Hidden Gems: Meet Emma Wymer of Birthplace Music Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Wymer

Hi Emma, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After studying music therapy and earning my Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy from Western Michigan University, I started as a pediatric music therapist at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here, I worked with a plethora of kiddos experiencing different diagnoses, including cancer, prematurity, cystic fibrosis, heart conditions, and more. Through individualized music therapy sessions, I aimed to provide emotional support, alleviate pain, and enhance the overall well-being of these children. My experience at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital solidified my passion for using music as a therapeutic tool and inspired me to continue advancing my skills and knowledge in this field.

After working with premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), I noticed a gap in care for new and expecting parents who were caring for medically fragile infants or expecting to deliver a baby with medical complications. This is when I created a wellness and music therapy program for the pregnant and birthing people of Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. This program aimed to provide emotional support, stress relief, and coping strategies through music therapy. It included prenatal sessions to help expecting parents prepare for the emotional journey ahead and postnatal sessions to support them through the challenges of caring for a medically fragile infant. By integrating music therapy into the care plan, we were able to offer a holistic approach that addressed both the emotional and physical needs of parents and their babies. This initiative was well-received and demonstrated the significant impact of music therapy in promoting the well-being of families during such a critical time.

I sought out further education and became certified in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. This expertise and training helped me to uncover a lack of support for new parents in our community, which led me to starting my own private practice, Birthplace Music Therapy. At Birthplace Music Therapy, I specialize in providing comprehensive support for parents throughout the perinatal period, addressing the unique challenges they face through personalized music therapy sessions. My practice focuses on aiding parents in managing stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as fostering bonding with their infants through musical interventions. Additionally, I offer infant and toddler music classes to support community engagement and provide a space for families to connect, learn, and grow together. These classes are designed to enhance early childhood development, encourage parent-child interaction, and build a supportive network for parents navigating the early stages of parenthood. By offering a safe and nurturing environment, Birthplace Music Therapy aims to empower parents, enhance their emotional well-being, and promote healthy family dynamics.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a pretty smooth road, and I’d like to acknowledge the fact that, as a white woman who grew up in a middle-class family, I was granted the opportunity to go to college and pursue my passions without significant barriers. I recognize that not everyone has the same privileges, and this awareness drives my commitment to making music therapy accessible to all families, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. I strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment in my practice, ensuring that every parent and child feels supported and valued.

We’ve been impressed with Birthplace Music Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Birthplace Music Therapy is dedicated to providing compassionate and specialized support for parents and their young children through the transformative power of music. We offer a range of services, including personalized music therapy sessions tailored to the unique needs individuals, engaging infant and toddler music classes that promote early childhood development and parent-child bonding, as well as adaptive music lessons. My practice is known for its expertise in perinatal mental health, focusing on helping parents manage stress, anxiety, and depression during the perinatal period. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, ensuring that all families, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, feel supported and valued. I am most proud of our holistic approach, which combines therapeutic and developmental support to empower families and foster healthy family dynamics. We want our readers to know that at Birthplace Music Therapy, we believe in the healing and connecting power of music, and we are here to support you and your family every step of the way. Visit Birthplace Music Therapy to learn more about our offerings and how we can help you on your parenting journey

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
By the positive impact we have on the lives of the families we serve. Success means seeing parents feel more confident and supported as they navigate the challenges of parenthood, observing children thrive through developmental milestones with the aid of music, and witnessing the deepened bonds between parents and their children. It is measured by the improvements in emotional well-being, reductions in stress and anxiety, and the joy and connection fostered through our music therapy sessions and classes. Ultimately, success is about creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every family feels valued, empowered, and equipped with the tools they need to flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://birthplacemusictherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthplacemusictherapy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthplacemusictherapy/