BLOGS
Educational blogs for parents and professionals
Truths and Myths About Eating Disorders
There are a lot of myths surrounding eating disorders, below you’ll find the most common myths and truths.
Eating Disorders only affect young, thin, wealthy white girls: MYTH. Eating Disorders affect all genders, ages, ethnicities, body sizes, and socioeconomic statuses. Oftentimes because these people don’t fit the stereotype, they don’t fit the criteria for insurance companies and they do not get treated when in need.
Commenting on someone’s weight-loss / gain is helpful towards their recovery: MYTH. Appearance DOES NOT diagnose an eating disorder. It is important to avoid commentary on body image to prevent accidentally triggering someone.
An Eating Disorder is a mental illness: TRUTH. Yes this is true! Eating disorders are brain disorders that can be triggered by / rooted in many factors: biological, social, psychological, and environmental.
Recovery is possible: TRUTH. With finding the proper treatment, whether one finds a good therapist, an educated dietician, or a treatment center that is affordable and fits their needs, recovery can happen. It is important to continue raising awareness however so as a society there can be less stigma and more support.
Music can be very helpful in aiding anxiety and connection. Learning about other musical artists who write songs about their struggles with eating disorders can help people struggling feel that they are not alone and be something that they can listen to when they are fighting this tough battle. Studies are starting to appear on the effectiveness of music therapy in aiding people with eating disorders, but there aren’t a lot yet. Here is one that could be helpful to look at: Music Therapy Interventions for Eating Disorders Study.
Musical Artists Who Have Written About their Struggles:
Demi Lovato: Skyscraper, I Love Me
Maria Mena: Just a Little Bit
James Vincent McMorrow: I Lie Awake Every Night
Taylor Swift: Tied Together with a Smile
Silverclair’s lead singer, Daniel Jones: Ana's Song
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, feel free to reach out to us for a free consultation about how music therapy can help.
Author: Francesca Crowley, MT
A Little About Francesca:
Francesca is a music therapist in recovery who works at Mewsic Moves under the incredible John Mews, LMFT, NMT. She began her passion of understanding eating disorders and uncovering how to help others with similar issues along with their loved ones and doctors gain information. Francesca is diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and when she was just nineteen, her Doctor told her she needed to lose weight in order to control her blood pressure. Although the doctor had good intentions, these few comments kickstarted a downward spiral for Francesca until she had a full-blown eating disorder. Learning how to use the right language to aid in someone’s well-being as well as taking the shame and guilt out of eating, but also out of body image is very important to Francesca and she hopes that this article will help others become more informed!
Eating Disorder Support in a World of Stigma
An eating disorder IS a mental illness! Here are some resources that can support you, your family or your clients…
For those who are not familiar with eating disorders, you can find more information here: Eating Disorders Explained
About one-fifth of American medical students are required to take a nutrition course and most medical schools in the United States teach less than 25 hours of nutrition over four years, According to the Harvard School of Public Health, . Marcella Raimondo, PhD, MPH, discusses in one article how Eating Disorder Training is being left out of Medical Schools: Read here. Studies show that medical students receive less than two hours of training on eating disorders. Do you feel this is adequate training for such a complex disorder? Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses (Marcella ED Training)
Many individuals suffering from an eating disorder have stated that the lack of knowledge their doctor had negatively affected their recovery process. How can doctors have more sensitivity? How can families and loved ones become more educated? How can we support the eating disorder community?
What is Health at Every Size (HAES)?
“Health at every size (HAES) is a lifestyle that encourages healthy eating and enjoyable physical activity as a way to feel better and live longer. Unlike other programs, it does not believe weight loss through dieting is the way to become healthy.” (National Geographic). Find out more information here: Health at Every Size
What is Intuitive Eating?
“Intuitive Eating is a self-care eating framework, which integrates instinct, emotion, and rational thought and was created by two dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in 1995. Intuitive Eating is a weight-inclusive, evidence-based model with a validated assessment scale and over 100 studies to date.” (intuitive eating.org)
It is important to be educated on intuitive eating because it not only teaches one how to listen to their body, but also teaches one how to move on from when you may get too hungry or eat beyond fullness without shame or guilt. The wonderful book by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch can be purchased here: Intuitive Eating
The Ten Principles of Intuitive Eating - Find out More Here
Reject the diet mentality
Honor your hunger
Make peace with food
Challenge the food police
Discover the satisfaction factor
Feel your fullness
Cope with your emotions with kindness
Respect your body
Movement - feel the difference
Honor your health - gentle nutrition
Important Resources for your knowledge:
Lindo Bacon - a major contributor to the HAES movement: Resources
Evelyn Tribole - writer of Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works: Resources
Marcella Raimondo - Advocate for there being more knowledge of nutrition in the medical system: Resources
National Eating Disorders Association - Resources
Project Heal - Resources
Youtube Resources:
Affirmations are important because they help aid us in the self-confidence and strength we may need to conquer our fears or insecurities. I remember when I was in treatment, I was with six other girls and each morning, we would pick one of each other’s names out of a hat and by the evening we would give each other affirmation. These would consist of what we found most special about that person. I accumulated all of those affirmation over the two months I was there and I saved them so when I am feeling particularly down, I will read them and remember what these girls who got to know me from spending twenty-four hours a day with me saw in me that i may not have seen in myself.
Five Supportive Affirmations: (Find more here or think of your own and write them down!)
I am more than your eating disorder.
I am not perfect and that is okay.
My worth is not defined by a scale.
I am worthy of love.
I AM enough.
Music therapy is successful at helping those dealing with eating disorders. Schedule your free 15 minute consultation to learn more about how it can help you or your loved one.
Author: Francesca Crowley, MT
Happy Holidays? 5 Ways to Maintain Optimum Mental Wellness During The Holidays
Happy Holidays!? Or is it? December has arrived, “Tis the season to be jolly?”. This is a time of the year we will be bombarded with messages of “joy, spirit, and much more, but it is also a time of the season when many people experience the complete opposite such as loneliness, depression, anxiety and more…
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of people reported being affected by holiday depression. loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression to name a few, are a reality for many during this holiday season. If you or any of your loved ones are experiencing these emotions, you are not alone. Here are 5 ideas we would like to share with you to help you survive and make the best of the upcoming holidays.
1. Music can be a distraction, why not learn how to play an instrument?
According to a study by Spotify, after playing a musical instrument, 89% of adults experienced increased feelings of happiness and relaxation. A third of participants noted that playing an instrument gave them a sense of purpose, confidence, and self-worth. If you are interested in learning an instrument, having a teacher will also provide an opportunity to make social and musical connections with another person who is there to support you! In this day and age, it is also common to learn an instrument through Youtube or other programs, (my nephew learned how to play guitar throughout the pandemic on YouTube).
Here are 4 recommendations if you would like to learn how to play a new instrument:
Try Take Lessons: Take lessons offers free live group lessons as well as 1:1 lessons that start at $1 an hour!
Try MasterClass: This program offers courses that are led by well-known instructors and even celebrities from all spectrums of the musical world.
Try Skillshare: Skillshare has over 27,000 classes available (including 2,000 free ones), it is a huge resource for online education almost anything, but is very ideal for learning about music or a musical instrument!
Try Udemy: Udemy is an enormous platform with a wide variety of subjects to learn about. If there’s an instrument you’re eager to play, even a less common one, it’s most likely here! Each course is designed and presented by an industry professional. Lessons start from $11.99.
2. Volunteering for a service program
In the documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me , Dr. Vivek Murphy discusses the concept of loneliness and how to take steps to support loneliness. He notes that what truly matters is the quality of connections we have with one another. In situations where we feel like we cannot be ourselves, it tends to disconnect us and distance ourselves from others which can lead to feelings of loneliness and/or isolation. In his research, Dr. Murphy emphasized how important it is to be of service to others. Service is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness and/or depression. Dr. Vivek Murphy concludes, “We reaffirm to ourselves that we have value to bring to the world”.
5 volunteer organizations we suggest:
Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels is an organization that works to better the mental, emotional, health, and economic well-being of Americans in need, especially seniors. They constantly work towards their vision of ensuring that every American senior can enjoy a nourished life with freedom and dignity. Their mission is to make efforts to stop anyone going hungry or feeling lonely.
Insight Heart Foundation: Insight Heart Foundation is an organization providing essentials to vulnerable adults and children within low-income communities in Canada. They work to provide clothes to people who are homeless, school supplies for children, provide transportation for seniors, and much more.
ClimateScience: Climate Science is a UK-based organization driven by volunteers from all around the world! It is a place for people to learn about realistic solutions to climate change and resources to work together and contribute to our environment effectively!
Resource of 25 NGOs in Asia: Interested in contributing to communities in Asia? This website has a fantastic list of non-profit organizations to volunteer or donate to that include a variety of countries and needs
Peace Corps: A U.S. government program that provides volunteer opportunities to over 60 countries all over the world in continents such as Africa, Europe and Asia!! It does not charge people to volunteer, and provides meaningful work to support developing communities.
3. Tap Into Your Creativity
Being alone can be an opportunity for us to tap into our creativity! According to Shrein Bahrami, therapist and author of The Loneliness Companion, “being alone allows more freedom to choose to make time and space for a creative activity without external pressures. If we allow ourselves to connect to our emotions, we can choose to feel and express them safely through a creative outlet which can be healing and meaningful.
Here are 4 creative outlets:
Write a song: The idea of writing a song may be intimidating, but the process of writing a song can be exhilarating and fulfilling! . This link will give you easy steps to write your own song to express how you are feeling (even if you do not have much musical experience).
Make a painting/drawing: Drawing or painting can be a great positive distraction. This link provides tips on how to start drawing or painting even as a beginner.
Write a story: Not only can we write about how we’re feeling, but we also can write an alternate reality that reflects how we feel or how we want to feel. This link provides many tips to start writing your own authentic story!
Write a poem: Don’t want to commit to writing a long story? Try writing a short poem! You can even try challenging yourself to make a poetry journal. Creating a poetry journal could keep you accountable to constantly create something, while also giving you a way to reflect on how you once were and how far you’ve grown. This link guides you through starting to write your feelings and thoughts into a personal piece of poetry.
Keep in mind that when tapping into our creative outlets, aiming for perfection is not the main goal. The key goal is to process how you are feeling and turn it into something you can hear, feel, see, or touch. Through this we provide a sense of accomplishment and value in our lives.
4. Move and Dance!
It has been proven that moving reduces stress, boosts self-esteem, relieves feelings of depression, and so much more. (Bruce, Debra 2022) When we exercise, our body releases chemicals known as endorphins which trigger positive feelings in the body! (I love to crank my favorite songs and dance in the kitchen or in the shower).
Here are 4 movement and dance exercises:
Plan a thematic walk: Walking during the cold weather can be tedious and depending where you are located can be dangerous. Depending on where you are located, adjust the setting, and try to go out for a little walk to let your mind and body reset. This link will provide some ideas on how to make your walk a little more exciting.
Dance to a Video: An in-person dance movement class can be so fun but sometimes it’s hard to find one! This web resource provides a 30 minute “all-level” cardio dance workout! Get those endorphins pumping and enjoy moving and dancing to upbeat music! “Mewsic Moves”!
Stretch: Stretching is important for our minds and bodies. It helps improve flexibility which supports our physical performance in other daily physical activities. Stretching also brings our thoughts to the present moment which can be very beneficial to our mental health. This video offers support to individuals of all levels and ages to start stretching our bodies which overall impacts our mental wellness.
Hiking: Hiking is an excellent form of exercise that connects ourselves back to nature. Not only can we gain the feel-good endorphins from moving, but we also can gain perspective on how there is so much beautiful life around us. Hiking also has benefits for our heart, balance, and allows us to disconnect from all the outside noise. This link organizes trails for you whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
Not only do we encourage you to move, but music is proven to help motivate our bodies and minds to move at a steady pace for a longer period of time. (Thaut, 2015). Click the link below to see our holiday post from last year that includes a variety of songs to add to your movement playlist!
5. Join a social group meaningful to you
It can be challenging to put yourself out there, but a rewarding way to reduce the feelings of loneliness is to make an effort to connect with other people. Like Dr. Vivek Murphy said, one of the greatest elements of life is human connection. Taking the time to listen to someone and practice empathy can help us feel less alone, connected and be a positive presence for someone else. One way to connect with others is to join a club! Finding a group that has similar interests as our own can be a great start to making meaningful connections.
Here are 4 resources to various clubs:
Join a book club: Reading is an awesome way to learn, grow, and escape into an alternate reality. It gives us the opportunity to transform our everyday life. Taking the opportunity to talk to people about a book that you just read and enjoyed can be even more transformative! This resource is a reading program that is a worldwide digital version of a local book club. If you can’t find a book club in your community, this is a great way to connect with people from all over the world!
Join a singing group: Music is a wonderful way to deeply connect with people. This link takes you to an amazing group called, “The Sofa Singers”. Developed during the pandemic, this group was created with the mission to have an inclusive and supportive worldwide community that sings together online. Regular sessions take place at 7:30pm Tuesday and 11am Friday every week (GMT). Similarly, Mewsic Moves transitioned their Glee Choir for adults with neuro-divers, intellectual and developmental needs during the pandemic to an online zoom platform to help with community connection.
Join a gardening community: Gardening can make us feel more at peace and practice mindfulness by being present. It requires us to focus our attention on the immediate task allowing us to feel better in the moment. What’s even better is being able to do this while also having a place to share our little plant treasures with other people. Gardening can also be quite difficult if we don’t know the best way to take care of our plants. This resource link provides 10 online gardening communities!
Join a music appreciation community: A feeling possibly better than listening to your favorite song is having someone who loves that song just as much as you and listening to it together! There is ample evidence of how music adds life to our communities, engages our brains, and strengthens our sense of belonging and connection with others. (Playcore, 2020). This link directs you to a variety of music appreciation groups near you.
Mewsic Moves would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you our own music-making communities, Glee Choir and Musical Minds.
Glee Choir is our music therapy program for adults with neuro-diverse, intellectual and developmental special needs. The group is a safe space for our adults to share their love for music, while also working on a variety of goals such as building self-esteem, expressing emotions, social skills, and much more. We offer this program in person as well as via zoom to help support adults that are located in remote areas where programs may be less available.
Musical Minds is our group therapy program for individuals with Parkinson’s and/or Alzheimer’s to experience music-making together in a fun and safe environment, while also working on a variety of goals such as improving cognitive functioning, memory, self-expression, motor skills, and much more. We also like to include partners and family members into this program to continue to focus on family connection.
Lastly, we want all of you to know that you are not alone in these feelings. Mewsic Moves felt so deeply about this that we produced a video during the pandemic that focused on mental wellness and invited music therapists from all over the world to join in a musical message to let others know that whenever you are feeling lonely, anxious or depressed, and more… “You are Not Alone”
The next few months can be extremely difficult and draining for some. We want to validate that this can be a very tough time for many and we are here to help support you and hope some of these resources will help you survive this difficult time of the year.
Peaceful and Well Wishes this Holiday Season. You are not alone. Also if you need additional support we offer a FREE 30 minute consultation and offer counseling sessions to work on strategies to make it through the holiday season.
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Holiday Stress, Mental Health and Music Therapy
During the holidays, we often find ourselves under extreme pressure from media, advertisements, and sometimes even family to have high expectations of joy, family values and gratitude, but sometimes this part of the calendar year can often be taxing and painful for some. We want to make sure you are gentle with yourself and have some musical resources to help you maintain your positive and healthy mind throughout this challenging time of the year. Our amazing music therapist, Kate would like to share a few music interventions we use in our mental health music therapy groups that you can keep at your disposal and practice when things seem overwhelming during the holidays.
1. Playlists
Create the perfect playlist for boosting your mood or even validating your emotions. Music is inseparable from emotion. Meaning, that if you listen to music that you find uplifting, you can try to refocus your energy into positivity. Listening to music has been proven to lower stress hormones such as cortisol. It also helps regulate your autonomic nervous system which controls your blood pressure. One way to start making playlists is to find a mood or theme and create playlists that encompass that mood or theme. Then, you can use it as a tool when you’re feeling down or stressed. Music can be a support, companion and an outlet, plus much more.
Here is an example of our 5 top Playlist titles and some song examples for each: (click on song titles to listen)
Inspiration Songs
A Change is Gonna Come - by Sam Cooke
Cranes in the Sky - by Solange
Gratitude Songs
Gratitude - by Earth, Wind and Fire
Days - by the Kinks
Releasing Anger Songs
So What - by Pink
Break Stuff - by Limp Bizkit
Distraction Songs
Them Changes - by Thundercat
Wait for a Moment - by Vulfpeck
Nostalgia Songs
Choose songs that remind you of the past and help you reminisce good time. You may also choose songs you listened to when you were 18, or songs you listened to 10 years ago. (Caution - be careful of grieving during these songs, its meant to help you connect to good feelings and welcome those into the present not to grieve or worry that you no longer feel this way)
2. Gratitude Lists
One practice that lends to maintaining positivity in times of adversity, is gratitude. It’s important to stay grateful for the things you receive whether it’s tangible or intangible. It helps you realize what you have rather than focusing on what you don’t have. Tony Robbins also talks a lot about focusing on gratitude as a practice. He states “gratitude and fear cannot exist at the same time” so if anything a gratitude practice can put our fear or negative thoughts on hold. To create your gratitude list, first, you can put on your uplifting playlist you created from the above playlist example. Then, you can start your gratitude lists out small with three things you’re grateful for and write them down. A great time to do this is in the morning when you wake up, or at night before you fall asleep. Challenge yourself to not repeat items on your lists. Some people create a notebook or a journal just dedicated to gratitude. Then, when you’re feeling down, you can read through all of the things you’re grateful for.
Here are some songs that you can use while practicing gratitude: (click on song titles to listen)
What a Wonderful World - by Louis Armstrong
In My Life - by The Beatles
Grateful - by Rita Ora
3. Movement
Here at Mewsic Moves, we want to encourage you to move! And what a better way to move, than to music. We’re not telling you to flat out dance, although dancing is so good for you. You can move however you feel most comfortable. Moving your body to music, such as walking, stretching or dancing can help calm and regulate your emotions. It can energize you and it can even get rid of anxious energy and thoughts as many of us feel during the holiday season. What feels comfortable for you? Do you enjoy walking? If so, that bilateral stimulation provides much benefit for your body and mind. Do you enjoy stretching? It can provide stress relief, pain relief and mental clarity. Finally, dancing. It can improve cardio health, it’s gentle on the body, and it often leads to joy. Use your uplifting playlist, or create a dance playlist and find what feels good for you and your body.
Here are some songs that we suggest that will get you up off your feet: (click on song titles to listen)
Sir Duke - by Stevie Wonder
Hey Ya! - by OutKast
Electric Feel - by MGMT
Can’t Stop the Feeling - by Justin Timberlake
We want you to first of all know that it’s “OK Not to be OK” (by Marshmellow & Demi Lovato) during these next few months of holidays and the whirling emotions that many of us feel. Although it’s challenging to find contrary action in hard times, we believe in you and want to share some music resources to help you get through this holiday season. We also want to encourage you to reach out and connect with others when you feel alone or need support. We hope that some of these music resources will help and support your optimum mental wellness this holiday season.
Peaceful and Musical Wishes this Holiday Season.
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Top 5 Therapeutic Musical Toys For Children Of All Abilities: With Video Resources
After writing our first top therapeutic toy blog back in 2014, “TOP 10 MUSICAL TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM” and having it as our top read blog we continued to write again in 2020, “TOP 11 THERAPEUTIC MUSICAL TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS”. Since both of these resource lists has been such a popular read we would love to continue our holiday tradition and offer you yet another music therapy toy/instruments resource list! Plus much more this year!
Everyday we use unique, fun, motivational and engaging music instruments in our music therapy programs to help address multiple goals. Many family members and parents struggle during this time to find the “perfect gift” or “perfect toy” for the little ones on their gift lists, especially for some that have neurodiverse or developmental needs. We want to continue our Mewsic Moves resource holiday tradition and help you find that perfect musical toy(s) that provides exponential value.
This year we wanted to make our list not only beneficial but educational as well. So this year we are providing a short video that showcases one of our of amazing Neurologic Music Therapists, Zach, giving you a musical example of how we use the instrument as well as sharing some of the therapeutic value in each instrument. We know you will find much value in this years musical therapeutic toy list!
1. Cabasa
The cabasa is a versatile and unique instrument used in latin music that many children are drawn to as many have never seen one or used one before. It has bright shiny chains of beads that surround it and make a sound similar to a maraca as you roll the beads around the instrument. The cabasa ranges from large or smaller sizes as well as plastic or wood. We prefer the larger wooden cabasas as they provide better weight for proprioceptive input and pressure.
Cabasa can support:
Sensory processing & integration
Regulation
Body awareness
Speech and communication
Palmer grap control
For more details or to buy click here
2. Xylophone
The xylophone is one of our most used instruments as its transportable, easy to carry, and mimics the tonality and notes of a piano. The xylophone that we are adding to our list this year is one of our favorites as it can fold in half and some come with a carrying case. You can use one side as the major scale (similar to
white notes on piano), and the other side (the black notes) can be used to improvise songs together on a pentatonic scale which is fun to use as there are “no wrong notes”. We also love to add colored stickers to our xylophones and play music together through colors versus actual notes. It makes playing easier, fun and much more successful.
Xylophone can support:
Sustained attention
Joint attention
Communication skills (completing circles of communication)
Cognitive and impulse control skills (stop and go)
Turn taking
Eye-hand coordination
Gross motor skills
For more details or to buy click here
3. Ocean Drum
The ocean drum comes in many sizes and we prefer smaller size that can fit in a younger child’s hands. The ocean makes a beautiful and peaceful sound of the ocean as you tilt it back and forth. It can also create loud crashing wave sounds if you play and tilt it faster. The ocean drum we have chosen this year provides a visual appeal with under water display of fish and has a transparent top so you can see the beads rolling which often is a visual anchor and sensory support for many of our clients.
Ocean Drum can support:
Regulation
Sensory processing and integration
Turn taking
Cognitive control
Motor control and modulation
Sustained attention
Mindfulness and meditation
For more details or to buy click here
4. Hand/Desk Bells
Our younger clients love these bells! They are colorful and you can play them by pressing the handle or lifting them and striking them like a traditional bell. These bells also have a color sequence that aligns with the Cmajor scale that we use to work on color matching, sequencing, early music education and much more!
Hand Bells can support:
Working memory
Sequencing
Turn taking
Communication
Cognitive skills - colors and counting
Early music education
Early reading skill development
For more details or to buy click here
5. Gathering Drum
The gathering drum is a fun communal drum that sits on the floor and is perfect for circle time or gathering around with friends or family to join and play together. We prefer the larger gathering drum as it holds much space for friends to join around and it also provides a large deep base sound that fills the room as well as deep into your body. The gathering drum is one of our favorite drums to use as it can also help support impulse control as it has a large range in sounds from big and vibrational to more subtle and soft.
Gathering drum can support:
Cognitive control
Joint attention
Sustained attention
Modulating emotions
Self regulation
Co-regulation
Provides proprioceptive feedback
Speech & communication
Social goals
Bonding
For more details or to buy click here
I hope you find value in this list as well as the educational videos that we have provided to help give you some guidelines on how to use these instruments in a therapeutic way. We are always excited to share our resources with you to use with your family at home or with your clients in your office or schools. Music is truly motivational and transformational and we love to share the gifts of music with you. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the appropriateness of any instruments with your child or clients.
All of us at Mewsic Moves wish you and your family a musical holiday!
Gift the gift of music this holiday season.
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Self-Love Songs: Music Therapy for Trauma Survivors
Photo by Jean-Karim Dangou on Unsplash
A part of the human experience is trauma – some have a little, some have a lot. I won’t break down how people are broken down by the world; music often provides such answers, in raw, multi-dimensional, and engaging ways. Therein highlights the invaluable multi-tool which is the object of our discussion: music, or more specifically, music therapy for trauma survivors. Unfortunately, the stigmas associated with mental illness ensure many who suffer don’t get the help they need. This is, ironically, even true for musicians themselves, though mental health in the music industry is a beast of a different nature.
Music therapy is introducing many non-musicians to an outlet of self-love through the joys of music. There is empirical, theoretical, and experiential evidence to support music therapy. Sites of music therapy can be found in homes, prisons, schools, youth centers and hospitals around the world. Whereas it can be difficult to overcome or articulate our traumas in everyday settings, music therapy offers opportunities for release, self-discovery, reward, the facilitation of grieving and pleasure, and community building. Music therapy takes three forms: playing or listening to music alone, in a one-on-one setting with a licensed music therapist, and in a group setting.
All music can be therapeutic, whether you’re making the music yourself or listening to recordings. Although a licensed music therapist can help guide you through a process and provide more support, listening to music at home or playing on your own can also be healing. With the availability of recordings today, from YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or home CDs, you can choose from a wide range of genres. Whatever your mood and needs, there is likely a piece of music out there that can help. If you feel inspired to create music, you can hum or sing a familiar folk song for free. Using music as a way to improve your mood, work through complicated feelings, or calm down after a stressful day are all a type of music therapy. However, if you find that listening to your favorite song isn’t enough, you can contact a music therapist who can help you explore your feelings and trauma using music.
Where solitary action is simply not enough, music therapists are there to provide a service which could greatly benefit the trauma survivor in need. Guided exercises with music therapists, appointed by a mental health physician, combine the benefits of professional psychology with a ground-breaking methodology which aims to personalize and musicize the therapy process. Talking to – or better yet, singing to or with – another human being who knows what they are talking about when it comes to trauma can guide the individual through the difficult healing process in a way that better engages and empowers the individual.
Additionally, music therapy in a coordinated group setting has unique benefits which may not be achieved by an individual practicing alone. Group or communal music therapy aims to help people with working together and to instill a healthy mixture of individuality and unity. Group discussions and group-music-making can encourage individuals to feel as if they belong to a larger whole which can be extremely important. Serving as a basis for the case for group-oriented music therapy is the way in which music has cemented the bonds between a group of oppressed people, who share a connection to each other precisely because of their suffering. American Blacks, for example, subjugated to slavery in the United States, used such mediums as songs and hymns for unification and motivation as a cohesive unit of oppressed and estranged people. The same principle can be more broadly applied to disabled veterans who share with each other a similar trunk of struggles in the wake of their often-damaging services to the military, or a group of children devastated by a local tornado.
Music is more than just another coping mechanism for some, but rather a way of surviving, and there is strength in numbers. It is for many reasons including this that music therapy is a valid and expansive resource for those struggling with trauma, and it is emerging in many personal and institutional settings. If you are someone struggling with trauma and cannot find effective short-term or long-lasting coping mechanisms, music therapy may be the change you never knew you were searching for, the self-love song you’ve been longing to sing.
Exclusively written for mewsicmoves.com
Mewsic Moves is also offering telemusictherapy sessions during this time for those that need additional mental health support in dealing with anxiety and depression or also those that want to continue individual music therapy sessions but are practicing social distancing.
For more information please reach out to us:
email: john@mewsicmoves.com
phone: (818) 877-6797
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Top 11 Therapeutic Musical Toys for Children With Special Needs
After writing my first top therapeutic toy blog back in 2014 “TOP 10 MUSICAL TOYS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM”, it has become the number one most read blog and resource in my entire list! So it's time for an update!
I get multiple emails and questions directly from parents and therapists all the time asking how they can use their instruments at home as a therapeutic tool or what instruments they should buy to help with their child/clients therapeutic goals.
This is the time of the year when many families and friends struggle with what toys or gifts to give to their little ones and what a better way than to get them something that is both fun and therapeutic.
These are the top 11 favorite instruments that I use in my sessions that continues to offer so much therapeutic value, fun, engagement and overall success in each of my clients therapy goals.
1 - Floor Drum
Drums vary as much in price as they do in shapes and sizes, sounds and color! I use many varieties of drums in my sessions but I want to share this specific remo drum with you. This drum is sturdy, strong and has great acoustic sounds and vibration. This drum can sit easily on the floor and be played individually or together with 2 or 3 friends as a gathering drum. Oh, and did I mention it's affordable?!
Drums can help support:
Impulse Control
Eye-Hand Coordination
Turn-Taking
Focus and Attention
Auditory Skills
Regulation Skills
In a group it can help with social-emotional goals, non-verbal social cues and skill development
For more details click here
2 - Karaoke Microphone
Microphones can be so much fun to work on multiple goals from speech and language to increasing self-esteem. I prefer using microphones where you can manipulate the sounds to keep my clients engaged in the music process, to keep it fun and therefore better engagement and participation in achieving the therapeutic goals.
Microphones can help support:
Speech and Communication Skills
Self-Esteem
Social-Emotional Development
Creative Expression
Social Cues and Skills
For more details click here
3 - Shakers
Shakers are a staple in my music therapy instrument options. Shakers are always a fun welcome to any music activity in my clients sessions. Shakers and maracas are interchangeable in most of my sessions.
Shakers can help support:
Social Skill Development
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Eye-Hand Coordination
Educational Goals - colors, counting, etc.
For more details click here
4 - Lollipop Drum
These drums are a favorite choice for many of my younger clients. I choose the lollipop drums as they are very light weight and have a handle to help guide or sustain more controlled movements in my music therapy sessions.
The Lollipop drum can help support:
Eye-Hand Coordination
Gross Motor Skills
Visual Perception and Eye Tracking
Regulation Skills
Social Skills and Cues
Joint Attention and Play
For more details click here
5 - Bells
I had an intern many years ago that introduced these bells to me and I have used them ever since. Children love these bells as they are colorful and you can play them both by ringing them or tapping the top of the handle.
Bells can help support:
Early Reading Skill Development
Educational Goals - colors, counting and letter recognition
Early Music Education
Social Skills
Focus and Attention
For more details click here
6 - Steel Tongue Drum “Happy Drum”
This is a new addition to my instrument collection and a favorite by clients of all ages. This drum sits on your lap and is easy to play as the tones are in a tonal scale that is always in harmony as you play.
Tongue drums can help support:
Mindfulness
Meditation
Regulation skills
Social - Emotional skills
Eye-Hand coordination
Self-Expression
For more details click here
7 - Cajon
The cajon is also a new addition to my musical toolbox. This is such a fun instrument for all ages; children love the idea of sitting on an instrument and being able to play it in a variety of ways and feeling the rhythmic vibrations throughout their body. The cajon is a beautiful strong instrument and comes in various sizes. I prefer the larger sizes that can comfortably allow both my older adult clients as well as my younger clients to safely sit on it and play.
Cajon’s can help support:
Self-Expression
Eye-Hand Coordination
Social Cues and Skills
Self Regulation
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
For more details click here
8 - Kalimba
The kalimba is also known as a marimba and used in many African musical cultures creating a beautiful melody by plucking the metal keys with your thumbs and fingers. This instrument is very easy to play and has beautiful relaxing tones.
Kalimba can help support:
Fine Motor Development
Self-Expression
Meditation and Mindfulness
Emotional and Self-Regulation
Eye-Hand Coordination
For more details click here
9 - Xylophone
The xylophone is a staple instrument in my music therapy practice for children especially and adults alike. The xylophone is a great choice as it is transportable, affordable, mimics the notes of a piano, and versatile. Xylophones also come in a variety of sizes, materials and colors. For younger children I like to buy those with bright colors to make it more fun, but the one I’m choosing this year is a “collapsable” xylophone which makes for easy carrying and storing. I also tend to put colored stars on the xylophone to help with early music education skills.
Xylophones can help support:
Early Music Education
Eye-Hand Coordination
Gross Motor Skills
Social Cues and Skills
Impulse Control
Creative Expression
Focus and Attention
Bi-lateral Movements
For more details click here
10 - Ocean Drum
The ocean drum continues to be a favorite choice for many of my younger clients. Children often love to have the control of creating their own dynamics from loud to soft wave like sounds as well as enjoying the visuals of the beads moving about in the circular drum.
Ocean drums can help support:
Focus and Concentration
Gross Motor Skills
Mindfulness and Meditation
Self-Regulation
Impulse Control
Social Cues and Skills Within Groups
For more details click here
11 - Kazoo
The kazoo is such a fun and inexpensive instrument and therapeutic tool! Kazoo’s come in many different colors and materials. For those of you who have played a kazoo you are aware that it doesn’t work by just blowing into the instrument. Your vocal cords are required to make a vibration and buzzing type of sound which is a rudimentary skill in initial speech and language goals. I use kazoo’s with many young children that are working on their initial speech goals through helping produce breath support and to engage the vocal cords into initial vocalizations and furthermore speech development.
Kazoo’s help support:
Breath Control
Speech and Communication goals
Speech production
Self-Regulation
Creative Self-Expression
For more details click here
I hope you find these 11 instruments helpful in bringing some of the therapeutic benefits of music with your children whether in your home or office. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the appropriateness of a particular instrument for your child or client. If you are not working with a music therapist already, in most cases I can refer you to a qualified therapist in your area that can support your child’s developments through music therapy.
If you have any questions about any instruments that you currently have and how they can be used for therapeutic purposes please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as I’d love to support you and your child.
John Mews, BMT, NMT, AMFT
Founder & Owner - Mewsic Moves
email: john@mewsicmoves.com
Happy Holidays Everyone! Give the gift of music this year.
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Please like, share and or leave your comments below as we love to hear form you!
Benefits of Making Music With Your Family: Especially During Quarantine
The global pandemic has forced thousands of people to lessen their time outside of their homes. This has encouraged families to look into different types of activities that they can do from home. In line with this, Rolling Stone's piece on instrument sales during quarantine details that a surge in music gear sales and downloads for free music software Garageband has surged due to quarantine.
Now, if you've been undecided on whether or not making music with your family is something you should consider doing then this is the article for you.
Aside from it being an overall fun activity, making music with your family also brings other benefits as well. If you want to learn more about this process, read on for a quick discussion on why recording an album or some songs with your family could prove quite beneficial.
Benefits of Making Music With Your Family:
Bonding Opportunity
First of all, making music with your family is a great opportunity to bond. Even if you have children that are too young to participate, they can still reap the benefits of the music that you'll be making. The New York Times' article on lullabies and bonding highlights how babies' sense of hearing is the most important sense they'll give for the first two years. This is why singing to your children is one of the most effective ways to form a connection early on.
Cognitive Development
Aside from being a fun activity, playing and learning how to play instruments has quite a few cognitive benefits as well. An article published on INC. highlights that science has shown that musical training can change the brain's structure in a way that promotes long-term brain development. Mileage will obviously vary depending on how involved your children will be with the entire music-making process but this is something you may want to keep in mind when considering trying out musical activities with your family.
Importance of Creativity
Lastly, the importance of creativity when it comes to you child's development cannot be understated. A study conducted by researchers from UC Berkley detail that nurturing your child's creativity could help them with problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and social intelligence down the line.
What You'll Need to Record:
Audio Interface
To put it simply, your audio interface will be what sends your recording into your computer. All you have to do is connect a microphone into it to convert the sounds into digital form. Most audio interfaces come with features that let you monitor the metering and levels of your recordings to ensure that they're optimal for the music that you're trying to make. The Focusrite Scarlett is a good place to start as it is budget-friendly and is compatible with 3rd party digital audio workstations (more on this later).
Microphone
The next thing you'll need is a microphone to record instruments on. We understand that not everyone is familiar with music gear. Which is why it's important to look for a mic that's simple to set up and use. Shout4Music’s review of The Audio-Technica ATR2500 outlines how this particular type is a plug and play mic making it easy to handle and record with. Not to mention it has the range and flexibility to record a multitude of live instruments that may be used for the songs. If you're only going to be recording one song rather than an entire album, your phone or computer's built-in microphone may be the way to go. However, if you're going to be recording extensively, a decent microphone is pretty much a necessity.
Digital Audio Workstation
Lastly, a digital audio workstation (DAW) can make up for any live instruments you lack. It can even add effects and samples to any of your tracks. When it comes to DAWs you'll one want one that's intuitive and easy to use. If you're using macOS, Garageband is a great free option as it comes with many instruments and effects that'll be useful for any song you'll be trying to record.
If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check out our other article on the 11 Music Activities to Do With Your Family During Corona Virus Shut Down for additional things to try out!
Exclusively written for mewsicmoves.com
By: Leila Alayna
Mewsic Moves is also offering telemusictherapy sessions during this time for those that need additional mental health support in dealing with anxiety and depression or also those that want to continue individual music therapy sessions but are practicing social distancing.
For more information please reach out to us:
email: john@mewsicmoves.com
phone: (818) 877-6797
Let’s Be Social
Coronavirus Got You Down? You Are Not Alone!
As a mental health practitioner, I support people with various mental health conditions daily. My initial approach is to help clients first understand and recognize the elements and symptoms of mental health decline if they do not already. Many clients share that they have been struggling for a long time but were not aware of the elements of their conditions; and shame or embarrassment have kept them from seeking help or speaking out about their mental health challenges.
As the coronavirus pandemic began and the social isolation and distancing became mandatory, it made me think of so many who may be affected by mental health decline and are not even aware of its symptoms and effects on them.
I want to highlight some common thoughts or feelings that I encourage you to pay close attention to, and hopefully find the necessary help and support that you need during these challenging times. It is also important to understand that although many of these feelings and reactions are normal during a traumatizing pandemic, they can also lead to a deeper state of mental health decline.
Here is a list of some of the thoughts and feelings that I would like to bring to your attention:
1- Hopelessness
Giving into and repeating all the fear, thoughts, and negativity during this time can lead to a sense of hopelessness. This can be a sign of depression or a precursor to depression.
2- Panic & Anxiety
Panic is a sudden uncontrollable fear of something. If we spend too much time in panic and anxiety, this can have dramatic effects on our overall mental health and can lead to body pain and even panic attacks. This is something to pay attention to and I urge you to find ways to help decrease or distract you from panic, anxiety and worry.
3- Worry
Worry is a common trait of ours. However, as I described above, when we consistently feel worried it can turn into catastrophizing thoughts and have an overall impact on our emotional and physical wellbeing. Catasprophizing is ruminating on a negative thought and convincing yourself things are worse than they really are.
4- Feeling Overwhelmed
Many families, individuals, businesses and even our amazing heroic front line workers are more likely feeling overwhelmed right now. Feeling overwhelmed is not to be taken lightly or to be “shrugged off”. This is a common symptom of anxiety and an indicator that someone is doing “too much of something”. Feeling overwhelmed can also trigger panic and/or depression.
5- Lack of Interest/Desire
People who experience a lack of interest or desire in things that usually give them pleasure is often a core symptom of depression.
6- Engaging in Excessive Behaviors
This is a tricky one as many right now are binge watching Netflix and are bored and engaging in activities more than they usually would, including drinking alcohol. It is necessary to pay attention to this as this could lead to further excessive behaviors, and we need to check in on our mental health and strive for balance.
8- Case of the F*** Its!
Most of us know at our core that it is important to stay healthy, eat well, have balance in our lives and so on. But when someone feels overwhelmed, worried, has no interest and on top of that experiencing being alone in isolation, it is easy to get the case of the “F*** it’s”, which is a type of “I don’t care anymore” perspective. This can also lead to giving up on things that are important to your overall mental health like exercising, meditation, reaching out, and much more.
I want to encourage you in the midst of these chaotic times and this pandemic that we all experience some of these elements above; but I want to bring awareness to them and encourage you that “you are not alone” and if you recognize any of these thoughts and feelings in excess, I encourage you to reach out and seek help.
I feel very strongly about the use of music during these times. Being a music therapist, I see the many benefits of music to help validate as well as distract from many of our emotions and life situations that we may experience. I have turned to music many times myself to help release my emotions and worries during this time.
At the beginning of the pandemic I could not get the song “You Will Be Found” from the popular musical Dear Evan Hansen out of my head. I sat at the piano, recorded it, and felt especially drawn to the line that repeats “you are not alone”. I wanted to share this message with the world during this time and invited my music therapy colleagues from all over the world to join me in song. I have found so much comfort during these difficult times collaborating with 116 other music therapists across the world on this project and want to spread the message to the world that “you are not alone”.
As I have outlined above, I want to bring awareness to many of the thoughts and feelings that may arise during traumatic times and to educate others who may not know or understand its impact or effects. Please don’t be afraid to talk to others about what you are experiencing, seek help and know that “you are not alone”.
Thank you for taking the time to view this video and we encourage you to share this musical message with many others who may need to hear “You are Not Alone”!
Mewsic Moves is also offering telemusictherapy sessions during this time for those that need additional mental health support in dealing with anxiety and depression or also those that want to continue individual music therapy sessions but are practicing social distancing.
For more information please reach out to us:
email: john@mewsicmoves.com
phone: (818) 877-6797
Let’s Be Social
Photos by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash
11 Music Activities to do With Your Family During Corona Virus Shut Down
This is a challenging time for many right now as businesses and schools are closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus. There are millions of children that are having to stay home and one of the biggest concerns for parents is …
“What do I do with my children all day?”.
As a music therapist in the field for the past 15 years I have spent a lot of time helping families create and implement at home music programs from educational to a multitude of other therapeutic goals. As fear and worry surrounds us during this shutdown it is of utmost importance to also focus on optimum mental health. Music therapy has sown increase positive benefits over the years in multiple research studies that help reduce anxiety, depression, fear and worry. What a more important time right now to use music more than ever.
Here is a list of some of the musical activities that I suggest you share and implement with your family during this time. I highly suggest you to make it fun, make it educational and make it meaningful and memorable! These are times that children will remember most that during stress and chaos “my family came together through music and play”.
Enjoy sharing music with your family during this time!
1. Music Improvisation or Family Jam Session
Most music therapists use music improvisation (or jamming) as a way of connection, communication and helping clients redirect their energy and focus. You do NOT need to be a musician to improvise music. You can utilize instruments that you may already have at home or make it fun and creative and find objects around your home to use as instruments. For example: Pots and pans, buckets, keys, plastic containers, and much more can be fun improvisation instruments. You can also make a fun scavenger hunt for your family to see how many items they can find at home to turn into an instrument. Enjoy the creativity, sounds and rhythms you can make together as a family. Solos are also fun as well!
2. Song Play Lists
Music therapists often help clients collect songs to create various playlist to match their emotions or create memories of monumental moments. You can take some time where you and your family chooses an emotion and search for songs that they can place in each play list. Children can even do this on their own if you give them directions and access to YouTube to find songs that fit each category. Some category examples are:
Music to motivate me
Music that makes me happy
Music from my favorite movie
Music that clams me, etc.
Music family favorites
3. Music Dance Party
Music and movement is central to our bodies and can help us regulate our emotions and allow us to release tension. When music is played our whole bodies receive the therapeutic benefits of its vibration and sound. Mewsic moves (play on words intended) us to move and dance so why not create a list of your families favorite dance songs and move together and have fun.
4. Karaoke
Singing has been known to decrease anxiety and depression as well as a powerful tool in expressing our feelings. Find some family favorites and sing along together. Youtube has a lot of karaoke sing along versions of songs that could be fun for you and your family.
5. Song Rewriting
Music therapists utilize song rewriting activities in many sessions to help clients connect to their feelings or to express themselves. Song rewriting can be made easier by taking out various words from a familiar song for your family to fill in the blanks and to make the song their own.
For example: You are my sunshine can be rewritten as:
You are my ___?___, you make me ___?___, when skies are ___?___…
6. Music to Relax and Practice Mindfulness
Photo by Jyotirmoy Gupta on Unsplash
Music can have a therapeutic impact on helping us relax, practice mindfulness, focus on positivity and allow us to let go of negative/fearful thoughts. This can be a useful tool right now to help children (and parents) to practice relaxation, medication and practice focusing on gratitude and positivity in a time of uncertainty and worry.
You can take time to go through all your families favorite songs that help them to feel calm. I prefer to use music that has no lyrics to help focus on images or thoughts that come to mind when you sit, listen and focus on mindfulness.
7. Music and Art
Music and art is a powerful combination to help express, focus and share our thoughts and/or feelings. Music and art is also a therapeutic combination to help with expression, mindfulness and exploring creativity. You can have your children create art (such as painting, drawing or collaging) to match the music or their feelings.
8. Make Your Own Instruments
This has usually been a favorite in my sessions with the children that I work with. Make this activity fun and encourage your children to find things around the house that they can use to make their own instruments.
For example: empty prescription medication bottles can turn into a fun musical shaker if filled with rice or beans. Also, plastic containers can turn into a fun guitar or stringed instrument with elastic bands around it. Pots and pans are always a favorite with young children but not so much with parents! (I learned how to play the drums with my parents pots and pans set)
9. Music Trivia
This will take a little bit of research and time but can be a fun activity to learn more about music, lyrics and artists. For example:
How many songs can you list that has the word HAPPY in it?
Name 3 songs by Beyonce
Who sang Let it go?
10. Learn a New instrument
For those of you that may have an instrument at home this can be an ideal time to sit down and learn some of the basics of this instrument together. Youtube has many amazing videos on basic piano, guitar and ukulele strategies to name a few. I highly recommend ukulele as it is an affordable instrument as well as easier to learn than guitar, especially for younger children.
11. Educational Learning Through Music
Many music therapist utilize music to help children learn new educational material that they may have struggles with at school. Turn math, reading and social stories to a whole new level by creating a simple melody to make learning fun and easier to learn. How did most of us learn the alphabet? We sang it!! Make learning fun through music. For example:
Create math song melodies to learn addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and more.
Use rhythm and melody to help with spelling
I hope you find these 11 musical interventions helpful for you and your family during this time of being homebound and trying to fill the time. Also, please share any of your ideas or musical videos of you and your family creating music together as I’d love to see what you create together.
I welcome any additions to this list and love to share musical resources to help all families during this time. Please share in the comments below.
Mewsic Moves is also offering telemusictherapy sessions during this time for those that need additional mental health support in dealing with anxiety and depression or also those that want to continue individual music therapy sessions but are practicing social distancing.
For more information please reach out to us:
email: john@mewsicmoves.com
phone: (818) 877-6797