As music therapists and educators, we know the importance of using client-preferred music in our sessions, especially when working with teens. Teens have a very personal relationship with the music that speaks to them. And when we show acceptance for our clients' music, what we're communicating is that we accept them. Using client-preferred music engages [...]
I vividly remember the first time I led a music therapy session with a group of teen clients. I remember thinking it would be easy to build group cohesion among 30 adolescents that didn't know each other, and that we'd be songwriting and rapping in no time. Well, that wasn't exactly the case. It took [...]
It's finally time: the doors for the Tune In To Teens E-Course are now open (but just for a short while)! This week only, March 9 - 13th, 2020, the course is open for enrollment (so everyone can progress through the course at the same time). Following that, the doors close and I don't really [...]
Over the past few weeks, I've given you a little sneak peak into the Tune In To Teens E-Course: how the course helps you with organizing all your music therapy materials, and teaches you social skills interventions (and raps!), motor skills interventions and how to make looped hip hop beats, and how to find music [...]
One question I'm asked more than any other is this: "What music should I use with my teen clients and students?" I get it, because it stumps me sometimes, too. First, it's hard to find songs that are: a) appropriate (lyrics and content-wise), b) able to be used therapeutically, and c) considered cool by your [...]
We are movin' and groovin' right along into Week 3 of the Tune In To Teens spotlight series, where I give you a little peek into the E-Course. So far, we've spotlighted two features of Tune In To Teens - you'll learn how to organize ALL those music therapy materials and learn the Be Flexible Rap [...]
On Sundays I provide group music therapy services at Friendship Circle Miami. It's an amazing program, where neurotypical teens are paired with teens with autism and other special needs. Together, they participate in music therapy and recreational programs like sports, karate, cooking, art, and yoga. At the heart of the Friendship Circle program is the [...]
I'm a paper planner person. Through and through. I love to color code, write notes, and keep everything neat and organized on a calendar that I can spread out in front of me and see as a whole. The same goes for reading. I don't use a Kindle - I love the smell and feel [...]
I'm ashamed to admit this, but... I used to be a huge Backstreet Boys fan. I mean HUGE. One of those embarrassing fans. I knew all of the guys' birthdays, their favorite foods, and the kind of car they drove. My best friend and I spent hours making collages of their faces on our binders [...]
"Raise your hand if you're an American Idol fan!" Anyone? I said this at a recent session with a group of middle schoolers and they just stared back at me. I think I heard actual crickets. Apparently AI is't cool anymore?! Even if it's not still cool, I'm still watching. Want to know why? A [...]
