Smiling person sitting cross-legged, wearing a blue headscarf, white jacket, and black outfit against a plain background.

Olivia Maisel BMUS, MA, MT-BC, MTA, NMT

I’m Olivia Maisel, a dedicated and compassionate music therapist who firmly believes in the transformative power of music to heal and connect. My mission is to create a safe and supportive environment where my clients can freely express themselves through music.

Music has been a sanctuary for me since childhood, and it continues to play a vital role in my life as a performer, singer, and, of course, as a music therapist. I hold a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from New York University (NYU) and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Vocal Performance from Schulich School of Music, McGill University. My expertise has been further enriched through training at Nordoff-Robbins and in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). I am a certified Music Therapist in both Canada and the USA (MTA & MT-BC) as well as a Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT). You can view my credentials under licenses and certification, as well as my clinical experience here.

Fluent in both French and English, I offer my services to a diverse range of clients. I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals of all ages and abilities. In recent years, I’ve especially specialized in working with those who have autism, neuro-disabilities, and learning disabilities. My approach addresses various needs, including self-esteem, emotional regulation, anxiety, and interpersonal skills. It is grounded in a psychodynamic, humanistic, and person-centered framework, emphasizing the individuality of each client and tailoring the therapy process to their unique needs.

I am committed to ethical and effective therapy, adhering to the guidelines set by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT). Inclusivity is central to my practice, and I am continuously working to best serve individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities, including the LGBTQIA+ community. I also wish to offer my reverence to the Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk) people, and to the land on which I live and work. I believe everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, respected, and empowered to be themselves. This is at the heart of my practice as a therapist.

My deep personal connection to music and extensive clinical training offer a therapy experience that is both musically rich and evidence-based. I look forward to meeting you!

PS: If you’re curious to listen to my album, click here!

Testimonials

  • "As parents of a young boy with autism who is passionate about music, we were looking for an activity where he could truly flourish while enjoying learning to play sheet music or creating his own compositions. We decided to try music therapy and were pleasantly surprised by Olivia’s expertise. Olivia is an accomplished musician who is passionate about her work. We quickly noticed that she was fully committed to supporting our son and knew exactly how to channel his energy to make the sessions productive. In a short time, he has made tremendous progress and is more open to letting others into his world when he works on his music. We are delighted with Olivia’s services, and that’s why we have decided to continue with her this year. Thank you so much for your patience and for your invaluable help in guiding our little boy in the right direction."

    Noa's Parents

  • "Music therapy is an absolutely wonderful tool for autistic children; it is a true healing experience. Our music therapist, Olivia, is a genius—a great professional and at the same time a very warm and cordial person. My kids love her and the music classes, where they practice different instruments like the drums, piano, guitar, violin, accordion, and more. They sing songs, and it feels like a real treatment. I know my sons truly love the music; they try to repeat the melodies, and my youngest sings with the melody, even without the words—they both don't speak yet. Their hand-eye coordination is improving, I can see it. Music helps them enhance their motor skills, attention, social interaction, communication, and more. We are so lucky and grateful to have Olivia, and we plan to work with her for many more years. She is incredibly kind and supportive. My sons are always calmer and happier after a music therapy session."

    Leonard & Edouard's Mom

  • "My daughter’s music therapy session with Olivia is, without a doubt, her favorite time of the week!! Sasha has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal. Music is THE main 'gateway' for her: to stimulate her communication, language, concentration, engagement, and socialization. For Sasha, everything goes through music! Olivia understood Sasha from the very first minute and brought her into a zone of happiness, collaboration, and learning. She is very skilled at decoding her mood, desires, and what drives and motivates her. Olivia gets Sasha to work hard without her even realizing it, leading to great progress. Thank you, precious Olivia!!"

    Sasha's Mom

  • "My son’s music therapy sessions with Olivia were the highlight of his week! Olivia’s passion for music and loving nature made it easy for him to connect with her on many levels. He adored playing and expanding upon his favorite songs with Olivia, as well as joining her on new musical journeys. Olivia has a beautiful way of following a child’s lead, yet at the same time, guiding them through rich musical improvisation, involving singing, harmonizing, and exploring a variety of instruments. My son loved every moment he spent creating music with Olivia and, as a result, became more flexible and creative!"

    Jimi T's Mom

  • "Our son, Leo, has been working with Olivia for the past four months. Olivia is kind, warm, and enthusiastic, and Leo always leaves her sessions smiling and excited. He loves that Olivia allows him to express himself and explore many different areas of music. Leo has been able to play and experience lots of different instruments in an open and therapeutic environment. We have seen his love for music grow since starting sessions with Olivia and highly recommend her!"

    Léo M's Mom

  • "My son Paul has been doing weekly music therapy sessions with Olivia since January 2023. Paul, who is very timid and quiet, finds himself being able to vocalize and express his thoughts and feelings through music. I believe working with Olivia is an excellent way to develop language and artistic skills in a child with a speech delay. In addition, it is a fun way to learn and do therapy in the form of an activity which isn’t burdensome for the child."

    Paul's Mom

  • "Olivia is an exceptional special needs music therapist whose expertise and patience are truly transformative. During the past year, Olivia has helped my 4-year-old son who has Down's syndrome increase his language and social abilities, all the while ensuring he experiences the joy of music. My son looks forward to his music therapy sessions with Olivia, and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking creative strategies to help their child grow and thrive."

    Aiden's Mom

  • "I'm glad I found a therapist as patient, friendly, and knowledgeable as Olivia. I've been taking lessons with her for my 5-year-old with ASD level 1 for a couple of months now, and we are very satisfied. My son is always happy to go see her! 5 stars ★★★★★"

    Leo's Dad

  • "Our son looks forward to Olivia’s music therapy sessions every week. Olivia allows him to discover musical instruments and enjoy different music activities. Her patience and enthusiasm provide our son with a positive and calming experience each week."

    Davide's Parents

  • "Gia’s music therapist does a remarkable job, creating a warm and supportive environment that encourages her to express herself through music. Olivia seems to deeply understand Gia’s needs, tailoring each session to her unique strengths and preferences. The therapist’s patience, creativity, and skill in using music to foster emotional and cognitive growth are truly commendable. Her dedication has had a noticeable impact, helping Gia connect with music in a meaningful way while promoting her well-being and confidence."

    Gia’s Mom