Maya Chriqui

Clinical Site Lead, Music Therapy, GTA, Toronto

Maya received her Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree from Capilano University in B.C. where she also conducted her private practice before returning to Toronto. As the founder of blueballoon’s Music Therapy department, she has treated a variety of children from infancy to adulthood at both the Toronto and Aurora clinics. Maya is an accredited music therapist and a member in good standing with the Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT). Most of her experience has been working with children who have neurologic or genetic challenges and those with physical or psychological/emotional challenges. She has treated children with Autism, ASD, ADD/ADHD, Angelman's Syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Chromosome Deletion disorders, Down's Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, Rett's Syndrome, PDD (and PDD-NOS), Williams Syndrome, behaviour and emotional challenges, hearing/visually challenged and those with communication/speech impairments, as well as children otherwise difficult to treat with traditional therapies. Most recently, Maya acquired her Neurologic Music Therapy Certification (NMT) from the University of Colorado (recognized by the World Federation of Neurologic Rehabilitation). Maya uses standardized, evidence based NMT techniques to work with clients with pre-existing and acquired brain injuries and neurologic disorders to obtain their goals with greater ease and excitement. She has provided treatments and workshops at schools, homes, and hospitals and has been a keynote speaker at many industry events. Maya has always enjoyed learning and collaborating with teachers and other health care professionals as well as colleagues, but especially enjoys learning from her clients and families. It's important to Maya that children be treated with respect for who they are first as individuals and not based on their possible diagnosis.