Center for Music Therapy

What Center for Music Therapy does

The Center for Music Therapy, Inc. (CFMT) was a private, founder-owned music therapy practice founded in 1990 by Hope Young in Austin, Texas. CFMT delivered individualized and group music therapy to children and adults with developmental disabilities (autism, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder), neurological and movement disorders (Parkinson's, MS, Huntington's, TBI, stroke), dementia/Alzheimer's, psychiatric conditions, premature infants in NICU settings, and — via a partnership with GoMo Health — expecting mothers and newborns. Its clinical programs included one-on-one treatment, the Sync'd Gym and Rehab intensive program, the Health for a Song membership ($65/month), and the 'I Am, My Voice...' teen program ($775 per 8-session term). Reimbursement was sourced from PPO insurance (out-of-network), ATCMHMR, CLASS Medicaid Waiver, and IBM Special Services for Children.

CFMT's proprietary technology stack centered on the 'Movement Tracks Project,' which composes original biomedical music at 4-45 BPM engineered to synchronize with patient gait, integrated with the Biodex Gait Trainer 3 (GT3) and bone-conduction transducer technology in sensory-enhanced treatment rooms. Patents on file cover music technologies for Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson's. Founder Hope Young also established Biomedical Music Solutions, Inc. (BMS) in April 2018 as a separate software vehicle for the technology. Recognition included SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards finalist status in 2018, an Intelligent Health Award, a Harmony Award, the Young Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of the Pacific, and an Austin Mayor proclamation of 'Hope Young Day' on February 11, 2023.

As of January 2023, CFMT closed all offices and discontinued direct patient care services. Active operations are now limited to founder Hope Young's speaking engagements and professional trainings (priced at $2,000-$6,000 per engagement plus travel), booked via [email protected]. The Movement Tracks Project, the Biodex partnership, and related IP remain associated with the founder and BMS, but the underlying clinical services business has ceased.

Name

Center for Music Therapy

Legal name

Center for Music Therapy, Inc.

Website

https://centerformusictherapy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Center for Music Therapy is a founder-owned Austin, Texas music therapy practice founded in 1990 by Hope Young, serving individuals with developmental disabilities, neurological/movement disorders, dementia, and maternal/neonatal needs. Direct care services ceased in January 2023; the founder now offers speaking engagements and trainings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Therapy (Educational/Developmental Programs) (EDAMANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Education & Practice Software (Ear training, tutors, metronome tools) (MPAIAIAJ), Custom Music & Original Score/Composition (MPAIALAD)

Keywords

• Music therapy services
• Neurological rehabilitation therapy
• Developmental therapy programs
• Biomedical music technology
• Movement disorder therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Music Therapy Treatment: One-on-one therapy sessions for children and adults with developmental disabilities, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and head injuries. Goal areas include communication, motor function, social/emotional and behavioral development.
2. Sync'd Gym and Rehab Program: Intensive treatment program for adults with movement disorders including Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, or Parkinson's Disease. Includes circuit class, treadmill training, Amp'd class, and Tun'd emotional support classes offered in semesters.
3. Health for a Song Membership: $65/month membership providing access to Steppin Out exercise classes and Club BT social club for adults with developmental delays.
4. Speaking Engagements and Professional Trainings: Booking Hope Young for speaking engagements, workshops, consultations for media, technology, music industry projects, career/professional mentoring, or reimbursement advisory services.
5. Insurance Reimbursement: Documentation provided for patient reimbursement claims; most reimbursement-seeking patients had PPO insurance. Not an HMO network provider. Accepted Austin Travis County MHMR network and CLASS Medicaid Waiver Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Center for Music Therapy provides clinical music therapy services grounded in a proprietary full-spectrum model that maps musical elements (rhythm, melody, harmony) onto non-musical therapeutic goals in speech, movement, cognition, and behavior. The practice serves individuals with developmental disabilities (Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy), neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury), and movement disorders, combining music with biomedical equipment such as the Biodex Gait Trainer 3 and bone-conduction transducers. Following the closure of direct clinical care in January 2023, the founder now delivers speaking engagements and professional trainings focused on the methodology.

Product overview

The Center for Music Therapy (CFMT) is a healthcare organization founded in 1990 that provides music therapy services and related programs. While the organization closed its direct care services in January 2023, it offers a portfolio of programs including the Movement Tracks Project (biomedical music for gait rehabilitation), Sync'd Gym and Rehab (intensive adult movement disorder treatment), Individual Music Therapy Treatment, Health for a Song! subscription membership, the I Am, My Voice... teen program, and Sounds of Healing maternal health services. Speaking engagements and professional trainings by founder Hope Young are also available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Movement Tracks Project: A project of the Center for Music Therapy focused on creating original biomedical music designed for movement therapy, particularly for patients with neurological conditions. It was selected as a finalist in the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards and debuted with Biodex GT3 technology in Paris.

Products and services

• Individual Music Therapy Treatment

Quantifiable outcome

• All 39 brain-injured clients crossed the Statesman Capitol 10,000 finish line
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SoundWell LabminorOthers · 1 January 2023Nonprofit partner organization. Hope Young serves as Executive Director of Soundwell Austin (501c3). Donation matching campaign up to $10,000 in honor of Hope Young Day.
• GoMo HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership to support expecting families and newborns through Sounds of Healing online service providing videos and activities for Music and Your Pregnancy. Activities help mother and baby relax, explore music, and bond.
• Biodex Medical CorpcoreTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2018Biodex debuted the Gait Trainer 3 (GT3) with Movement Tracks Project 'Smarter Steps Volume 1' music at the International Society of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine Congress in Paris. Partnership integrates specialized gait training technology with biomedical music.
• Biomedical Music Solutions, Inc. (BMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2018Software company founded by Hope Young in April 2018 stemming from technology projects combining music with biomedical technologies. Represents next generation of music therapy innovations.
• Austin City UP (Smart City Consortium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Smart city consortium partner supporting Movement Tracks Project innovation and technology initiatives.
• Sound Mind AustinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration for teen program 'I Am, My Voice...' co-facilitated by a psychotherapist and music therapist. David Braham founded Sound Mind Austin to support mental health of musicians and music industry professionals.
• Austin Travis County Mental Health and Mental Retardation (ATCMHMR)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995Provider on the ATCMHMR network for Developmentally Disabled (DD) section services as part of In Home and Family Support Program.
• CLASS Medicaid Waiver ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995Provider under CLASS Medicaid Waiver Program serving A Touch of Class and Disability Services of the Southwest participants at CFMT facility.
• IBM Special Services for ChildrenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1990Provider with IBM Special Services for Children for music therapy services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MedRhythms: Digital therapeutics company building neurologic music therapy software for stroke and TBI gait recovery — directly comparable technology stack (music + biometric sensors + gait training) and target indication overlap (stroke, TBI, Parkinson's).
• Biomedical Music Solutions, Inc. Software company founded by Hope Young in April 2018 to productize the integration of music with biomedical technologies — built on the same Movement Tracks Project IP and founder expertise, representing the technology spin-out of CFMT.

Emerging players

• SingFit (Musical Health Technologies): Music therapy platform specifically designed for older adults and dementia care; shares CFMT's use of music in geriatric and cognitive populations but is delivered via a digital platform rather than in-clinic.
• TUNED: Emerging music-based digital therapeutics platforms targeting focus, sleep, and anxiety; comparable in using audio as a clinical intervention but targeting different conditions than CFMT's neurologic/developmental focus.
• Apollo Neuroscience: Consumer and clinical health technology company using sound and vibration to modulate nervous system activity — overlaps with CFMT's bone-conduction transducer approach and the broader music-as-medicine category.

Others

• Biodex Medical Systems: Manufacturer of rehabilitation equipment including the Gait Trainer 3; CFMT's primary OEM/distribution partner for Movement Tracks Project music and therefore a critical ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.
• Soundwell Austin (501c3): Nonprofit for which Hope Young serves as Executive Director; complementary community/mission-driven entity adjacent to CFMT's clinical and research work.
• GoMo Health: Digital therapeutic and patient engagement platform partnered with CFMT to deliver the Sounds of Healing maternal health program; comparable patient-engagement use cases in healthcare but different modality.
• Blue Rock Studios: Recording studio where Movement Tracks Project Phase 2 was recorded; an enabling production partner rather than a competitor, illustrating the music-production supply chain behind CFMT's biomedical compositions.

Broad incumbents

• Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy: Long-established global organization delivering music therapy services across developmental, neurological, and psychiatric populations; comparable clinical methodology but operates at much greater scale and without CFMT's hardware-coupled gait technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/psychetruth
• Facebookfacebook.com/centerformusictherapy
• Xx.com/cfmtaustin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-music-therapy-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Music Therapy