Marietta College announces promotion, addition to Music Therapy department
Marietta, Ohio (08/16/2022) — Marietta College recently named Brent Beeson, MS, MT-BC, program director for the Music Therapy program, as well as added Abby Dodds, MM, MT-BC, as an adjunct instructor in the program.
"I am excited to take on my new role as program director," said Beeson, who is entering his fourth year at Marietta and 12th year of clinical practice and teaching music therapy. "We are growing a great program here at Marietta with so much potential. My goal is to continue for the students to enjoy a tight-knit and supportive community, both in the classroom and in their field training."
A native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Beeson has enjoyed being back home as he helps to grow and share the future of music therapy in the region. In addition to his teaching at Marietta College, Beeson provides music therapy in the community, specializing in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, as well as Dynamic Music and Sandwork. His clinical and research interests often focus on treating the effects of chronic developmental trauma.
"I believe our deliberate focus on integral music therapy practice provides our graduates with the most flexible and responsive music therapy training, allowing them to excel in using their music and compassion to improve the wellness of the individuals they serve," Beeson said.
Dodds is a music therapist located in Marietta, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in vocal music and psychology from Kent State University in 2018 before beginning undergraduate equivalency and graduate study in music therapy at Ohio University. After completing her clinical internship with University Hospitals' Connor Integrative Health Network in Cleveland, Ohio, Dodds earned her CBMT certification in early 2021.
"I am excited to join the students and faculty at Marietta College, and I am proud to integrate my clinical expertise and love for our community with my desire to promote healing and self-discovery through music," she said.
Dodds recently earned her MM in music therapy after presenting her master's thesis, titled "Becoming Aware, Taking Control and Connecting with Self in Reflexive Music Therapy: An Adult Woman's Journey toward Therapeutic Change." She practices full-time at Camden-Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg, where she developed and facilitates a patient-centered medical music therapy program.
Dodds has experience providing compassionate care to adult and geriatric patients in medical, inpatient psychiatric, and community settings, and she is also experienced in providing pediatric and newborn health and wellness care. Her advanced clinical fieldwork and private practice experience includes providing group and individual support to neuro-typical adults and teens experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, and life transition, neuro-divergent adults and children requiring varying degrees of support, and children and young adults in special education settings.
"I am so happy that Abby Dodds is joining our team," Beeson said. "She is already a friend and supporter of our program, and she will continue to share her musical self, as well as her professional expertise in building a medical music therapy program. She has been very successful in bringing music therapy to Camden-Clark Medical Center, and she models for our students what it is like to practice successfully as a full-time music therapist. I welcome her enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience."
Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy back in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers more than 50 majors and is consistently ranked as one of the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, as well as one of the nation's best by Forbes.com. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major. Marietta College has also been named a Great College to Work For four consecutive years (2018-2021).
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