Music Therapy dealing with intense emotions in Boise

I am working with a young man in Boise who is working on a dealing with some intense emotions.  One of the beautiful things about music therapy is that we can address things without the client realizing that is what we are addressing.  So during our music therapy sessions, I am teaching him different things on the guitar and we are playing and singing different music and generally "jamming out" as he likes to call it.  In between we talk about using music as a positive outlet, and he discusses his feelings.  We have written songs talking about what is going on with him.

During the session he looked up at me and he said, "You don't know how much I look forward to this every week.  This is really the only thing that I look forward to."  So, I am able to help him work through his difficult and intense emotions without ever having to ask him, "how are you feeling?" or say "let's talk about your emotions."

music therapy with stroke patient with aphasia in Boise

It has been fun working with a stroke patient with aphasia.  Aphasia is a very frustrating condition where they can understand everything that is happening, and they know what they want to say, but they just can't form the words.  Because of the way that music is processed in the brain, people are able to form words when singing before they can form words through speaking.  It is an exciting moment when we are doing music and she is singing and suddenly she forms a word.  The look of excitement and almost surprise is priceless.

I am doing some more work for people with aphasia in June through the Idaho State extension with a pilot program.  If you know anybody who might be interested, please let me know.

Smiles through music therapy

Great things in life happen in small moments.  One of my favorite things while doing music therapy is seeing the smiles.  Smiles for most people is a regular occurrence, but for some people smiles rarely happen.  They are stuck in confusion through dementia or frustration because of a stroke.  Sometimes it just difficulty connecting with people.  It is amazing when I see these people smile.  I just love being able to see a change from frustration, confusion, pain, or disconnection to eye contact and a big smile.  Smiles are a thing that most people take for granted, but I have seen smiles that were miraculous.