In this blog post, we will share a selection of Hanukkah songs in Spanish that can be incorporated into music therapy sessions.

Music therapists are board certified clinicians; however, we can get certifications or designations to specific areas of music therapy in addition to the MT-BC (music therapist-board certified) credential. Here are 10 advanced trainings that are available for music therapists!

Music is for everyone. As music therapists, we are always looking for more ways to make music experiences more inclusive. This post will share resources and links to answer all of these questions in efforts to make guitar playing accessible for anyone who wants to learn.

With Halloween just around the corner, it's the perfect time to delve into the mysterious and haunting world of Halloween-themed songs! From spine-tingling classics to contemporary hits, we have compiled a list of 20+ spooky songs for your session planning inspiration.

We’re are thrilled to offer a new free printable resource for all those who seek to add a touch of Halloween magic to their music therapy interventions. Introducing "My Spooky Halloween Playlist," a comprehensive and engaging tool designed to enhance the therapeutic experience with a ghoulish twist. This free printable is a resource for music therapists looking to create a fun and thematic music therapy session during the Halloween season.

Music has the power to transcend cultural boundaries and connect people from all walks of life. Having access to multicultural resources is important for developing cultural competency as music therapists. In this blog, we have curated a list of valuable resources for multicultural music therapy. These resources include books and articles that explore diverse musical traditions, address cultural competency in therapy sessions, and offer practical strategies for incorporating multicultural approaches into our practice.

Using games in music therapy can be a fun way to increase participation in sessions. From rapport building to decision making skills, there are so many goals that musical games can address. In the last few weeks, I’ve found that my clients have really enjoyed incorporating games, specifically dice games, in our sessions so I’ve spent some time over the last month creating new activities for them to enjoy.

Looking for a fun way to incorporate songwriting into your music therapy session? Let’s try an interactive game! This reel gives clients the opportunity to select from 9 different songwriting prompts.

Since the start of the pandemic, healthcare providers around the world have been working to keep our communities safe, sometimes at the cost of their lives and well-being. As we mark two years since the initial lockdown, I’d like to share some of my favorite affirmations.

It‘a February and themes of love are emerging! Whether we’re discussing self love or the love we have for others in our lives, the topic of Valentine‘s Day will probably be coming up naturally in our sessions over the next couple weeks. Here in South Texas, it’s common to hear about serenatas or serenades as a way to express admiration, appreciation, and love for those around us.

Playing or learning piano is a common intervention that can be used in music therapy to address a variety of non-musical goals 🎹 One of the most amazing things about music therapy is the ability to use music as a tool to improve our overall health and well-being. Our goals in music therapy are focused on physical, social, psychological, and cognitive health.  Although the goal of music therapy is not necessary to become a better musician, music therapists can incorporate piano or other instruments within sessions as means of achieving health-centered goals. 

Yes, music therapy is healthcare! ☕️ Over the years, music therapy has become increasingly recognized as a healthcare service; however, there is so much more awareness that is needed to fully distinguish music therapy from music education, music performance, and music volunteers.

Winter is officially here! ❄️ It’s time to sing songs about snow days, winter coats, and staying warm! There are so many heartwarming Oldies that were meant for this time of year. Some of the common jazz standards from this era are now recognized as popular Christmas songs such as “Winter Wonderland”, “Let it Snow”, and “Sleigh Ride”. I wanted to create a playlist of songs that were winter-themed but not typically associated with Christmas to use in music therapy sessions outside of the holiday season.

Making a playlist is a musical way to process emotions, relive memories, express ourselves, and share our feelings with others. Having a playlist for events or seasons can also be helpful for transitioning into a new time of year. Every year in December, I invite my clients who celebrate Christmas to create a themed playlist in their sessions and I encourage them to select songs that are meaningful to them or their families. This year, I decided to put a fun twist on a Christmas playlist intervention by creating a gingerbread-themed printable to use as a visual aid in my sessions.

It's Christmas time and our clients here in the RGV have started to request their favorite Christmas songs! Today, I'd like to share some popular Christmas songs in Spanish. It's common for us here in South Texas to have repertoire in both English and Spanish, especially throughout the holidays. This is a list of the songs that I get the most requests for in Spanish. If you're looking to build your Spanish rep list, these are great to get you started:

‘Tis the season for sleigh bells! 🔔“Sleigh Ride” is a fun winter song that can be used in both individual and group sessions!

If your primary instrument was in the band or orchestra, you may have played this piece a few times in holiday recitals.

One of the biggest challenges we face as music therapists is continually educating others about what we do and how much we have to offer as health care professionals. Advocacy is an important and ever-present part of our clinical work. For this reason, it's important that we find ways to connect with others and share information about music therapy whenever we have the opportunity to do so. In this blog post, I want to talk about how I created infographics for my private practice and why they've been so helpful for my community over the last few years.

Finding time for self care can be difficult in the midst of our daily routines. Whether it’s one song or a weekly class, every moment counts! Here are five ways to use music as a part of your self care routine✨

Music therapists regularly use songwriting and composition interventions in music therapy sessions as a way to promote positive and meaningful self expression. Songwriting is a great way for clients to process emotions and express how they are feeling. Here are a few prompts that can be used for songwriting and journaling for the month of December.

Adapted applications can be an inclusive way for clients to participate in music therapy improvisation. When working with clients virtually, I try to recommend apps that parents can download easily from their child’s iPad or  phone to increase access to music making and music-based resources. I also keep them on my work iPad as well to use in sessions as needed. Here are five apps that you can use in music therapy sessions if you have an iPad or iPhone. Click on the link to download the app!