I am on a mission to figure out how to use “not so therapeutic” songs therapeutically.

I know for me, it is really tough when my clients or students like songs that are not necessarily “appropriate” for school, or seem to me to have little therapeutic value due to the content and lyrics.

But it’s important to me to learn how to use these songs in our sessions as a way to: a) validate my clients’ musical taste (therefore validating THEM!), and b) better engage them to work on their goals and objectives.

My brain LOVES this creative challenge, so I am sharing what I’ve come up with in this blog series.

In last week’s post, I shared how to facilitate Name That Tune with a Twist – it’s a simple way to work in those songs that you don’t know how to otherwise use purposefully.

(And to work on attention perception skills).

Today, I’m sharing another way to use not-so -therapeutic songs therapeutically: use them in relaxation experiences.

I play most of the music used in my sessions live, but for relaxation experiences I’ll often use recorded music. This way, my hands are free to model movements.

Here are some of my favorite songs to use during relaxation experiences:

  • “A Thousand Years” from Twilight – Piano Guys version
  • “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran – Conkarah Reggae cover
  • “Meant to Be” by Bebe Rexha on violin
  • “Someday” from Disney’s Zombies ballad or reprise  – karaoke track
  • “Bird Song” by The Wailin’ Jennys (I use this in my Spring-themed sessions)
  • “America the Beautiful” (for my patriotic-themed sessions)
  • “Buchanan Mist” by Paul Machlis (for St. Paddy’s day sessions)
  • “Wintersong” by Ingrid Michaelson & Sarah Bareilles (for winter-themed sessions)

These songs are familiar to my tween and teen clients, so there is instant engagement, but they also lend themselves to stretching, breathing, and winding down at the end of a session.

Here’s how to make this super customized for YOUR unique clients:

Search for the instrumental versions of their favorite songs (like “Meant to Be” on violin) or the karaoke track of their favorite songs (like “Someday” karaoke).

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. You’ll earn 10 pre-approved CMTE credits per package.

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