Alabama Music Therapy Task Force

Alabama Music Therapy Task Force Official account of the Alabama Music Therapy Task Force | Advocating for state recognition and sharing updates on music therapy in Alabama.

A huge thank you to Representative Susan DuBose for taking the time to meet with us on Hill Day to discuss the importanc...
03/17/2026

A huge thank you to Representative Susan DuBose for taking the time to meet with us on Hill Day to discuss the importance of state licensure for music therapy in Alabama. Your support in helping protect and serve our clients is truly appreciated!

Music Therapy Hill Day Recap 🎶Last Wednesday, our task force and dedicated volunteers traveled to the Alabama Capitol to...
02/25/2026

Music Therapy Hill Day Recap 🎶

Last Wednesday, our task force and dedicated volunteers traveled to the Alabama Capitol to meet with legislators about establishing state licensure for music therapy. We are incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm shown by so many of our legislators as we work toward increasing access and protecting our clients across Alabama.

A huge thank you to State Representative Marilyn Lands for her support and for helping us draft a bill toward state licensure — your leadership means so much to our profession and the clients we serve!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey! Your responses provided valuable information that will help us adv...
11/13/2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey! Your responses provided valuable information that will help us advocate for state licensure and expand music therapy services across Alabama. Here’s a snapshot of what we learned:

🎵 There are 76 board-certified music therapists currently practicing in Alabama
📊 We received a 45% survey response rate
🏥 Music therapists are currently serving clients in a variety of settings — including hospitals, schools, private practices, and older adult facilities
📍 Services are provided in 11 Alabama counties, reaching clients in surrounding areas across the state
💡 This information helps advocate for licensure, expand access to services, and improve access to funding

Music therapy is growing in Alabama, and your support is helping make that possible! Together, we’re raising awareness, supporting our professionals, and bringing the power of music therapy to more individuals in every community across the state. 🎶

Meet our Secretary! Abby Whitlock, MT-BC, NMT™, NICU MTMadison, Alabama native and board certified music therapist, Abby...
10/16/2025

Meet our Secretary!

Abby Whitlock, MT-BC, NMT™, NICU MT
Madison, Alabama native and board certified music therapist, Abby is the Operations Manager of Rooted Music Therapy, specializing in Neurologic Music Therapy™. After earning her BA in Music from Samford University, she pursued her Music Therapy Equivalency from The Florida State University with the additional designation of NICU-MT (National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy). After completing her internship at Apalachee Center in Tallahassee, FL, Abby returned to Alabama and worked as a music therapist at UAB Hospital, serving acute care populations, including cardiology, palliative care, hematology/oncology, neonatal intensive care, and acute inpatient psychiatric populations. Abby cares deeply about helping her clients reach their goals and advocating for music therapy in Alabama.

Meet our PR Coordinator! Jocelyn D. Stovall, MMT, M. Ed, MT-BCJocelyn D. Stovall is a board-certified music therapist an...
10/10/2025

Meet our PR Coordinator!

Jocelyn D. Stovall, MMT, M. Ed, MT-BC
Jocelyn D. Stovall is a board-certified music therapist and the owner of Evolve Music Therapy Services. She holds degrees from The University of Alabama, Georgia College, and The University of West Alabama. Through Evolve, Jocelyn works extensively with children and adults with developmental disabilities across the Alabama River Region. She has also partnered with organizations such as Tuskegee University, Pfizer, and Montgomery Public Schools to support employee wellness and provide training on the benefits of music therapy. Jocelyn’s clinical work centers on empowering individuals to showcase their abilities and evolve into the best version of themselves. Inspired by music’s ability to transform lives, she brings creativity, compassion, and evidence-based practices to every client and community she serves.

Meet our Communications Coordinator!Ashlyn Feldmann, MT-BCAshlyn is a board-certified music therapist and founder of Bea...
10/02/2025

Meet our Communications Coordinator!

Ashlyn Feldmann, MT-BC
Ashlyn is a board-certified music therapist and founder of Beacon Music Therapy. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of North Alabama in 2016 and pursued her passion for music therapy by completing the Music Therapy Equivalency Program at the University of Alabama in 2018. Following her studies, she completed her internship at Music Therapy Milestones, where she worked as a music therapist from 2019–2024 while also supervising interns and music therapy students from the University of Alabama.

In January 2025, Ashlyn launched Beacon Music Therapy to offer music therapy services to individuals of all ages in Birmingham and surrounding communities. She has diverse clinical experience working with populations including early intervention, special education, Autism Spectrum Disorder, individuals with multiple disabilities, older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project

As a member of the state task force, Ashlyn is dedicated to expanding access to music therapy across Alabama and enhancing support for both clients and professionals through state licensure efforts.

Meet our Researcher! Stephanie Bolton, MT-BCStephanie Bolton is a board-certified music therapist who has been practicin...
09/24/2025

Meet our Researcher!

Stephanie Bolton, MT-BC
Stephanie Bolton is a board-certified music therapist who has been practicing since 1997. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from The University of Alabama and her Master’s in Music Therapy from St. Mary of the Woods College. Over the course of her career, she has worked in a wide range of settings, including inpatient and outpatient adult mental health facilities, schools and home-based programs for children with autism and other special needs, and skilled nursing facilities serving adults with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In 2013, Stephanie completed training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and became a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI). Since 2009, she has owned and operated Healing Sounds Music Therapy in Huntsville, where she specializes in using Guided Imagery and Music to improve adult mental health and wellness.

Meet Emily Macher, MT-BC!Emily graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy in 201...
09/18/2025

Meet Emily Macher, MT-BC!

Emily graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy in 2014 before completing her internship with Fulton County Schools in Fulton County, Georgia. Returning to Alabama, she worked in Tuscaloosa City Schools, supervised music therapy students at UA, and held several contracts in the Birmingham area. Specializing in special education, Emily has a heart for inclusive community and creating opportunities for all individuals. She advocates for access to music therapy as well as general music classrooms for all students, along with professional collaboration across multiple disciplines.
Emily and her husband moved to Mobile in 2022 and recently welcomed their first child.

Calling all Alabama Music Therapists!The Alabama State Task Force wants to hear from you—but time is running out. Our su...
09/16/2025

Calling all Alabama Music Therapists!
The Alabama State Task Force wants to hear from you—but time is running out. Our survey closes on September 20th.

Your responses will give us a clear picture of music therapy practice, advocacy needs, and reimbursement issues across the state. This data is essential as we continue working toward state licensure and stronger recognition of our profession.

Here’s why your input matters:
✔️ It helps expand access to music therapy services.
✔️ It supports funding opportunities and insurance coverage.
✔️ It ensures that clients receive services from trained, board-certified professionals.
👉 Check your email and complete the survey by September 20th. Every response makes a difference!

Meet our Alabama Music Therapy Association Representative!Julia Hufford, MT-BCJulia Hufford is a board-certified music t...
09/09/2025

Meet our Alabama Music Therapy Association Representative!

Julia Hufford, MT-BC
Julia Hufford is a board-certified music therapist who has been practicing since 2022. She obtained her undergraduate degree in music therapy from Georgia College and State University, graduating that same year. After completing her internship at UAB Hospital, Julia became a full-time therapist with the UAB Music Therapy team and now calls Alabama home. She has extensive experience providing music therapy across various medical environments, including oncology, cardiology, palliative care, and general medical care, where she offers therapeutic support to patients and their families. In 2023, Julia completed NICU-MT training through the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy and has since been working with patients in the Level IV NICU at UAB Hospital. Julia is passionate about increasing education and access to music therapy services in Alabama through advocacy and pursuit of licensure.

Meet our Co-Chair!Aria Mandt, MT-BCAria Mandt is a board-certified music therapist with over a decade of clinical experi...
09/09/2025

Meet our Co-Chair!

Aria Mandt, MT-BC
Aria Mandt is a board-certified music therapist with over a decade of clinical experience, specializing in medical music therapy within acute care settings. She joined UAB Medicine in 2016 and currently serves as the Music Therapy Clinical Specialist. In this role, she serves as Internship Director, acts as a mentor to clinical staff, and contributes to departmental development through her work on the Rehab Services Education Committee.

Aria holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Florida State University and earned her NICU-MT certification in 2017, enabling her to provide specialized care in UAB’s Level IV NICU. Her work spans a wide range of inpatient populations, with a strong emphasis on clinical education, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

As a member of the state task force, Aria is committed to advancing access to music therapy services and ensuring public protection through the development of music therapy legislation.

Music Therapists of Alabama, we need your voice!You should have received an email with a short survey from the Alabama S...
09/09/2025

Music Therapists of Alabama, we need your voice!

You should have received an email with a short survey from the Alabama State Task Force. This survey will help us gather important info about music therapy practice, advocacy, and reimbursement across the state.

Why does this matter?
✔️ State recognition of music therapy can expand access to services, improve funding opportunities, and support insurance coverage.
✔️ It also protects the public by ensuring qualified, board-certified professionals are the ones providing music therapy.
👉 If you received our email, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Your input will guide our efforts toward state licensure and greater recognition of our profession in Alabama.

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Montgomery, AL

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