As with any new intervention, we always start with why- what is the goal, what is the purpose of any instrument in a session? If you’re goal is choice making, musical engagement, gross motor movement, increasing alertness, motivation or turn-taking- novelty instruments can increase attention and interest from clients, allow them autonomy in making choices, increasing engagement by switching things up in sessions AND as a bonus, make it fun for you as the therapist to get creative with different ways to play and use instruments.

Elizabeth sits down with Corri Flaker Fraser, who is a healer and bodyworker who works with her clients to feel comfortable in their bodies. Her main modalities include massage and craniosacral therapy.

Ellisa sits down with Ciele Knox and Ryan Johnson, two medical music therapists, to talk about music therapy in hospitals. They touch on music therapy in the NICU, general hospital and rehabilitation center at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare in Tallahassee, FL. As a reminder, you can watch this conversation on our Youtube page, here.

Maggie sits down with Patina and asks her about her personal journey to entrepreneurship in music therapy and more specifically about her successful online music therapy resource company called, “Music Therapy Joy”.

Maggie sits down with Dr. Hiller to dive into understanding music-centered music therapy and how it is used in addiction and substance use therapy.

"Your heart continues to beat, even when it's breaking... Your heart continues to beat even when you feel joy. Your heart is strong and your heart can hold it all. "

“Home is where the heart is” - Ellisa sits down with music therapist Music Therapist, Brian Schreck, Behavioral Oncology, MA, MT-BC as he discusses his work with heartbeat music therapy and establishing a new music therapy modality, Amplified Cardiopulmonary Recordings (ACPR). His work with pediatric and adult end of life music therapy is not only deeply impactful, it is propelling the field of music therapy forward.

Elizabeth sits down with Stephanie Lopes to discuss her work as a recreational therapist, Social Worker, and her recent work with biofeedback in an acute psychiatric unit. We will speak specifically about the heartmath approach to biofeedback, which measure heart rate variability.

“I’m so passionate about how to take the daily mundane and see the beauty in that, AND acknowledge the hard in that. You know, I think it’s BOTH, AND. You have to have both the rainstorm, and the sun, to get the rainbows!”

Elizabeth sits down with music therapist and piano aficionado Harry Beckett to help listeners identify practical ways to improve their improvisation and jazz piano skills.

Learn about the science behind essential oils, how to use them for your wellness and considerations for use in your clinical practice.

“Meaningful music experiences"- Join us for a conversation with Rachelle Morgan, MA, MT-BC about music therapy and eldercare, business, and clinical inspiration for working with older adults.

Elizabeth walks us through the eighth sense of interoception and discusses how it may impact a few different populations in music therapy.

We're celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month by learning about the history of a famous Jazz Standard as well as sharing some inspiration on how to use it in music therapy.

This is a beautiful story about a wave, crashing against a cliff. Focus on my voice, the movement of the wave and the details within the story. Can you feel the salty air? Take a deep breath..and listen to “The Wave”, by Liam O’Flaherty.

Ellisa and Maggie talk about their top tips and tricks for using guitar in their music therapy sessions. They share ideas on adapting the instrument for both themselves and their clients to create success and music when accomplishing both musical and non-music goals.

My attention is not divided. I’m not multitasking. I’m not half-way listening. I’m REALLY listening so deeply so I can hear you.

In this episode we will dig into how we can use music in the classroom. As it is Music in Schools Month we are rounding out this month looking at specific strategies for using music in the classroom. Not an educator? No problem, the strategies can be used in a therapeutic setting and in the home, too.

Join us butterflies, as we float along with this colorful, calming guided imagery.

The Rock on Project is back for its 3rd year! Grab some chalk and spread the music with us. Share your art with #rockonproject and tag us @givingsongllc.