Melissa Heffner

Melissa Heffner serves as Director and Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Pacific University, leading the Music Therapy program with expertise in clinical practice and academic instruction. She is a Board-Certified Music Therapist since 2013 with extensive clinical experience across diverse populations.

Education:

• Master of Music in Music Therapy with specialization in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ohio University
• Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with minor in Early Childhood Special Education, Eastern Washington University

Her research centers on interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare professionals, particularly speech-language pathologists, and addressing systemic barriers in music therapy education. She presented findings on educational barriers at the 2025 Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference in Grantham, England, emphasizing telehealth integration and accessibility for neurodivergent populations.

Scientific Awards: None mentioned.

Professor Heffner has supervised music therapy interns and practicum students across Indiana, Texas, and Ohio in clinics, schools, medical facilities, skilled nursing homes, and hospice settings. Her supervision spans both in-person and telehealth modalities, focusing on client populations including disabled children, autistic individuals, neurodivergent adults, and older adults in memory care.

She contributes to the American Music Therapy Association as a member of the Academic Program Approval Committee since 2019, shaping national standards for music therapy education.