The world can seem to be too much to handle at times, right? There’s a myriad of things that overwhelm us. Hardship. Loss. Grief. Vices. Behaviors. Intrusive thoughts.
“I can’t think straight”
“I feel like I’m white knuckling it.”
“Why can’t I get over this?”
And sometimes we just shut down. Maybe you’re in a spot where you don’t know how to move forward.
Throughout my clinical training, I’ve helped clients through music therapy to find inner resources to rise up and move forward. My extensive background in mental health and acute psychiatric care has prepared me to help people of all ages (10-65+), from young children through adulthood in various settings using music therapy interventions. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, loss of meaning, or even psychosis and mood disorders, I use music to help develop new behaviors, uncover insights and support recovery.
John O’Donohue said, “Music is what language would love to be if it could.” Music or songs can say what a person is feeling better than the person can currently express at times. Music can be a conduit to help people say what they want to say, but are struggling to find the words to say it. I stress that you don’t have to be a musician to do music therapy. Music is a tool to use just like talking is a tool to use in sessions. You just have to be willing to see where the music goes. Often, it can aid us to discover what may already be inside to carry us through.
I have used Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Trauma Informed Care throughout my clinical training in inpatient psychiatric care. This, paired with my existentialist orientation, can help explore new skills for unwanted behaviors as well as help us seek meaning and purpose to overcome adversity. I specifically use songwriting to help establish new ways of thinking, process events, help empower the client, and learn how to express ourselves in new ways. Other tools include instrumental improvisation, guided imagery and meditation, voicework, and music production. These can help us regulate ourselves to find the confidence we need to move forward in our lives.
Education:
- Immaculata University: Masters of Music Therapy and Counseling
- University of Valley Forge: Bachelors in Church Music
Licensure and Certification:
- Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC)