Our New Team Member - Ms. Ava!
Thanks to the wonderful support of our families and community, Dynamic Lynks has been growing rapidly in 2018! To meet the needs of the amazing individuals we serve, the time has come to hire another therapist on to the team. The search for the perfect fit at Dynamic Lynks led us to the talented, Ava Marvin!
Ava joins Dynamic Lynks after successful completion of her 1,040 hour internship in music therapy at the Institute for Therapy through the Arts (ITA). While completing her internship at ITA, Ava had the opportunity to work with a variety of clinical populations and explore ITA's unique approach to social skill development. We are so excited to have Ava join the team and to add her skills to our variety of individual and group sessions!
To give you the chance to get to know Ava, we did a little Q and A for our Dynamic Lynks family!
Q: Where did you grow up, and what brought you to the Chicago area?
A: I grew up in northern Virginia, a little outside of DC. I grew up in a weird spot next to a cow field, but also could hop easily into the city. The city life drew me in. I am a very extroverted and energetic person. I need to be in the city environment – lively, music, and people everywhere, which led me to the vibrant city of Chicago!
Q: Where did you go to college for your music therapy degree?
A: I went to Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. Charlotte is a vibrant, growing city. Our music therapy department exposed us to a wide range of populations and music therapy approaches and philosophies. We were a very tight knit, family community.
Q: What clinical populations do you have experience working with?
A: Everything! School settings, preschool all the way to high school, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric, medical, individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Q: What are your favorite instruments to use in Music Therapy sessions?
A: My favorite instruments to use would probably be the guitar, the ukulele, jingle bells, and tambourines. I like using the iPad and other means of technology, synths and making beats! I am a classically trained guitarist and love creating adapted guitar and ukulele interventions for my clients to use in session.
Q: What are your favorite skills to work on in Music Therapy sessions?
A: Social and emotional goals. Increasing emotional regulation, improving mood and self-esteem, and encouraging positive social group interactions.
Q: If you weren’t a music therapist, what would you be?
A: There are a lot of things I would be, but my favorite is a cruise ship activities director!
Q: What do you want the Dynamic Lynks family to know about you?
A: I want them to know that I’m a very happy, easy-going, energetic person. I can’t wait to have some fun, make some music and help each individual reach their fullest potential!
If you are interested in your child starting individual sessions with Ava, you can email us at info@dynamiclynks.com and we will add you to her schedule!
