James Riley

I am a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), with a Master’s degree and additional NICU-MT training who engages in field research and leading local, regional, and national presentations.  I am also an active member of the Florida Music Therapy Task Force, a group working towards state licensure in order to protect the public and increase access to music therapy services.  I provide individual and group music therapy or multi-instrumental music lessons across the bay area through Music Sweet Music, Inc. and Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC.

My professional mission is to advance music, health, and humanity through compassionate, evidence-based music therapy, while continuing education, research, and advocacy.

Before joining the St. Petersburg community, I served as an assistant professor of Music Therapy through the Florida State University.  Some of the most challenging but rewarding courses in my teaching schedule included Orientation to Music Therapy, Anatomy for Music Therapy Practice, Advanced Guitar, and Music Therapy Methods Lab.  I also valued the chance to supervise clinical work through the PACE Center for Girls, Inc., Turn About, Inc., Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Rehabilitation Center, and my Veterans Creative Arts Therapy Rock Band.

Additional field experiences include MT for patients with serious mental illness in the Southwestern State Hospital of Thomasville, GA; groups of war veterans with PTSD in the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL; individuals in the Tallahassee Leon Homeless Shelter; patients with acute mental health and/or substance use disorders in the Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center; individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury through local work and for the state association; children with speech and language disorders; and children on the Autism spectrum. My passion for the field has also inspired advocating MT at OneSpark, the world’s largest crowdfunding festival, as well as on local television, in career fairs, professional conferences, and in the Florida State Capitol.

Born and raised in Key West, FL, I love the ocean, live music, good coffee, and delicious food.  Please help me find the hidden gems here in St. Pete!  My hobbies include playing music, reading, and traveling.