When I tell people I’m a board-certified music therapist, I often get one of two reactions: curiosity or confusion. Many people have heard of music therapy, but they’re not quite sure what it is. Or they have an idea that doesn’t quite match reality. Unfortunately, these misconceptions can keep people from trying a therapy that […]
Artificial intelligence has changed the way we access information. It can summarize articles, answer questions, suggest coping strategies, and even simulate supportive conversations. For many people, AI can be a convenient place to organize thoughts or learn about mental health. But when it comes to healing, information is not the same as therapy. As a […]
When I opened my practice, I wanted to focus primarily on how music therapy can be helpful to women. Women often carry an enormous emotional load. Many are balancing careers, caregiving, relationships, parenting, aging parents, household responsibilities, financial stress, and the constant pressure to “hold it all together.” Even women who appear highly capable on […]
One of the questions I occasionally hear is, “Do you allow explicit music in therapy?” My answer is simple: censoring music in music therapy sessions is not something I do. That sometimes surprises people– especially those who assume therapy should only involve calm, uplifting, or “appropriate” songs. But healing is rarely that tidy. Music therapy […]
Musician vs. Music Therapist: Why the Difference Matters It’s a common and understandable mix-up: if someone is skilled with music and uses it to help people feel better, doesn’t that make them a music therapist? Not quite. While musicians and music therapists both work with music– their roles, training, and goals are fundamentally different. What […]
Chronic pain is so exhausting. It wears down the body, but it also drains mood, motivation, and hope. That’s where music therapy becomes more than “just relaxing music.” It’s a clinical, evidence-based practice that helps retrain how the brain experiences pain. Pain is processed in the nervous system, not just in the injured area. Research […]
“Then I go to my brotherAnd I say brother help me pleaseBut he winds up knockin’ meBack down on my knees, ohThere have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for longBut now I think I’m able to carry onIt’s been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, […]
Sing with me now– it’s beginning to look a lot like chaos, everywhere I go…. The holidays are fully upon us– quite possibly the most anticipated and dreaded time of year. Yes, there is much to appreciate and be thankful for at this time of year. However, it also promises considerable holiday stress and anxiety […]
The Centers for Disease Control reports that approximately 9% of adults in the US experience the symptoms of depression each year, and that about 3% of adults suffer from major depression (the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44). Additionally, women are 70% more likely to experience depression during their lives than men. Let’s look […]
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive about music therapy. And the answer is a resounding “yes, it can help with anxiety treatment!” So here are the details (and a video!)– Research studies have shown that music therapy is effective at reducing muscle tension, decreasing anxiety, and feelings of agitation. Plus, it […]
