Music Therapy

I believe in:

• the inherent goodness of every person

• the power of music to bring people together

• the importance of self expression for all individuals, verbal and nonverbal

Emily Ross

Emily is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).  In addition to running Self Express Music Therapy Studio, Emily teaches courses in music therapy at Marylhurst University and supervises practicum students in the field.  She is currently president of the Oregon Association of Music Therapy.

Emily received her master's degree in counseling psychology/music therapy from Naropa University. Previously, she spent 27 months teaching English as a Peace Corps Volunteer. A native Oregonian, Emily's first career (seven years) was as a music teacher (K-12) in rural Benton County.  She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Colorado.

Emily has acquired a broad background of experience in working with people on the autism spectrum. In addition to teaching, she has worked as a speech therapy assistant, and as an in-home tutor.  Her six-month music therapy internship was at Laradon Hall, a school serving children age 5-21 with dual diagnoses of developmental challenges and mental health issues, many of whom presented with autistic symptoms.  Emily's emphasis throughout her master's program was on autism, culminating in her master's paper, entitled:  Music Therapy as an Appropriate Intervention in Improving Communication and Relationship Skills in Individuals with Autism. She has worked with children and adults with ASD as a music therapist since 2003.

Emily lives in Portland with her husband, Ted, and their dog and cat.  She enjoys hiking, reading, movies, horseback riding and quilting.  She plays French horn in Pacific Crest Wind Symphony and Jewish Community Orchestra.

Emily dreams of someday combining her love of music therapy and her love of horses into a therapeutic community center called HoofnHorn.