So, you decided you would like to try therapy. You began a few rudimentary google searches and quickly realized the options are at best confusing and, at worst, so overwhelming you decided to shut the computer and hold off on the whole therapy thing for another month (or year).

Emma Martin, LPMT, MM, MT-BC and Cacia King Herlihy, MM, MT-BC will be discussing what big feelings are, how music therapy can support kids with big feelings, and ways to help kiddos learn to regulate their emotions.

Music therapy can support increased self-image, mood, motivation, social connection, and healthy coping skills for people in recovery through songwriting, lyric analysis, active music making, and music-assisted relaxation.

Emma and Heather will be discussing how music therapists plan for sessions, what kinds of experiences might be included, and the importance of flexibility. Keep reading for the audio link and a full transcript.

Whether you are a therapist, teacher, caregiver, or looking for ways to support your own mental health, there are a PLETHORA of resources out there. It can be hard to navigate what is worth the cost, who is giving legitimate advice, or where to start. Therapy can be expensive, hard to access, and you won’t always have a session scheduled when things get hard. Knowing how to process and express your emotions at home, find sensory outlets, and calm down anxiety responses is a great way to take care of your wellness during your day-to-day. Keep reading for ideas and resources for people varying ages and abilities.

Many of us have near constant access to phones, tablets, and computers. They can be a source of excitement, connection, stress, and relaxation, depending on how you use them. Music and art have wonderful therapeutic properties outside of music and art therapy sessions, whether you engage through listening, creating, digitally, or physically. Here are some of our favorite free apps for music, wellness, creative expression, and relaxation for people of all ages!

Happy August! As fall comes around the corner, we are prepping to run the next session of our inclusive therapy groups here at The Sonatina Center. We currently run music and art therapy groups for children ages 2 - 14 and for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Keep reading to learn more!

In this blog post, I offer three music experiences you could try on your own to deepen and evolve your relationship with musical expression. It’s important to mention that engaging with meaningful music can be a vulnerable experience that could bring up significant emotions and memories. Having resources available to support you is a good idea whether you have a therapist, counselor, or trusted friend you can talk with, or contacts to local resources you can reach out to for support if needed.

Last month, I presented at the Rye Public Library on how to raise, affirm, and support queer and transgender youth in your communities. A full link to the presentation and discussion is available on the Rye Library’s website. This blog provides a condensed version of my presentation and a host of resources to help you along the way.

Music therapy sessions are an engaging and motivating place for clients to explore and develop themselves in collaboration with a music therapist. Rooted in shared musical experiences, music therapy provides opportunities for connection, self-exploration, self-expression, and learning. At the Sonatina Center, we approach therapy from a culturally and contextual-centered lens, which means all of our therapists place your identities, interests, lived experiences, and personal goals at the center.