It can be tough to find songs to use with our teen clients, I totally get it.

Some songs have questionable content or lyrics, and some have videos that may not be appropriate for our clients to see.

I am always on the hunt for songs that are appropriate, ones that can be used in a therapeutic manner, and ones that are uplifting.

I’m excited, because I recently found a few that match that criteria!

“Born To Fight” by Imagine Dragons and Sia 

This one would be awesome for instrument playing, followed by lyric analysis and song discussion.

Check out these lyrics –

“But I’m still not backing down,
even when my heart is weak.
Even when I’m out of breath,
I haven’t given up yet.”

“I was born to fight.
Through the fire and the pain,
through the storm through the rain,
through the voices in my brain.
If I fall a thousand times,
I will stand a thousand more
because this is who I am.”

I plan to use this in an upcoming session with a classroom of high school teens with autism. Teens can pick out lyrics that stand out and are powerful to them. They can create artwork with those lyrics that can be put up in their locker or bedroom, as a reminder of how strong they are.

Imagine Dragons are always a fan favorite with my teen clients, so I know they will be open to listening to and exploring this song.

“Love Wins” by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is another favorite with my clients. Her song “Love Wins” also has some beautiful lyrics that lend themselves well to lyric analysis, song discussion, and artwork to highlight meaningful lines.

“I hold onto hope and I won’t let go cause
I, I believe you and me are sisters and brothers,
And I, I believe we’re made to be here for each other.
We’ll never fall if we walk hand in hand.
Put a world that seems broken together again.
Yeah I, I believe in the end love wins.”

I hope this gives you a little burst of creativity and some new ideas for how you might use these songs therapeutically in your sessions.

Did this idea spark something for you?

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There are packages in each of the following categories: ideas for Teens, ideas that target Attention/Perception, and ideas for Holidays & Themes (which is the most fun, in my opinion!)

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