding their clinical identity within the Resource Oriented Music Therapy paradigm, incorporating counseling micro-skills and music psychotherapy techniques into their current work with clients, and developing the gender affirming voicework approach with their colleague & peer Maevon Gumble, MMT, MT-BC. Braedyn is excited to offer gender affirming voicework as well as community music therapy programming to clients in Connecticut, with a particular interest in fostering community for trans and gender nonconforming people across the lifespan.

Staff Music Therapist

Tess Sandler, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist who earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the State University of New York in Fredonia. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges. This includes individuals with developmental & intellectual disabilities, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments, speech impairments, and medical complexities. Tess utilizes a humanistic approach with her clients to help them reach their goals. 

Staff Music Therapist

Anne McGoldrick, MT-BC (she/her) is a board-certified music therapist with a B.S. in Music Therapy from Molloy University on Long Island, and  will be graduating with her M.S. in Music Therapy from SUNY New Paltz in May 2024. Her previous clinical experiences include school, community, clinic and home-based settings, while working with individuals in foster care and adoption, autism, dementia and developmental disabilities. Anne finds value in all forms of music-making and practices from a humanistic and music-centered approach.

Staff Music Therapist

Mac Brown, MT-BC (they/them) is a board certified music therapist who has worked with a variety of clients ranging from infants to seniors. Mac has worked with clients in a variety of settings including the office, schools, group homes, nursing homes, mental health and rehab facilities, and clients homes. Their clinical background includes working with adults and children with autism and other developmental disorders, teens with mental health and addiction challenges, as well as seniors with dementia. Mac received their bachelors degree in Music Therapy from Montclair State University.

We would love to share our expertise with you!

Find a complete list of our services here.

Save

Save