Music is for everyone. As music therapists, we are always looking for more ways to make music experiences more inclusive. This post will share resources and links to answer all of these questions in efforts to make guitar playing accessible for anyone who wants to learn.

Song discussion and lyric analysis interventions are common in music therapy and can provide a variety of benefits throughout the treatment process. These are some example music therapy goals for lyric analysis or song discussion interventions that you can use in your own MT practice.

Music therapists seeking reimbursement or insurance coverage are often required to provide goals that are measurable for treatment approval. Making song selections is an important way to incorporate a client’s preferred music and it can also be an opportunity to target non-musical goals that are important for a client’s overall well-being. Making song selections is an important part of the music therapy process, as using preferred songs can empower the client, increase a client’s connection to the provided interventions, and increase opportunities for song discussion.

Learning how to play an instrument, such as the guitar, transferred into their every day life by providing a meaningful way to target general range of motion, motor planning skills, fine motor skills, bilateral coordination and more! Music therapists seeking reimbursement or insurance coverage are often required to provide goals that are measureable for treatment approval. These are some example goals that be individualized to your client’s needs in music therapy, specifically when create goals in private practice.

Music has the power to transcend cultural boundaries and connect people from all walks of life. Having access to multicultural resources is important for developing cultural competency as music therapists. In this blog, we have curated a list of valuable resources for multicultural music therapy. These resources include books and articles that explore diverse musical traditions, address cultural competency in therapy sessions, and offer practical strategies for incorporating multicultural approaches into our practice.

Using games in music therapy can be a fun way to increase participation in sessions. From rapport building to decision making skills, there are so many goals that musical games can address. In the last few weeks, I’ve found that my clients have really enjoyed incorporating games, specifically dice games, in our sessions so I’ve spent some time over the last month creating new activities for them to enjoy.

Since the start of the pandemic, healthcare providers around the world have been working to keep our communities safe, sometimes at the cost of their lives and well-being. As we mark two years since the initial lockdown, I’d like to share some of my favorite affirmations.

Winter is officially here! ❄️ It’s time to sing songs about snow days, winter coats, and staying warm! There are so many heartwarming Oldies that were meant for this time of year. Some of the common jazz standards from this era are now recognized as popular Christmas songs such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Let it Snow”, and “Sleigh Ride”. I wanted to create a playlist of songs that were winter-themed but not typically associated with Christmas to use in music therapy sessions outside of the holiday season.

Finding time for self care can be difficult in the midst of our daily routines. Whether it’s one song or a weekly class, every moment counts! Here are five ways to use music as a part of your self care routine✨

Music therapists regularly use songwriting and composition interventions in music therapy sessions as a way to promote positive and meaningful self expression. Songwriting is a great way for clients to process emotions and express how they are feeling. Here are a few prompts that can be used for songwriting and journaling for the month of December.

Adapted applications can be an inclusive way for clients to participate in music therapy improvisation. When working with clients virtually, I try to recommend apps that parents can download easily from their child’s iPad or  phone to increase access to music making and music-based resources. I also keep them on my work iPad as well to use in sessions as needed. Here are five apps that you can use in music therapy sessions if you have an iPad or iPhone. Click on the link to download the app! 

One of the questions we get a lot from our incoming students is “How can I prepare for this internship?” There are so many different ways to generally prepare for internship, but there’s also a couple things that are specific to our program here. If you’ve already been accepted or you’re thinking about applying, here are some helpful tips and things to consider.