FL Music Therapy Gov't Relations

FL Music Therapy Gov't Relations Official account for the Florida Music Therapy Task Force. Sharing about music therapy in Florida and legislative happenings from the Sunshine State!

FLORIDA MUSIC THERAPY HILL DAY LEGISLATOR SPOTLIGHT: REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE HADLEY ANTONE!Rep. Bruce Antone represents Dis...
02/25/2026

FLORIDA MUSIC THERAPY HILL DAY LEGISLATOR SPOTLIGHT: REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE HADLEY ANTONE!

Rep. Bruce Antone represents District 41 - Part of Orange County. In 1984, Rep. Antone moved to Florida and since then has worked as a legislative aide to State Senator Buddy Dyer in addition to currently serving his Third House stint (2002-2006, 2012-2020, 2022-present). His recreational interests include reading, sports, traveling, and music.

Micah (music therapist at AdventHealth; FLMTTF Communications Team) shares: “It was an honor to speak to Rep. Antone about our West Lakes Early Center and the great impacts of our music therapy program in regards to early childhood development/rehabilitation, classroom/staff support, and community outreach. Rep. Antone was particularly interested in learning about the role of music therapists on an interdisciplinary team, music therapy training/program at FSU, and music therapy presence across (central) Florida.”

Thank you Rep. Bruce Hadley Antone for meeting with the Florida Music Therapy Task Force at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day!

[ID: Picture of some Florida Music Therapy Task Force members/volunteers with Rep. Bruce Haley Antone of District 41 at Florida Music Therapy Hill Day on February 10, 2025 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL.]

✨ January Newsletter Recap is here! ✨Stay connected with the latest updates from the music therapy community and the Flo...
02/19/2026

✨ January Newsletter Recap is here! ✨

Stay connected with the latest updates from the music therapy community and the Florida Music Therapy Task Force 🎶 This month’s highlights include exciting leadership announcements from AMTA, important membership renewal reminders, upcoming continuing education opportunities, conference dates, internship openings, and job opportunities across Florida.

📅 Don’t miss key events like the SER-AMTA Regional Conference in Charlotte this March and the Hospice & Palliative Care MT Institute. Whether you’re a student, intern, or professional, there are so many ways to stay involved, grow your career, and strengthen advocacy for music therapy in our state.

💻 Be sure to follow and subscribe to stay informed, connected, and engaged with everything happening in our field. Your voice and participation help move music therapy forward in Florida and beyond!



[ID: A series of orange-themed newsletter recap graphics from the Florida Music Therapy Task Force for January 2026. Slides include AMTA news such as leadership appointments, award recipients, membership renewal reminders, and details about the 2026 SER-AMTA Regional Conference in Charlotte, NC. Additional slides highlight registration openings for continuing education courses, internship opportunities at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and multiple music therapy job listings across Florida. The final slide encourages viewers to stay informed and follow on social media and subscribe to the newsletter.]

THANKS FOR JOINING US AT HILL DAY!On Tuesday, February 10, 50+ Florida Music Therapy Task Force Members and volunteers, ...
02/12/2026

THANKS FOR JOINING US AT HILL DAY!

On Tuesday, February 10, 50+ Florida Music Therapy Task Force Members and volunteers, including board-certified music therapists, music therapy students/interns, and music therapy advocates, met with over 90 legislators and/or legislative aids/interns to advocate, educate, and connect about music therapy state licensure! We are so grateful for the opportunity to talk about our profession, share personal stories about music therapy, and discuss why state licensure for music therapists is needed. Thank you to our TF members and volunteers for making this year’s Hill Day a success (and thank you Jake Bibler for the photos - check him out on Facebook !)

[ID: Thank you text in black with pictures of the Florida Music Therapy Task Force + Hill Day Volunteers at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, FL]

🎶 Music Therapy Hill Day 2026 is almost here! 🎶Join us Tuesday, February 10, 2026 as we advocate for access, quality car...
02/09/2026

🎶 Music Therapy Hill Day 2026 is almost here! 🎶

Join us Tuesday, February 10, 2026 as we advocate for access, quality care, and professional recognition for music therapists across Florida. Whether you’re attending in person or participating from afar, your voice makes a difference in advancing licensure for board-certified music therapists.

Attending in person?
Check your inbox for the 2026 Participation Guide and additional details from flmusictherapytf@gmail.com. Didn’t receive it? RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQBL3oq_XYycXC9TaMN8kh8jWbV6w6jJnKePXyuTKUUXblyA/viewform

Participating remotely?
Take action by contacting your legislators! Include:
• Your name & credentials
• Your support of SB478 / HB829
• Why licensure for music therapists is essential
• Legislator Resource Folder:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RUMc69dKlLuwIwMdFEp5lBkkMR09o4Qf

Know someone who supports music therapy licensure? Have them sign our Coalition of Support and help strengthen our statewide advocacy!

🔗 Find all links, resources, and contact info here:
https://linktr.ee/flmusictherapytf



[ID: Orange and yellow gradient graphic with the Florida Music Therapy Task Force logo and bold text reading “Music Therapy Hill Day – 2026 Participation Guide,” followed by instructions for in-person and remote participation, advocacy steps, and the handle.]

☀️Music Therapy Sunshine Spotlight: Riffs with Ryan!☀️Meet Ryan Johnson, MT-BC — a board-certified music therapist and o...
02/05/2026

☀️Music Therapy Sunshine Spotlight: Riffs with Ryan!☀️

Meet Ryan Johnson, MT-BC — a board-certified music therapist and owner of Riffs with Ryan, a guitar resource specifically for music therapists to easily grow their guitar skills and rediscover joy in playing guitar. Riffs with Ryan is an approved CMTE provider, guitar curriculum consultant, and online guitar-for-music-therapy resource!

Riffs with Ryan is coming out with a new guitar CMTE this month - for professionals and students!
Follow & connect with Ryan and keep celebrating the community with us at

[ID: “Meet the Florida Music Therapy Community” graphic featuring Ryan Johnson and Riffs with Ryan logo. Three photos show Ryan at a tabling event for Riffs with Ryan, the Riffs with Ryan logo and mission, and Ryan playing guitar with a band.]

THANK YOU REP. JENNIFER “RITA” HARRIS FOR CO-SPONSORING HB829!HB829/SB478 will create a much-needed state license for bo...
02/04/2026

THANK YOU REP. JENNIFER “RITA” HARRIS FOR CO-SPONSORING HB829!

HB829/SB478 will create a much-needed state license for board-certified music therapists to:
1. Protect consumers from harm & distress,
2. Increase equitable access to care, and
3. Ensure a high standard of care.

To read more and track the bill’s progress, visit our Linktree or track here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/829

Thank you, Rep. Jennifer “Rita” Harris, for your support of music therapy state licensure!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MUSIC THERAPY LICENSURE IN FLORIDA!ONE WEEK until Florida Music Therapy Hill Day 2026! The Flor...
02/03/2026

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MUSIC THERAPY LICENSURE IN FLORIDA!

ONE WEEK until Florida Music Therapy Hill Day 2026! The Florida Music Therapy Task Force wants to take the time to thank all the individuals/families and organizations/businesses who have signed our coalition in support for Music Therapy Licensure in FL so far. We are continuing to seek support from our community partners for HB829/SB478 to create a state license for music therapists. If you haven’t already, head to our LinkTree to sign our Coalition of Support for Music Therapy Licensure in Florida, or complete the form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdypssPEQZVSW0_8CqlKdtl16JlOQbN38-Jo4EI-_fICksK9A/viewform

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations:
American Music Therapy Association
South Eastern Region of American Music Therapy Association
Certification Board for Music Therapists
Southeastern University
AdventHealth
Brooks Rehabilitation
Alzheimer’s Project
Brookdale Centre Pointe
Apalachee Center, Inc.
Music Therapy Haven, Inc.
Healing Hearts Music Therapy, LLC
Swan City Music Therapy, LLC
Lively Speech and Language Therapy, LLC
Joyful Music Therapy
Making Waves Music Therapy
Gulf Coast Music Therapy
Soft Cloud Music Therapy, LLC
Capital City Music Therapy
Key Music Therapy, LLC
Rob Leiter Music Therapy, LLC
NPO Music LLC
Eastern Artists Expressive Therapies
Whole Steps Creative Arts Center, LLC
Neuro Music Therapy, LLC
North Heart Music Therapy LLC
Florida Music Therapy
Shiner Music Therapy, LLC
Neuro-Rhythmic Rehab Music Therapy LLC
Central Florida Community Arts

THANK YOU REP. FENTRICE DRISKELL FOR CO-SPONSORING HB829!HB829/SB478 will create a much-needed state license for board-c...
02/02/2026

THANK YOU REP. FENTRICE DRISKELL FOR CO-SPONSORING HB829!

HB829/SB478 will create a much-needed state license for board-certified music therapists to:
1. Protect consumers from harm & distress,
2. Increase equitable access to care, and
3. Ensure a high standard of care.

To read more and track the bill’s progress, visit our Linktree or track here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/829

Thank you, Rep. Fentrice Driskell, for your support of music therapy state licensure!

SUPPORT HB 829/SB 478 MUSIC THERAPY LICENSURE ACT!Why music therapy licensure matters:1. Protects Consumers from Harm a ...
01/29/2026

SUPPORT HB 829/SB 478 MUSIC THERAPY LICENSURE ACT!
Why music therapy licensure matters:
1. Protects Consumers from Harm a Distress
Music therapists work with some of our most vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and patients with complex medical and mental health needs. Music is a powerful clinical tool, but when used improperly it can cause real harm, including hearing damage, neurological dysregulation, emotional distress, and
overstimulation.

2. Ensure a High Standard of Care
Licensure establishes consistency, accountability, and public trust across healthcare, education, and community settings. Importantly, this legislation does not prohibit other professionals from using music within their scope of practice. It simply ensures that when services are advertised or delivered as music therapy, they are provided by appropriately trained and credentialed professionals.

3. Increase Equitable Access to Care
Licensure will improve access to music therapy for more Floridians as it will meet
provider qualifications required by state programs. Service access will increase as Florida healthcare and special education facilities will be able to identify and employ licensed music therapists who are held to high standards of ethics and professional practice, and demonstrate competency through board certification and continuing education activity.

We urge our Florida Legislators to stand with the music therapy community of therapists, consumers, and their families, and support HB 829/SB 478! Additionally, we urge our music therapy community to sign our coalition of support. Visit the FL MT Task Force link tree in our bio to learn how you can support music therapy licensure in the state of Florida.

[ID: gold-toned graphic titled “Why Music Therapy Licensure Matters” with key reasons to support music therapy licensure - HB 829/SB 478]

THANK YOU SEN. KRISTEN ASTON ARRINGTON FOR CO-SPONSORING SB478!HB829/SB4780 will create a much-needed state license for ...
01/28/2026

THANK YOU SEN. KRISTEN ASTON ARRINGTON FOR CO-SPONSORING SB478!

HB829/SB4780 will create a much-needed state license for board-certified music therapists to:
1. Protect consumers from harm & distress,
2. Increase equitable access to care, and
3. Ensure a high standard of care.

To read more and track the bill’s progress, visit our Linktree or track here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/478

Thank you, Sen. Kristen Aston Arrington, for your support of music therapy state licensure!

✨ JANUARY UPDATES✨Swipe through to learn about MT Hill Day, advocacy tips, calls to action, and ways to support the Flor...
01/27/2026

✨ JANUARY UPDATES✨

Swipe through to learn about MT Hill Day, advocacy tips, calls to action, and ways to support the Florida Music Therapy Task Force. Together, we’re advocating for formal recognition and increased access to music therapy across Florida. 💛🎶



[1: Yellow–orange gradient background with the FLMTTF logo at the top and text that reads: “January Updates. Swipe for more information about the MT licensure bills & hill day 2026 advocacy”

2: “Townhall Recap” highlights the new FLMTTF 2026 Advocacy Toolkit, including an overview of state recognition, introduction of SB478 and HB829, potential costs, and next steps with calls to action. A checklist encourages contacting legislators, connecting with music therapy supporters, and staying up to date. A link directs viewers to linktr.ee/flmusictherapytf.

3: “Save the Dates” lists upcoming events: a Hill Day Training on February 8, 2026 (virtual), a Hill Day Volunteer Social on February 9, 2026 in Tallahassee, and Florida Music Therapy Hill Day on February 10, 2026 at the Florida State Capitol. An RSVP link is included at linktr.ee/flmusictherapytf.

4: “Support the FLMTTF” followed by bullet points: follow on social media, subscribe to newsletter, nominate an MT, volunteer for Hill Day, share information, respond to calls of action, bookmark linktree, and contact email.]

THANK YOU SEN. ALEXIS CALATAYUD FOR CO-SPONSORING SB478!HB829/SB4780 will create a much-needed state license for board-c...
01/26/2026

THANK YOU SEN. ALEXIS CALATAYUD FOR CO-SPONSORING SB478!

HB829/SB4780 will create a much-needed state license for board-certified music therapists to:
1. Protect consumers from harm & distress,
2. Increase equitable access to care, and
3. Ensure a high standard of care.

To read more and track the bill’s progress, visit our Linktree or track here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/478

Thank you, Sen. Alexis Calatayud, for your support of music therapy state licensure!

Address

Tallahassee, FL
32300–32399

Website

http://www.cbmt.org/

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