Meet Nadine Verboa, music therapist, Youville Home

Music has the power to move us physically, mentally and emotionally, and that’s just what Nadine Verboa, a certified music therapist at Youville Home since 2016, aims to do with residents.

“I work to develop a therapeutic relationship with each person by connecting with them through music,” says Nadine. “Every session is unique as it is guided by the responses and needs of the individual.”

Nadine says there are numerous benefits to music therapy, including increased relaxation, self-expression, overall health and well-being and decreased feelings of isolation. For people who have experienced long-term anxiety, it can be very calming ― they may even feel the positive effects for days after a session.

“Listening to and playing music on your own are highly beneficial, but they’re not the same as music therapy, which involves a certified music therapist who uses the music and elements of music within a therapeutic relationship to achieve various goals,” says Nadine.

“I enter every music therapy session without expectation. This allows me to truly meet each person where they are at and support them through the music.”

During sessions, Nadine must constantly assess the person’s responses and adjust her technique accordingly. She looks for things like changes in facial expression, tension, increased eye contact, vocal activity, physical movement, engagement, changes in breathing and expression of emotion.

“Sometimes I might need to slow down the music or lower the key to make it more accessible to sing. I can also match the tempo of a song to the person’s breath to promote relaxation or help hold space to process emotions that arise from a particular song.”

Every session and every person are different.

“There can be great healing in feeling seen and heard,” says Nadine.