Learn More
About how I can support you, your loved one, client, or facility.
About Justine
Justine Stehouwer RP MTA graduated with distinction from Capilano University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music Therapy and completed her certification internship at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, focused on inpatient psychiatric care.
Since then, she has spent eight years working in private and community practice in Toronto, Caledon and Hamilton, supporting adults and adolescents of all ages and abilities, including those living with mental illness, acquired brain injury, physical and/or developmental disabilities.
Justine also continues to focus on older adults’ wellness, mental health and dementia care in her work in community, hospital and long-term care settings. Additionally, Justine enjoys supporting adults and adolescents in using music to support their self care and well-being while teaching about everyday mental health concepts and stress reduction strategies through music therapy groups and workshops.
In her free time, Justine enjoys reading, walks by the bay, time with her nieces, meeting any dogs she can, and exploring Hamilton’s great food, coffee, and parks! She loves to create through expressive art, baking, crafting and is learning to knit and cross stitch.
Learn more about music therapy, psychotherapy, and her clinical approach below.
What is Music Therapy?
Officially, “Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.”
Canadian Association of Music Therapists - September 2020
Justine describes her job as a music therapist as bringing music to people, wherever they are and whatever they are experiencing. Music therapists are trained to take seemingly ordinary music experiences, such as singing and tapping rhythms, into engaging and beneficial opportunities for presence and growth and connection.
About Music Therapist Credentials
Music therapists in Canada are certified by the CAMT after graduating from an undergraduate or graduate training program and completing a 1000-hour supervised internship, and maintain certification through ongoing supervision and continuing education. Certification means being held to a Code of Ethics and professional standards.
For more information visit the Canadian Association of Music Therapists
What happens in sessions?
Each session is unique! Some elements of sessions include playing familiar or favourite music, improvising with melodic and percussion instruments, listening to recordings, talking about how we experience music and life. Sometimes gentle movement, creative arts, songwriting, lyric analysis, guided relaxation and receptive music can be beneficial as well. Sessions are catered to each person’s needs, likes, and goals after initial assessment sessions and through conversation with clients and/or their caregivers. Music therapy is highly adaptable and accessible. No previous musical experience or skill required!
Justine’s approach is eclectic, client-centred and focused on being present with her clients - meeting them in the moment. This leads to the therapeutic relationship, a connection based on safety and trust, through which she can offer opportunities for expression, growth, and creative experiences in and out of the music.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy intended to help people improve mental health and well-being. Some psychotherapy may also include non-verbal activities like music, art or play therapy. Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) work with individuals, couples and families in one-on-one and group settings. Psychotherapy occurs when the RP and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. People usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.
For more information, visit the CRPO website.
CRPO 2018
Justine is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, which means she is held to the standards of practice and Code of Ethics of the CRPO. Justine can support you as you navigate life’s challenges, through both musical and verbal techniques.