Music Therapist
Jason Scolnick is a board certified music therapist, mental health counseling clinician, and professional musician whose work bridges music, emotional wellness, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and recovery-oriented mental health support. Based in Watertown, Massachusetts, Jason holds a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Music Therapy from Lesley University and has devoted his career to helping individuals use music as a pathway toward communication, empowerment, creativity, growth, and connection.
Jason has extensive experience working with autistic individuals, neurodiverse children and young adults, and people navigating mental health challenges. As a Mental Health Counseling and Music Therapy Intern at 3LPlace, he facilitated client-led, goal-oriented music therapy sessions and developmental education groups for young adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. His work emphasized emotional expression, social connection, self-advocacy, developmental growth, and wellness through both improvisational and structured musical experiences. During his internship at King Open School, he provided group and individual music therapy services for neurotypical and neurodiverse students from preschool through fifth grade, while composing therapeutic songs designed to support social-emotional learning and communication goals.
Prior to his formal training in music therapy, Jason spent more than two decades working in peer support and community mental health services at organizations including Advocates, Inc. and McLean Hospital. In these roles, he facilitated peer support groups, hearing voices groups, empowerment workshops, music jams, and open mics while supporting individuals experiencing psychiatric crises and long-term mental health challenges. Over the course of approximately twenty years as both a Certified Peer Specialist and music educator, Jason also taught guitar lessons to individuals in mental health recovery, using music as a tool for confidence-building, emotional expression, skill development, empowerment, and community connection. His philosophy is grounded in compassion, trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented practice, and the belief that authentic human connection and creative expression are central to healing and growth.
Alongside his therapeutic work, Jason has maintained a lifelong career as a performing and recording musician, songwriter, and music educator. He has taught guitar to students of all ages and skill levels, specializing in supportive, individualized instruction that nurtures creativity, confidence, and self-expression. As an independent artist and performer, his original music has received national college and independent radio airplay, and he continues to compose, record, and perform original instrumental and rock music. Through both therapy and teaching, Jason seeks to create musical experiences that foster empowerment, emotional growth, communication, joy, and meaningful human connection.