Caryl Beth Thomas, MA, LMHC, has been on the faculty of Lesley University since 1999, including as the interim Music Therapy Coordinator for the 2009-2010 academic year. She is returned to serve as the Interim Music Therapy Coordinator for 2020-2021.
She has been a practicing music therapist since 1984 and has worked in a wide variety of settings, as a clinician, supervisor, and teacher. She completed her MA in Music Therapy at NYU and worked in New York City until 1989. Since coming to Boston in 1990, she has worked in several hospitals, day programs, and community centers, including McLean Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Riverside Community Care, the Community Music Center of Boston, Goodwill Industries, Bay Cove Human Services, the Boston Living Center, and most recently at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital on the Metro Boston Mental Health Units.
She has supervised many music therapy interns from Lesley’s Expressive Therapies programs over the past 30 years, as well as field training students and interns from the Berklee College of Music’s Music Therapy program. She has served in many roles and on various boards, committees, and task forces for the professional association for music therapy, the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association since 1982.
Caryl Beth’s areas of specialization include supervision of professionals and student trainees in music therapy and mental health counseling, use of the voice as a therapeutic instrument, creating community through the use of music, yoga and mindfulness practices, mental health treatment and co-occurring disorders.
She believes in music as a vital part of everyday life, and especially when it can be shared with others. Her favorite songs are inspired by the natural world, the power of love, and our inherent need to connect with other beings as we travel this earth together.