A different kind of therapy for intellectual and developmental disabilities in Nashville, TN
Where music leads the way to regulation, confidence, and belonging.
A free, supportive call to explore next steps.
Your days are full — managing appointments, transitions, and complex support needs.
You’re in therapies, but you haven’t yet found a space that sparks pure joy.
You’re noticing a need for whole-person support with milestones, communication, and emotional expression.
Music has always made your child light up and you’re wondering if that could lead to real growth.
What you really want is a place where your child can be fully themselves — supported, celebrated, and seen.
Music therapy at Empower feels different — because your child feels different here.
Sessions are joyful, expressive, and meaningful—while still grounded in evidence-based clinical care. Music therapy can support:
-
Music supports skill-building across cognitive, motor, and social development, meeting each child where they are and honoring their individual pace of growth.
-
Music provides structure, repetition, and motivation that can support expressive and receptive communication in ways that feel safe and engaging.
-
Music offers accessible ways to express feelings through sound, movement, and creativity—especially when words are limited or still emerging.
-
Shared music-making invites connection, turn-taking, and relationship-building in ways that feel natural, playful, and inclusive.
-
Music therapy is built around strengths and creativity, setting clients with IDD/DD up for success from the start. These meaningful “wins” naturally support confidence and a strong sense of capability.
-
Music therapy offers a supportive space for processing experiences while building calming, regulation, and self-soothing habits that can carry into daily routines and transitions.
If this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, we’d love to talk.
Sessions are offered in our clinic, in your home, or virtually and are always tailored to the client.
What does a session look like?
It depends on age, musical preferences, interests, and support needs.
For younger children, sessions often include a visual schedule, movement, singing, and playful social connection.
For adolescents and adults, sessions may focus on songwriting, musical games, and coping strategies.
Sessions are flexible and guided by each client’s sensory profile and special interests.
Our Approach
-
We view neurological differences as a natural part of human diversity, not something to be fixed. Our work prioritizes regulation, autonomy, and quality of life without asking people to mask or change who they are.
-
We recognize that past experiences can shape how someone feels, responds, and engages in therapy. Our approach emphasizes safety, choice, predictability, and pacing that supports trust and nervous system regulation.
-
Each session is shaped around the client’s goals, strengths, and comfort level. We collaborate closely with clients and families and adapt as needs change, rather than following a rigid model.
-
We believe healing happens in relationship. Our work supports not only individuals, but also families, caregivers, and communities, helping people feel connected and supported beyond the therapy room.
Words We Hear Often
-
![]()
"They really get my child."
Empower Parent
-
![]()
“My family feels safe here.”
Empower Family
-
![]()
“We saw real progress while gaining more joy.”
Empower Parent
-
![]()
“Therapy stopped feeling like a battle.”
Empower Client
-
![]()
“It’s the only therapy he actually looks forward to.”
Empower Parent
-
![]()
“We finally found something that fits.”
Empower Family
IDD/DD Therapy FAQ
-
Yes! We work with individuals of all ages and all support needs, including non-speaking clients and those with higher support needs
-
We offer flexible options to support access, including utilizing multiple waiver and funding sources, sliding scale availability, and out-of-network insurance reimbursement support. Learn more here.
-
Yes. We currently have immediate openings at our clinic. We’d love to meet you!
-
That’s very common! Music therapy can greatly complement other services and increase their effectiveness by supporting goals in a naturally motivating way. We often collaborate with other providers to support the whole person.
-
Book a discovery call. This is a no-pressure space to ask questions, share what you’re looking for, and explore next steps together.
We’re a fit for you if…
Your child has complex support needs and responds best to movement, music, and creativity.
Your teen is navigating big feelings and connects best through creative, engaging support.
You’re looking for creative, affirming support for regulation, communication, and connection for your adult child.
Not sure? That’s okay!
A discovery call is a relaxed, no-pressure way to explore whether music therapy feels like the right next step.