In Harmony Music Therapy of Middle Tennessee

Author: carrie

  • Sing! Sing! Sing!

    Think back, when was the last time you belted out your favorite song? How did that feel for you? What is your relationship to singing songs? Car Singer? Shower Singer? Sing as you work? Sing with others? 

    What is singing as it relates to Music Therapy?  Is singing making sounds in pitch and rhythm to create a melody?  Is it an expression of a person’s current moods and feelings in the moment?  Does singing have to be a person who is pleasant to hear and enjoy?  Or, is singing just being yourself in the moment of making music? Do you have to be a “singer” to sing?   Let’s start a conversation about singing.

    As a board certified music therapist,  I believe every individual has the capacity to make music!  Perhaps, not always in use of sounding words in actual voice, but sometimes in the embodied movement to the spirit of the song when the body, “sings!”  Often, at the onset of music therapy, my own singing voice leads at first and then guides an individual or group.  Then, eventually, the client takes over finding the music within themselves in the dynamic therapeutic moment of transformation towards their own personal goals.   I work with a variety of ages each needing special care of their voice.  Research based Neurologic Music Therapy techniques are used to create individualized music therapy experiences for my clients.  Children and adults find their voice within music therapy. The goals with singing vary as it can empower people to communicate in many ways!

     Here are a few examples of clients who have engaged in neurologic music therapy: 

    • 3 Year Old with Down Syndrome in pre language stages of development is learning words through Developmental Speech and Language Training Through Music using songs from Music Together Within Therapy.
    • 20 Year Old with Autism with limited one to two word communication, but can sing whole 4-15 word lyric lines which follow natural speech patterns.  Such as “Hello, How Are You? I’m so glad to see you today!” Developmental Speech and Language Training Through Music techniques are utilized to create new neuropathways of ongoing communication.
    • 25 Year Old with Intellectual Disability who enjoys singing songs about many aspects of her live she loves.  This serves as a jumping off point for discussions of the people who support her and the activities she loves to engage in to enrich her life. Music in Psychosocial Training and Counseling  is the neurological technique used with this client who continues to work  on positive self worth and empowering her independence within her home while it is still safest to live with her guardian parents. 
    • 70 Year Old with Parkinson’s Disease who experiences softening of voice and monotone speech utilizes weekly one hour Therapeutic Singing session to help strengthen his voice to speak up and sound less monotone. 
    • 83 Year Old who experienced Aphasia including loss of expressive language after a stoke, works two sessions a week on both Musical Melodic Intonation Therapy and Therapeutic Singing to increase expressive speech, learn functional phrases, support memory, and read and understand lyrics to songs. I spoke about her journey earlier last year. 

    There is extensive research on these neurological music therapy techniques and can be found at this link. 

    Neurological music therapy is not necessarily about learning to sing well, but music is the motivator to reach a person’s non musical goals like communication and self expression to enhance quality of life. 

    What is your favorite song sing along to?   What is your loved one’s favorite music activity?   Let me know by scheduling a conversation about how Neurologic Music Therapy can assist you or your loved one’s own goals to increase the quality of their life. Click on the button below to schedule time for a chat soon. 

    Continue the Conversation

    “Where words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Andersen 

    Be well, 

    Ms. Carrie 

  • April…. Bring May….

    “April Showers Bring May Flowers”

    Lately, I have been using this phrase in my music therapy sessions to help with memory and communication.  I also have used similar phrases common in a person’s long term memory such as singing: One, Two, Three Strikes…… You’re Out! At the ….Old Ball Game!”   This Neurological technique is called Musical Speech Stimulation (MUSTIM) ® and utilizes musical materials such a as songs, rhymes, chants, and musical phrases to stimulate speech and trigger automatic  speech.  I often use this with clients who have some type of non-fluent aphasia, accompanied by difficulty with cognition. This type of aphasia can be due to a stroke, or traumatic brain injury, or related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It is a researched based technique which is a strategy for stimulating the initiation of spontaneous functional word or phrase utterances.

    Sam* has Broca’s aphasia , he has done well with another technique, Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)® where he has relearned to say common phrases through the use of paring a melody with a phrase. However, when he goes to speak in conversation, he still has trouble getting the correct words out. This is frustrating to him and hopes he can continue to make progress in his recovery from his stroke six months ago. The Music Therapist has begun incorporating MUSTIM into his music therapy sessions. With this technique, he has shown progress when the Music Therapist starts the phrase through a simple melody, “My name is…. and I live in….” Thus, Sam immediately responds, “Sam” and the name of the city where he lives. When Sam has a conversation with a family member, they have also been coached to “cue” him by starting the sentence for him. Through engaging in neurologic music therapy, Sam, is making progress towards his individual goals for stroke recovery.

    MUSTIM and MIT are only two of the many researched based techniques used for various populations and conditions people young and old may engage in recovery, growth, development, rehabilitation, and improve quality of life. As you are reading this blog post, do you have someone in mind who would benefit from neurologic music therapy? Schedule a free consultation, email at carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com, or call me directly at 615-390-3207. I’d love to answer any questions you may have regarding neurologic music therapy for your loved one!

    Be Well,

    Ms. Carrie

    Licensed Provider for Music Together within Therapy Programming

    *Name and some details changed for privacy

    Reference: Handbook of Neurologic Music Therapy, edited by Thaut & Hoemberg, Oxford University Press, 2014.

  • Pivoting

    Pivoting

    Pivoting in it’s classic definition is to “turn or rotate”.  The basic human ability to turn or rotate is still an acquired skill whether using the body  to turn, or learning to with the assistance of an aid, like a wheelchair or walker.  One of the developmental milestones new parents look for in their infants is when they can move from laying on their back to their belly.  When my youngest did it around 3 months old, he surprised himself and started crying!  However, once he settled and I turned him back over, he did it again!…and again…and again…because this is what babies do, once they learn a skill, it must be practiced over and over to make that mind-body connection in the brain. 

    Music is naturally a great facilitator of movement.  Basically all you need is a good steady beat and it motivates the body to move entrained to the beat.  Dancing is a prime example of moving in rhythm to the beat of music, either from free style to formal patterned steps. 

    In my work with young children, movement and pivoting is a basic awareness technique. Moving not only in synchronicity with the beat but also being able to turn and change direction.  If I turn and change direction when the music changes, for a child, this is noticing two things at once, visually following what I am doing and internalizing the change through their hearing sense.  I work with this technique with other ages and diagnosis as well. I had a client with Autism who needed to feel his sense of body in space for stop and go and to turn and pivot on the musical cue. Music facilitated this by naturally stopping for a pause and then playing on and with a direct musical trill and a certain note sequence that alerted my student to turn in time with the music. This was not achieved on the first or even second attempt, but over the course of weeks and months. The overreaching goal was for him to feel more grounded in his body, so outside of music therapy, he could leave feeling more grounded and better able to go about his days, to stand, walk and even sit in a chair for a length of time.

    People diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease can have trouble physically pivoting. Their walking gate freezes and internally they cannot move until an outside stimulus is placed in front of them like a stick or a foot to step over. Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) in Gait Rehabilitation for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease, has been researched and shown to improve walking in those with Parkinson’s Disease. The rhythm and beat of music helps to entrain the body to take longer more natural strides over time with practice. Perhaps you have seen a video online for this technique in action. For extensive bibliography of this research and other neurological techniques, check out this link from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy: https://nmtacademy.co/supporting-research-by-technique/

    The ability to pivot is also used as a metaphor in mental health awareness. The more mentally flexible we become when handling adversity and trauma, the more we allow health and wellness to guide our lives. This comes with entering into a therapy modality which helps us become aware of the inflexible and become open to the possibility of new ideas to help ease our minds out of dis-ease. Two ways music therapy can help is through analyzing songs lyrics or creating new songs which speak directly to the desire to process and change one’s mental awareness. The creative process helps break through mental challenges or bring a sense of order to otherwise chaotic and overwhelming thoughts.

    Personally, as a music therapist, I am always practicing the art of “pivoting” in my work with clients, if one type of music or technique is not working, I’m versed to find another way to work with a client. I am not without troubles in my own life and work, and also seek supervision and therapy when I am unsure how to pivot through adverse situations.

    I also pivot with my work as a whole. As I still continue to offer my therapy practice to kids and youth, though I have found myself working more and more with adults. Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Older Adults with diagnosis, such as Dementia, Stroke and Parkinson’s Disease. My music therapy education and continuing education has helped me pivot when the case load shifts and changes. If you are an adult or have a loved one who fits these criteria of care for music therapy, please feel free to reach out to me to discuss further how music therapy can help. If you are a parent of a child with a developmental or physical diagnosis who needs a therapy which engages and encourages growth, development, and movement, also feel free to reach out to me to find out how music therapy fulfills this criteria. The “music” in Music Therapy is the driver of dynamic change within a person.

    How does pivoting play out in your life? Do you need to physically work on turning or rotating around? Perhaps, thinking about the flexibility of pivoting in life and towards good mental health is where you are at? Reach out to me at carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com to let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

    Be well,

    Ms. Carrie

    Schedule Appointment

    Licensed Provider for Music Together within Therapy Programming

  • Music and the Brain: Stroke Rehab with Neurologic Music Therapy

    photos from depositphotos.com

    In March of this year, I received a referral to assess an 83 year old woman who had had a stroke which effected the speech areas in her brain causing global aphasia. Global aphasia is characterized by a severe impairment across all language modalities. Individuals have very poor comprehension, may be nonverbal, or produce verbal stereotypies (non-communicative repetition of syllables or words such as ‘to-ko to-ko’).

    Upon assessment, Mae (name changed for privacy), had full use of her arms and legs, but showed impaired understanding of following one to two step directions, forming correct words, and reading phrases correctly, but could sing most of a simple common folk song, Oh When the Saints Come Marching In. During the initial assessment session, Mae’s daughter, listening within ear shot of the session, said that was the most language she had heard from her mom since the stroke. Mae’s assessment showed she would be a good candidate for Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) and subsequent Musical Speech Stimulation (MUSTIM). Both therapies take a functional phrase, such as, “How Are You Doing?’ and put it to a simple melodic phrase, hum it, sing it, have the client sing it, and then repeated the process to where you can gradually fade it to natural speech. Mae has done quite well with her MIT and MUSTIM to where I often come into our session and naturally say, “How are you dong, today?” and she can say, “I’m Fine” or “I’m terrific!” Collaborating also with her Speech and Language Therapist, the therapist reports that Mae has scored higher on repetition of phrases which a person with global aphasia sometimes cannot do without mixing up speech in the process. After almost 12 weeks of therapy, Mae can say a list of 20 phrases in repetition, and with little musical cuing!

    Lately, I have been working on Mae’s cognition and response by asking, “What do you say when you greet someone?” Answer: “How are you doing?” We have also moved on to working on more expressive speech using Therapeutic Singing (TS) techniques. Mae looks at a picture and is asked, “Tell me about what you see in the picture.” This are familiar pictures attached to familiar songs, like all the things mentioned in the song, My Favorite Things, from The Sound of Music (Roses, Kittens, Dogs, etc…) Although, Mae is still working on strengthening her expressive language, singing and making music has been a key to help make new neural connections and rehabilitate her working memory and cognition. She is making progress towards her goals!

    Music Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation can also work on other physical effects caused by stroke. Recently, I took a specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy and now hold the distinction of “Neurologic Music Therapist” (NMT). This training is the result of over 25+ years of research into the science of music and the brain. This training allows me to utilize many research based neurologic music techniques to help specialize my music therapy more fully to specific neurological impairments caused by stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, traumatic brain injuries, dementia, and intellectual and developmental delays and disabilities associated with ASD, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. This list is not exhaustive of how neurologic music therapy can help with rehabilitation.

    Check out these short videos on YouTube to see Neurologic Music Therapy in action from some of my colleagues in the field.

    Melodic Intonation Therapy with Therapeutic Singing: Much like Mae and I do together. Her progress has been similar:

    Neurologic Music Therapy with Patient with Left Neglect: This patient had a stroke which effected her ability to see and notice things to the left her visual field, even though her eye sight was fine.

    Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation for Walking: This video shows how the beat of music can help entrain the brain to the beat of music to help with walking stride issues due to the effects of stroke.

    As you read this, if you have someone in mind who could use this information, or would like a consultation regarding Neurologic Music Therapy for Stroke Rehab, feel free to reach out to me at carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com or call 615-390-3207 or sign up for a free 30 minute consultation.

    Schedule a Consultation

    I also love referrals for all ages and stages of life!

    Be well and join the harmony!

    -Ms. Carrie

    Carrie Friddell, MT-BC, NMT

  • Music and the Brain

    The Science of Music and the Mind

    Recently, I posted an Instagram post with the graphic shown below, provided by Music Together, LLC.  I work with all ages and stages of folks using music to help support their journey to their own personal wellness and agency. From early childhood into adulthood recent studies have shown the many benefits of music on both cognition and physical health.  

    My experience as a Board Certified Music Therapist and a Music Together Center Director has included children with ASD, persons with IDD, older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Stroke, and Dementia.  I have seen first hand those moments when music therapy provides a catharsis and a new awareness of learning and better quality of life.  

    Want to know more about how music supports brain function? Check out the resources below on recent studies and topics on music and the brain.

    Music and the Whole Person

    In our research-based Music Together® classes, the benefits of learning music for children include learning how to sing in tune and how to keep a beat. Another important benefit of learning music is that it can allow your child’s creativity and self-expression to blossom and increase your child’s confidence. 

    Learning music also supports your child’s overall development—something we call Music Learning Supports All Learning®. Active music-making creates unique connections in the brain that support your child’s language, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, too.  To sign up for a Music Together Summer class through In Harmony Music go to >>https://www.inharmonymusicmidtn.com/group-music-therapy-services/ 

    Or Sign Up for a FREE Consolation Session to find out more how Music Therapy can benefit you and/or your loved one

    Schedule Appointment

    Learn More about Music and Neurologic Research

    About the Research behind Music Together: https://www.musictogether.com/about/research

    Music Together / Music Supports All Learning: https://www.musictogether.com/parents/benefits-for-every-age

    Lullabies in any Language Relax Babies: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201019112115.htm

    From Lullabies to Live Concerts:  How Music and Rhythm Shape Our Social Brains: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180327102835.htm

    Music and Autism Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6199253/

    Quick Overview of What is Music Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum: https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/music-therapy

    The American Association for Music Therapy FACT SHEETS of Music Therapy with a variety of populations and diagnoses:  https://www.musictherapy.org/research/factsheets/

    Music Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease:  https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/JF18p18.shtml

    Singing Therapy may prevent communication impairment in Parkinson’s patients: https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/05/17/singing-therapy-may-prevent-communication-impairment-parkinsons-patients/

    Music Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease a Systematic Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8582661/

    Music and Dementia: https://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/news/story1.shtml

    How Music Therapy Could Help People with Dementia https://www.npr.org/2019/12/22/790553867/how-music-therapy-could-help-people-with-dementia

    MRI Shows Differences in Musicians’ Brains

    MRI Shows Differences in Musicians’ Brains

    Music and Dementia with MRI Video: https://best-alzheimers-products.com/music-and-the-brain.html

    Music Therapy in Stroke Patients Improves Brain and Motor Function: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/music-therapy-for-stroke-patients-improves-brain-and-motor-function/

    Music in Stroke Recovery: https://www.neurologylive.com/view/music-stroke-recovery

    Questions? Feel free to reach out carrie@inharmonymusicmidtn.com

    All the best,

    Carrie Friddell, MT-BC

    aka. Ms. Carrie

    Licensed Provider for Music Together within Therapy Programming

  • Sing, dance, jump, and twirl with Music Together this Summer!

    Join us for a summer of musical play!

    Summer can be an especially happy time for families. The sun is out, the pool is open, friends stop by, work slows down. Children play outside, examining stones, water, insects, and mud. They can become engrossed in their own activity for extended periods, leaving adults with a little bit more freedom.

    With this relaxed pace, through, it’s still important to continue or begin other activities that you may enjoy together. Routines are important for child development — getting up and out of the house by a certain time, seeing friends in the park, going to daycare, making music with your chid, going for ice cream or the zoo one morning. Children thrive on this kind of routine and often look forward to family outings. The fun that your child experiences and the interest and support they senses from you are important. A routine morning or afternoon of music class can be the same.

    It can also be important for your child’s musical learning that you engage in a weekly class. Each child has his or her blueprint for learning and may have significant musical ”break throughs” at any time. Watch for surprising musical moments in class and at home!

    If you haven’t attended Music Together classes before, summer is a great time to try them. Please consider attending this shorter six-week session. You and your young child will be meeting and making music with other families and making new opportunities for new friends!

    So I hope you’ll “Join the Harmony” this summer for some musical fun. Join Ms. Carrie for the Banjo! Collection of songs! When you sign up for summer classes, you will receive a beautiful Illustrated story – song book, CD of songs, and online resources to support your child musically!

    Click this link to book your class and to earn more about Music Together Summer Classes!

    All the best,

    Ms. Carrie

    Carrie Friddell, MT-BC

  • Laughter + Music = The BEST Medicine

    Feel Good Any Day of the Week!

    We have heard both phrases:  “Laugher is the best Medicine” and “Music is Medicine” so, why not combine the two?  Grab your loved one to watch, laugh, and sing to this fun folk song!  How do you feel afterwards?  What music lifts your spirits and brings joy into your life?  

    Active music making combined with playfulness and laugher can boost mood, lift spirits, engage focus, and create social interaction. 

    In Harmony Music Therapy engages in: 

    • support of young children with developmental delays and their parents to help work on non musical skills, such as sharing joint attention and communicating ideas through songs and active music making activities tailored to individual needs.
    • support of children and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities learn coping strategies to reduce negative behaviors and engage in active music making to help build knowledge of positive self worth.
    • support of adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease to help strengthen, preserve and slow the progression of loss of voice volume, teach supported breathing, and to help lift feelings of apathy and depression.
    • support of adults diagnosed with dementia to help with memory recall which contributes to reminiscence and satisfaction with life. Music can cause positive changes in mood and emotional states associated with memory loss.


    In Harmony Music Therapy of Middle Tennessee engages children and adults through active music making to enhance and strengthen their positive self worth.  Music is used to facilitate personal growth through an enjoyable therapeutic outlet.  Sign up for music therapy today! 

    Schedule Appointment

     

  • Superpowers!

    Tom* began individual music therapy teletherapy sessions this past December because he has had Parkinson’s Disease (PD) for 10 years and now his spouse says she can’t hear him speak and continually asks him to, “Speak Up!” I also knew Tom before the pandemic lockdown of 2020 as he attended an in person music therapy group for people with PD. After attending the in person singing sessions Tom realized the strong effect singing at least once a week, and going through specific research based vocal warm-ups, helped preserve and often allowed him to speak louder when in conversation with others. After a break in sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he reached out to me to begin twice weekly teletherapy sessions to begin to increase his vocal volume once again. He often self reports, “This is really helping! My spouse doesn’t complain as often about my soft speaking voice. I also love singing the songs we sing together! I’ve even sung with my grandchildren!” (*Tom’s name and case details have been changed slightly for privacy)

    On other occasions over the past few months, parents have reported that they could see their children physically relax when the music therapy session began over teletherapy. The pandemic has brought on a larger sense of anxiety in children and adults and these days, much of the goals of music therapy is to provide a sense of safety, familiarity, and support.

    Music can bring out our superpowers

    Music can bring out our “superpowers”. There is a relationship one has with the music that helps meet an individual goal, such as to increase feelings of wellbeing, to relax, to speak up, and increase confidence.  Perhaps someone mentioned the practice of music therapy to you, or you saw a post on social media spotlighting the benefits of music therapy.  Music Therapy has increasingly gained more attention in the 15 years I have been in practice.  Alternative health care practices as a whole has increased as a way to often complement and enhance traditional health care practices.  Music therapy does not replaces doctor’s visits, other important prescriptive therapies, but it can complement other other therapies as well as stand on it’s own as an effective therapeutic intervention. 


    Once, I was talking to someone I met at the park while with my kids and I told her I was a music therapist.  She wanted to know more about music therapy which sparked a conversation with her.  This kind of conversation is not uncommon for me.  At this particular instance, one of my kids remarked, “Mommy, you can talk about your job any where!”  Yes, I can.  Yes. I can. 


    The common definition for Music Therapy is that it is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.  Music therapy is often individualized to individual needs and musical preferences. 


    A good website to find out more and gain much of the same information is the website for the American Music Therapy Associaiton www.musictherapy.org there is a great slide show on the home page that gives a great overview of music therapy.  I encourage you to check it out. 


    What does music therapy look like at In Harmony Music Therapy of Middle Tennessee? I serve a variety of ages with a variety of needs through music therapy services.  Here is the break down of my current work:

    • Music Therapy Services including Music Together within Therapy
    • Music Together Within Therapy Family Services
    • Music Therapy for children and youth
    • Music Therapy for Adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
    • Music Therapy for Older Adult
    • Music Therapy for Older Adults


    Ages 0-6: Music Together within Therapy curriculum includes a songbook and a CD of songs that are used within a developmental model of growth.  Music Therapy techniques help address global developmental delays, including social, communication, movement, social-emotional, health challenges, as well as developmental and intellectual disabilities.    This family centered music therapy helps foster bonding and communication between parent and child in an enjoyable and engaging activity. Diagnosis includes but not limited to developmental delays, premature birth, cancer, challenging behaviors, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Rhett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome


    Ages 7-21 Both individual and seasonal group sessions are offered for kids and youth with continued delays, diagnosis, and physical and/or cognitive impairment can continue to benefit from social interaction, social-emotional well being, and learning communication skills.  Music pared with movement engages kids and youth with varied abilities. This includes both verbal and nonverbal communicators which can increase confidence in a growth mindset of personal agency.  Therapy helps build skills and self-confidence in a fun interactive music making setting.  It can also work on relaxation and coping strategies to calm and regulate the nervous system and help increase focus. Diagnosis includes but not limited to developmental delays, cancer or other health challenges, trauma, challenging behavior, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Rhett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome


    Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  Currently, individual music therapy is offered for adults with cognitive impairments but wish to engage in active music making and setting goals for themselves such as to improve self-confidence, learn a leisure skill, and process more complex feelings and emotions as adults.  Through music therapy services, they can learn to sing songs, play piano, or use rhythm instruments for musical and self expression.

     
    Adults with Parkinson’s Disease.  Music and active music making through singing and rhythmic movement is utilized to help strengthen, preserve and slow the progression of loss of voice volume, teach supported breathing, encourage physical movement and to help lift feelings of apathy and depression. I offer both individual and group sessions.


    Memory Care for Dementia diagnosis. Music therapy can help support adults diagnosed with dementia to enhance memory recall which contributes to reminiscence and satisfaction with life. Music making, especially to a person’s preferred musical preferences of favorite songs can cause positive changes in mood and emotional states associated with memory loss. I also offer both individual and group sessions.

    Do you know someone who might benefit from one of these music therapy services offered through In Harmony Music Therapy of Middle Tennessee? I LOVE and appreciate word of mouth referrals! I encourage you to tell your friend and/or loved one about music therapy today. Please do me a favor and share this post with someone you love. I offer a free 30 minute consultation either over Zoom, over the phone, or scheduled in person. Click the button below to find out more and get started.

    Schedule Appointment

    All the best, Ms. Carrie

  • Music Therapy with “Original Sound”


    By now, I am sure we have all become professionals navigating Zoom or Google Meet or any other video platform to connect with work, school, family, and friends.  It’s been almost a year since we were all sent home and learned about social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  I know personally, it’s taken me this time to find my footing in living month to month and wondering when I can be back in person with my groups and individual clients making music together again. 
    However, during this time, I have been able to create fun and interactive sessions with  groups and individuals over the Zoom teleconferencing platform.  Today, I want to share with you what I have learned about holding sessions online. 

    1. Teletherapy sessions can also bring personal relationship between therapist and client even when we are not in the same room together.  I do miss the physical presence of being in the same room as my clients, but holding regular teletherapy appointments has given me an appreciation of seeing my clients on screen each week. We continue to connect with one another through the back and forth playing of music.  I also allow time for them to talk about their day, their week, or other experiences they may have had since we were last on Zoom together.  I look forward to these conversations as well as making music together the best we can.
    2. I am able to also focus on faces and body language during sessions to measure participation.  As long as a person has their camera angled onto their face and upper torso, I can read participation just as well as if I were in person. 
    3. Subsequently, I can angle my camera where I can sit or stand to show choreographed movements or physical exercises, I  can go over and play my piano and still be heard, or I can sit closer to the camera to help a client see how my mouth is moving while singing. 
    4. Slide show presentations are my friend.  In slideshows I can include lyrics, pictures, visual games, interactive songwriting activities, videos, and music as I go through a session.  This has been a  creative way to present songs and help folks follow along. 
    5. The Zoom platform has created sound opportunity for musicians to sing and play their instruments!  There is a setting in Zoom called “Turn on Original Sound” that you and I can click on in our Zoom  settings to increase the volume of sustained singing and playing.  I’ve included a video below for a “how to tutorial” on how to engage in music therapy over Zoom and I’ve included this key point in it! 

    Give this video a watch on how to engage in Music Therapy with me through Zoom and how to make your experience the best it can be! 

    If you are looking for more music therapy experiences for a family member or yourself, Music Therapy services are available by appointment for private music therapy.  My specialties are as listed:

    Be sure to share this post and sign up for the bi-monthly newsletter to find out more about music therapy and In Harmony Music Therapy Services!

    All the best,

    Ms. Carrie

  • Go Play!

    Play is an important concept not only for childhood but also into adulthood.  Play is both a noun and a verb. It is both an act of being and doing.  There is non-scripted play and there is formalized play such as playing an instrument, a sport, or a game.   In young kids engaging or not engaging in play is how we mark development and find if there are any delays.  In adults, it is thought we “loose” our need to play, but I beg to differ.  Participating in the act of play every day is healthy.  

    From the youngest to the oldest individuals I see in my music therapy practice, the act of making music calls upon the person to respond to their own inner creativity.  I allow time and space within the music for individuals to “play”.  

    Singing a song while trading a maraca back and forth with a three year old, saying “My Turn”  is cooperative play.  While the three year old has the maraca, he or she is able to shake it as fast or slow as they would choose to play it during their turn.  This increases cognitive personal choice making skills in the earliest stages of development.  

    Music Therapy Services including Music Together within Therapy

    When working with a teenager with Autism, it may be a goal to for them to break out of comfortable mindset patterns of playing or reproducing composed music and begin to create their own melodies on a piano through improvisation.  This can create new pathways to learning, increase self confidence, and allow them to have agency over personal decision making.  

    Adults often need to be reminded that music making doesn’t have to be formal and “just right”, but I teach that it can be silly and playful with creating fun warm-up sounds to strengthen their voices, moving and dancing to the rhythm of music to encourage movement, and making up humorous lyrics to help lift feelings of depression and increase positive thinking.    


    Making Music can bring us positive feelings

    Often, I find as grown ups, we forget to engage in our ability to be silly and fun, especially when there seems to be so much bad news and many concerns in our lives.   Our outlook on difficult situations and news can be addressed by how we respond to the stressors in our lives.  Engaging in the act of play through sport, games, and artistic endeavors, like music, helps us express our thoughts and feelings in constructive ways. Play also helps us to move our bodies as in structured exercise, walking, or dancing which helps to relax us afterwards.  When participating in a communal play through activities like singing, playing instruments, playing games, or participating in sports, play helps us make important bonds and connections with family and friends.  
    Here are some ideas to “play” more: 

    1. Write down for yourself or collaborate with family 10 things you’d like to do together. 
    2. Pick one and plan to do it within the next three days.  
    3. Plan one for next week. 
    4. If it’s a “bucket list” of vacations and trips, then plan one when it is safe to do so, or begin gathering information about places to visit. 
    5. Go with the mindset of of having fun and playfulness.  I say this because often grown ups get bogged down with details of timing, traffic, fussy kids, and interruptions – don’t let this stop you from enjoying the moment.  
    6. Take pictures not for social media’s sake, but to go back and remind yourself that you had some fun and play to your day, week, and month.  

    Subsequently, we should all take some time to laugh each day.  I often have to remember to laugh, yes, I do!  And when I do, it feels good! 

    And if your are curious how to increase a sense of playfulness through music therapy, feel free to send me questions or sign up for a FREE 30 minute consultation to see if music therapy is a good fit.

    Schedule Appointment

    If you are looking for more music therapy experiences for a family member or yourself, Music Therapy services are available by appointment for private music therapy.  My specialties are as listed:

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    All the best,

    Ms. Carrie