Sometimes, in therapy, there is a display of unpleasant emotions. At times this is exactly what is needed. Other times, the situation may just be too unfamiliar to navigate Meltdown can occur because there is difficulty processing environmental information. The child may not comprehend the situation, in the same manner as you or I do…. Read more »

As a Music therapist, I believe one of the most important skills one needs is to be a very good listener. And when we are done listening, we need to listen some more, at a deeper level. What do I mean by this? Let me give a couple of examples. One time, while working with… Read more »

This year’s theme for the American Music Therapy Associations Social Media Advocacy month is   This year’s theme is “We are . . . ”  centering on exploring and honoring our identity as music therapists and as a distinct and stand-alone profession, unique from other professions and professionals with which we work.  At my studio, since… Read more »

Hello once again to the readers of Back Mountain Music Therapy’s Newsletter!  I had taken some time for the holidays to spend with friends and family and then get organized to work again.  The AMTA  (American Association of Music Therapy) has begun their yearly “Social Media Advocacy Month” of which I am proud to participate… Read more »

Often this time of year, if you go to a Christmas party there is music playing in the background to enhance the mood. If you go to a concert, there are two parts: the audience and the performers. Although most everyone’s focus is the same, depending on the concert types, there are performers playing, singing,… Read more »

I do not know if many other Music Therapists share this dilemma with me, but often when I see a client or child that is referred for a particular reason and time goes by and the need becomes met, when the client continues to have needs that are not as flashing red-light obvious, I begin… Read more »

After the Thanksgiving feast with friends and family and then our annual Black Friday shop-til-you-drop marathon, Saturday was time to get back to work. I was reading some fascinating comments after the last mirror neuron blog and some suggested articles from faithful readers when my first client arrived. With mirror neurons fresh on my mind,… Read more »

This week as I worked with my client, who was a victim of a brain injury, I was struck by the intensity of her watchfulness as we sang a children’s tune together, pronouncing letter sounds. When I see this client start to fade the specific mouth movements in singing words, I employ this song. Firstly,… Read more »

In my area, Music Therapy is a service that is not well-known.  Often, people who have not previously heard of Music Therapy hear that I am a Music Therapist and ask “So, what do you do? Play music to them?” (My clients).   I think we are so accustomed to teaching methods that something other than… Read more »

Recently, my family got a dog from the SPCA. I began to think, a therapy dog might a nice compliment to my therapy business. I decided to take my new dog, Charlie, to a trainer. Upon arrival, the trainer told me he was going to teach me about how I conduct myself with the dog… Read more »