One of the countless ways that music therapists can help clients is by offering music for relaxation. In music therapy, live music has several advantages over recordings in that the tempo, rhythm, and character of the music can be tailored to clients’ needs moment to moment. However, sometimes live music is not available. Maybe the music therapist went home, or maybe you are the music therapist! What then? Generally speaking, deeply relaxing music should be steady, lengthy, a

April is Autism Awareness Month, so it feels like a fitting time to address the topic of different communication styles in music therapy. Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or individuals with a variety of other diagnoses, do not use spoken language as their primary form of communication. This can be challenging at first, especially since for many of us, we rely heavily on speaking to one another as a means of connection and understanding. However, if you have o

Deee-Lite - Groove Is In The Heart (Official Music Video), Full HD (Digitally Remastered & Upscaled) Circa 1990’s, this song was my dancing jam.  Not only was it a song frequently played at ‘Shenanigans,’ on Water Street of University Wisconsin Eau Claire, but the song title was a growing theme in my young music therapy student’s heart and mind! Today I will share an acronym that I learned as a student that describes the process that a board-certified music therapist uses whe

I have been using “lyric writing” as a way to process life experiences for about 20-25 years or so. I used quotation marks there because they so rarely end up turning into songs. It was a few years ago when I realized what I have been doing is perhaps more poetry than lyric writing, though I suppose there’s really not much difference. I find that inspiration can strike any time, and am one of those people who typically keeps a notebook nearby in case some words arrive in my h

In Minnesota, we are fortunate to have access to many opportunities to experience  traditional Irish music. When my children were younger, they participated in Irish dance lessons.  During performances, it was hard to miss the rhythmic entrainment of not only the dancers, but  everyone in the audience. From a young age, dancers are taught to recognize and differentiate rhythmic meter, or beat patterns for specific dances. For example, dancers learn that repeating  the word “p

During my senior year as a music therapy undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to live and volunteer at a Hospice home for those who had a prognosis of 3 months or less to live and did not have a stable living situation. While I was not yet a practicing music therapist, the experiences I had there shaped my understanding of the particular power of music and prevalence of spiritual care in this population.         Hospice/End-of-life care is palliative in a physical sen

Books are a common tool music therapists use in sessions to bring a story to song, or a song to life in a different way. For music therapists working with children or vulnerable people facing the stress and fear of separation, deportation, or detention, check out this book list compiled in collaboration by the MN Department of Health and UMN Extension. The document also has helpful tips for using these books sensitively. Below are a few considerations for music therapists. A

Passing the Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) exam is a milestone many of us dream about from the very first music therapy class. It represents years of coursework, clinical hours, supervision, self-reflection, and growth. Not just as a student, but as a therapist. If you’re preparing to sit for the CBMT Board Certification Exam, take a deep breath. You are closer than you think. Understanding the Exam Itself To earn the MT-BC credential, candidates must pass the CBMT b

The iso principle is a commonly used and well known technique among music therapists.  The iso principle is “a technique by which music is matched with the mood of a client, then gradually altered to affect the desired mood state.  This technique can also be used to affect physiological responses such as heart rate and blood pressure.” (Davis, Gfeller, & Thaut, 2008).  Utilizing the iso principle can be an extremely effective tool to alter emotional symptoms (mood) and physic

The first official day of winter is upon us, and if you’re reading from anywhere in the Midwest, you’ll know that it has felt like winter for a long time! For music therapists, this time of year is such a fun opportunity to tap into our repertoire of winter and holiday tunes. If you are looking for new tools for your winter music therapy toolbox, here are 4 winter and Christmas themed interventions you can try!  12 Days of Christmas - Instrument Play Remix Goals Addressed: In

Here are some tunes that have been useful to me in sessions, maybe you know them already but if not, these are good’uns! “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” written in 1978 by Jeff Moss and performed on Sesame Street by Ernie (Jim Henson). This song was re-introduced to me by Erin Frees, MT-BC when I was interning at Children’s Minnesota. She utilized it as a lullaby to help encourage rest. I say re-introduced because I remember playing it once or twice at random gigs with lo

Music therapists often incorporate music-based interventions that reflect the current seasons. As the calendar turns to November, I often find myself struggling to integrate the concept of gratitude into sessions. On one hand, practicing gratitude has been shown to positively impact health and wellbeing by improving sleep, mood, and immunity; and has also been shown to decrease depression, anxiety and chronic pain (American Heart Association, 2023). On the other hand, clients

One thing that I have always loved about being a music therapist is the way I get to blend many of my skills together.  I am a musician. I blend both technique and precision with self-expression and creativity. I am flexible, adaptable and often play in collaboration with others (hello orchestra people!) I am a therapist. I care for people, and can understand their needs through assessment. I can listen, engage, guide and support.  I am an allied health professional. I work i

In music therapy, accessibility is essential. Every client should have the opportunity to participate in music-making, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive ability. Adaptive instruments make that possible. These tools and modifications expand how clients can engage in musical experiences, supporting clinical goals through active participation. What Are Adaptive Instruments? Adaptive instruments are musical tools designed or modified to meet individual needs. They all

As Halloween rolls around this week, I thought I would give a little rundown of my favorite songwriting intervention to use in group settings with older adults near holidays! Display an image on a projector screen/TV with seasonal relevance , preferably involving an action  and a relational component  (a family, a couple, a group of friends, etc.); all of these elements will make it easier for clients to create a story with their song and to recall their own memories. For exa

As music therapists, we are trained on guitar, piano, voice, and percussion. But many music therapists spend years cultivating a personal relationship to music by learning a different instrument long before pursuing a career in the field. Yet, many MT-BCs don’t use their primary instrument in clinical settings.  Music therapy interventions can be effectively facilitated on an instrument outside of those taught in music therapy curriculum. For instance, hearing a new sound ca

In our work as music therapists, we interact with individuals of all ages and abilities. It is important to consider the different ways...

Be honest. How many of you hear the word ‘ice-breaker’ and immediately feel panicked? You’re not alone. Ice-breakers can be anxiety...

Have you ever considered integrating nature into your music therapy practice? A recent study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy found...

When people hear that I am a music therapist, they often jump to the conclusion that my job entails playing sedative, atmospheric music...