We are just about to roll into the new school year.

(How is that even possible when it feels like summer was just starting?!)

Nevertheless, a new school year is right around the corner.

So, I wanted to share some fresh ideas for your music therapy sessions and classes with school-age children and teens.

But not just any ideas!

Ideas for how to use not-so-therapeutic songs therapeutically. 

Many of the songs that are popular now have content and lyrics that aren’t appropriate for use in our sessions (due to restrictions from a school or facility) or that make it difficult to figure out how to possibly use them in a therapeutic manner.

But client preferred music is the gold standard, right?

So what do we do when our clients prefer music that has inappropriate language or content?

I am here to share several ways you can use client-preferred and popular music in a therapeutic way, even if that may seem impossible at first.

This is a creative challenge that my brain LOVES, so I put together a little mini-series on the topic.

First up – Name That Tune with a Twist.

The twist is playing the song on your primary instrument or a symphonic instrument (which for me is clarinet!)

You could also pull up a recorded version on YouTube such as “Havana” by Camila Cabello on flute or “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish on saxophone.

These exist – look them up for yourself!

I prefer to present using live music, but YouTube does have some very creative options.

Name That Tune is a great musical game to work on social communication skills in a group setting or auditory perception and listening skills in a one-on-one setting.

And, to the point of this blog post, it’s a great way to work some of those not-so-therapeutic songs into your sessions.

When your client recognizes a song by their favorite artist, it will light them up, excite, and engage them. It lets them know that you value them and their musical preferences.

So, they are more likely to participate for the duration of the musical experience, and more likely meet their goals and objectives.

If this idea has helped or sparked something for you, keep that spark alive! Now through August 31, 2025, you can sign up for Elevate at a discounted rate AND with some awesome bonus material.

Elevate is an email idea subscription designed to help you infuse creativity and FUN into your sessions with school-age & teen clients with autism & related disabilities.

These resources will super charge you and get you ready for your music therapy sessions and classes this Fall.

There are three packages to choose from: the Teen Package, the Attention/Perception Package, or The Holidays & Themes Package.

Each package is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 10 continuing education credits.

You’ll receive an email with new musical experience ideas in your inbox each month for six months.

Click here to sign up for Elevate now through August 31st, so you can take advantage of the discounted rate AND bonus material: Keeping Things Cool for Your Teen Clients in Music Therapy.

In this bonus PDF, you’ll get:

  • Where to hang out to find new music for teens
  • Great pop songs for movement with teens (2025 edition!)
  • How to keep things age appropriate and cool
  • Why & how to use client preferred music