Sammi Acconcio has been a member of the DMS team for 5 years now! We are proud to have her on our team not only as one of our talented music therapists, but as our director of operations. We wanted to take this opportunity to ask Sammi a few questions about herself and her practice over the years.

What have you learned in the past five years as a professional?

“In my five years as a professional, I have learned to go with the flow and recognize all steps of progress as wins. In the past 2-3 years, I have learned more about the sales and business aspects of music therapy practices and how to advocate appropriately for music therapy to legislators, community businesses, and individuals.”

How would you describe your music therapy approach/philosophy? 

“I would describe my philosophy as a person-centered approach through a psychodynamic lens. I view the person as a whole, including their diagnosis, and encourage free expression through music. Having the diagnosis in mind is important for me to understand behaviors and communication and assists me in how I approach the music in the session. Sustaining rapport with clients is very important to me, and I have found the therapeutic relationship to drive progress in music therapy.”

How do you use research to inform your music therapy practice?

“I stay up to date on the newest research for the populations I serve and actively seek out information when something I question comes up. Specifically, when working with teens in mental health, I consistently research what is popular and new ideas that may interest current teens.”

Which musical instruments are your favorite to use in sessions and why?

“I love using the guitar and my voice in sessions. I like to use the guitar to provide musical space within the session as well as to support the client’s emotional, physical, and sensory regulation. I like using my voice as an improvisatory tool to encourage purposeful vocalizations and play interactions.”