Man in the Can - The Life of a Dreamer (Autism Awareness)

Well, this got my heart! 

Patrick lost his job and both of his parents, but he never gave up on his dream. Here's a little smackeral of autism awareness and inspiration for ya! (click on the video link below) 

Keep on singing,

Jessica

What Happens to Your Brain Under the Influence of Music? (Article by: Alasdair Wilkins)

"From the perspective of neuroscience, listening to music is one of the most complex things you can do. Many parts of your brain have to work together to comprehend even the simplest tune. So what is music really doing to our minds?" 

Hello Friends!

What a great article! This is an easy read with good concrete biological evidence/ examples (without being too overwhelming)!  Click here for the whole article.  Below are some at-a-glance bullet points ... good stuff! 

Jessica

• The prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and many parts of the temporal lobe all go into our ability to recognize the tone of a given piece of music. Taken all together, this means that music already brings in three out of four of the lobes of the human brain - frontal, parietal, and temporal
• (So what about the fourth lobe? Yep, even the Occipital is engaged ... ) Another intriguing side-effect of listening to music is the activation of the visual cortex, found in the back of the brain in the occipital lobe. 
• Part of the reason that music tends to be so meaningful to us is that it's deeply intertwined with memory.
• And let's not forget the language aspect of music. Obviously, not all songs have lyrics, but those that do draw upon the language centers of the brain. The two main parts of the brain associated with language are Wernicke's area and Broca's area, the former of which is found in the temporal lobe while the latter is in the frontal lobe. 
• Previous research has tended to indicate that Wernicke's area is more crucial to language comprehension, while Broca's area is more tied up in language production, though it now appears that there's significant overlap. In any event, we can add them to the list of brain regions tied up in music comprehension.
• A good song can trigger a cascade of secondary responses, often involuntarily. An obvious example of this is the propensity to move in time with music - not so much dancing, which is an active, independent process, but simple motions like tapping one's toe along with the song. This is caused by stimulation of neurons in the motor cortex.
• Even better, the brain hangs onto the ability to understand the emotional impact of music, even if the finer points of comprehension are lost. One study, for instance, focused on a woman with damage to her temporal lobe - and, by extension, her auditory cortex - that made it impossible for her to comprehend different melodies and other basic parts of musical structure. Even so, she was still able to read the basic emotional content of the music, respond appropriately to "happy" and "sad" music in turn.

-Alasdair Wilkins 

Click here to read the whole article

"Just Checking In" - BODY SCAN for Self Care/Stress Management

"Hey, just checking in!"

I've noticed I often start out messages, notes, emails, etc. with that little tag, "Just checking in!"
Well today I incorporated a self care/body awareness technique that reminded me of this.  Some call it a BODY SCAN, but I like to call it, "Just Checking In!"
Doing a body scan exercise only takes moments, and it goes a long way in both increasing your self awareness AND decreasing the progression of things you are allowing within yourself that are mentally, emotionally, and/or physically damaging.  

A Body Scan is just that.  It's you taking some moments to STOP and Check In. CHECK OUT of what you are presently doing  (working, thinking, stressing, staring at a computer, etc) and CHECK IN to your body.  This create's self and body awareness.  Why is this important? Here's why ... 

1)  PHYSICALLY - you become aware of tension building in your body (which can lead to muscle fatigue and tension, headaches, body aches and pain, etc).  Once you are tuned into and become aware of the physical manifestations of stress on your body, you can take steps to alleviate these physical symptoms. You can recognize this sooner, in the beginning stages, rather than later, when it's become actual pain/ailment. 

2) MENTALLY - First off, you are taking a mental break, which is important for more reasons that the obvious.  Not only does it allow you to take a much needed mental breather, you will also find that the quality of your work and your endurance improves upon return.  Secondly, you become more aware and tuned in to your thoughts and how they are affecting your physical body.  When I do this exercise and I find that I have head tension and my brain feels like it's going a million miles an hour trying to get things accomplished, I make a point to focus on my head muscles and my head in general (even picturing my own brain).  Then I tell myself things like, "It's ok, you are working hard and you will get things accomplished.  Relax and then keep going.  It's all good." (Ha, yes, I'm encouraging you to talk to yourself!)

3) EMOTIONALLY - Emotions such as stress and worry and fear (and others ... fill in your own blanks), as you know, have an effect on us physically and mentally.  It works the other way around as well.  Our mental state and physical state can lead to certain emotions which often only continue the cycle.  So! Doing a Body Scan helps us to also become aware of our emotions, identify if we are feeling stress or worry (etc), and also see how it's effecting us in other areas.  We can then correct these, therefore, stopping the cycle.  

So, why wouldn't a quick little exercise like this NOT be an absolute must? Easy, quick, convenient, and it goes a loooooong way.  It could also keep you from developing that annoying headache (or neck pain or stomach issues etc etc) you "seem to get" at the end of a work day or certain project or even in a non work scenario (relationship stress, facing new self goals, etc).  

There are various techniques, ranging from more in depth exercises (similar to PMR exercises and such) to quick, on-the-spot exercises.  Today, though, I would specifically like to focus on a brief version that can be incorporated as yet another type of tool for you and your self care.

* NOTE: Be sure to only do this exercise within a safe environment as it is an exercise that is focused around deep inner concentration.  (Do not do this exercise while driving or during any other safety compromising activity.) 

Here's a quick (but potent) BODY SCAN option:

1) As always, get yourself in a comfortable position.  Close your eyes if able.  

2) Tune out of your external environment and begin to tune into your own body and self.

3) Notice right off what is going on with your body.  Do you feel tension anywhere? Do you feel any aches anywhere? If so, where exactly? Do you notice any dominant or repeating thoughts or feelings that may be leading to this tension? (For example, I may close my eyes and after tuning into my body, I notice that my head feels tense and my mind feels racy.)

3) Become aware of your breathing.  Begin to take more fluid, natural breaths.  Focus on your breathes.  

4) Picture yourself 'breathing in" relaxation and peace with each inhale, and "breathing out" tension and stress with each exhale. 

5) Just continue to notice any places within your body that need attention.  Breath out breaths through this area, and picture that the muscles in that area are relaxing with each breath.  Your mind determines what your body does after all, doesn't it? So tell it to relax. The main purposes of breathing are to breathe life giving oxygen in and to release carbon dioxide (released because it's not what our body needs).  So, it makes sense to breathe in what we need, and breathe out what we don't need.  

6) While you are guiding your breathes and relaxing tensions in your body, also allow yourself to casually notice any thoughts that are coming into your head. Recognize any that may be leading to your body tensions, and release those thoughts.  Each time those thoughts some into your mind, again, just picture yourself releasing them.  Offer in thoughts that are positive as it's these positive thoughts that are actually what help us to "get things done".  

7) Do your best to remained focused inwardly.  However, if interruptions come through, just acknowledge them and then let them slip away.  Then refocus on your body scan. Continue to check in with all parts of your body.

8) When you are ready, gently open your eyes and return to your work or present activity with a better state of mind and relaxed body.  

So ... guess what? These types of exercises not only help "in the moment", they also help to retrain your brain over time.  As you continue to recognize and release negative thought patterns, you will notice that your natural tendencies will begin to naturally shift to positive/healthy thought patterns.  

Have a great weekend, friends!

Jessica Daisi

"Sometimes I Feel ... (sad, mad, sleepy, excited, happy)"

Here is a song I came up with for a client for the purpose of:
1)  Identifying emotion of either anger or sadness that the client seems to be feeling
2)  Allowing for expression of the emotion (release)
3)  Allowing for discussion to identify the specific circumstance/incident that lead to this emotion

NOTE: This song starts out with "SAD" emotion and then moves through emotions, ending on "HAPPY". This was purposeful and appropriate for the client for which this was intended/recommended. This allows you to meet the client where they are (sad, i.e.), gives opportunity for the client to identify/express the emotion as well as to identify the scenario that lead to this emotion, and then moves them past this (onto contentment). Again, this is appropriate for certain situations, but not for others. Feel free to contact me for info on appropriateness/implementation.

ALSO, I sometimes will start out with "MAD", and follow with "SAD". I will rewrite the verse for "MAD" to say:
"Sometimes I feel Mad,
Mad, mad, mad!
(but) sometimes when I'm mad,
I'm really feeling sad.
Do you ever feel Mad like this?"
I will implement this when appropriate to a given scenario if I think the client is masking sadness with anger (often times anger is a 'safe' emotion). Following this then with "SAD" often helps the client to recognize if they are really feeling sadness or anger. This helps with identification and expression.

Visit the "SOUND CLIPS" page of my website to listen to this song. 
 
Jessica

Proposed Draft Revisions to DSM Disorders and Criteria

Publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is scheduled for May 2013.
Please visit the DSM-5 Development Web for information on proposed draft revisions to DSM Disorders and Criteria.  This site provides information culminated from over 10 years of revision activities, made possible thanks to the generous dedication of more than 600 global experts in the field of mental health.

"The DSM-5 Task Force and Work Group members are working to develop criteria for diagnoses that not only reflect new advances in the science and conceptualization of mental disorders, but also reflect the needs of our patients. We encourage you to delve into the wealth of information contained within this site to become familiar with some of the advancements in scientific and clinical knowledge that will assist in making diagnoses more accurate, valid, and clinically useful. We also hope that this knowledge will pave the way for further research in these important areas.
Your input, whether you are a clinician, a researcher, an administrator, or a person/family member affected by a mental disorder, is important to us. We thank you for taking part in this historic process and look forward to receiving your feedback. "
- David J. Kupfer, M.D., DSM-5 Task Force Chair
- Darrel A. Regier, M.D., M.P.H., DSM-5 Task Force Vice-Chair


NOTE that the DSM-5 Task Force is inviting applicable professionals as well as the general public (those who are or have family affected by a mental disorder) to give feedback.  Also, viewers will be able to submit comments until April 20, 2010. After that time, the site will be available for viewing only.



Jessica

Adolescents

Today's blog is inspired both by my professional and personal aspects on the subject. 

This past Saturday, we had our spring state MTASC meeting here in Charleston, and after the meeting a CMTE course was offered, entitled,  I Write the Songs = Songwriting in/as Music Therapy.  I write a good bit of songs, both professionally and personally, and don't always see eye to eye with some of the concepts taught in some other similar workshops I have attended.  However, I have to say that this CMTE course was great.  Thank you, thank you, Tracy Richardson, for your insights! 

Anyhow, at one point, Tracy divided us into groups for group songwriting for a (hypothetical) group of 6 adolescent boys, ages 12-14 years old within a psychiatric setting.  We were only to write 1 verse and the chorus (we didn't have time to write a whole song).  One thing that seems to be consistent with any adolescent (whether "typical" or in a facility/with disorder) seems to be a need for understanding and a need for self expression.  How many times have you heard a teenager say, "No one understands me!"  (???) So our group goal for this song was: To facilitate opportunity for self expression.  Here is the song portion we wrote:

"No one understands,
 No one understands
 I feel so alone,
 I need a voice of my own.

 I have so many "friends"
 are they really friends?
 Many people surround me,
 do they really see ME?"

In a session, this could really go a long way to giving someone a way to voice this ... well, to give him/her a voice.  It would be great way lead in to an activity to allow opportunity to highlight individuality (increase self image/esteem).  First (1) express this feeling of not being understood, and then (2) allowing an opporunity to be understood by expressing self, strengths/opinions, thoughts/ideas.

So, that's the professional aspect.

The personal aspect I have on this is that I have a teenager which results in teenage friends and neighbors who congregate in my house.  My sweet niece (who is my child's bf) made an amazingly insightful post on Facebook yesterday that really caught my attention.  It's related to what is mentioned above, I think.  She is a naturally confident girl who likes herself, and is not afraid to be herself.  I greatly admire that about her, especially considering her age.  She gave voice to what, most likely, every one her age feels.

This was her FB posting:
"Why is it so hard to be yourself in today's society? You dress how people want, talk like people want, and be what people what you to be. Why can't I just be me?"

Wow. 

Anyone who knows me won't be at all surprised at the way that I answered this ... with a Dr. Suess quote, of course! :)

 no matter how people try, no1 can ever be good at being anyone else but themselves. a famous philosopher once said (ok, so it was Dr. Seuss) :

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ... He also said,
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

... good stuff. Anybody who you truely admire is someone who is being themselves.

Jessica

Music Therapy and Mental Health

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. It is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy and consists of using music therapeutically to address physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning for patients of all ages. Because music therapy is a powerful and non-invasive medium, unique outcomes are possible. In addition to its applications in mental health, music therapy is used successfully in a variety of additional healthcare and educational settings.

How Does Music Therapy Make a Difference for Persons with Mental Health Needs?

Music therapy is an efficacious and valid treatment for persons who have psychosocial, affective, cognitive and communicative needs. Research results and clinical experiences attest to the viability of music therapy even in those who are resistive to other treatment approaches. Music is a form of sensory stimulation that provokes responses due to the familiarity, predictability and feelings of security associated with it. Music therapy for clients with mental health concerns uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression. The aim of therapy is to help individuals develop relationships and address issues they may not be able to address using words alone. Music therapy sessions include the use of active music making, music listening, and discussion.
 
Click on the links below to view full (4 page) summary on MT and Mental Health.  This includes general goal areas, treatment outcomes, and references to resources for extended research.

Music Therapy and Mental Health

Here's another great link (this is a great one that goes into a little more detail) :

Music Therapy in Mental Health— Evidence-Based Practice Support 

Jessica

Oh Monday ...

WHAT IF MONDAYS COULD GO FROM

<<  THIS .................................... TO THIS >>

Most people feel like this about Mondays ...

Monday Morning

I wake up
and it starts again.
I get up
then I fall back in.
I'm just
not ready for another a week this Monday morning!
I get ready
for a boring day.
I head out
to school on my way.
I just
want it to be over soon this Monday morning!
It's first period
and it's draggin on.
I can't wait
for the bell to ring, I'm gone.
I just
hope there isn't too much of this Monday morning!


The bell rings
fifth period has begun.
I can't believe
the morning's still not done.
I just
need afternoon to drive away this Monday morning!


I get home
finally I'm back.
But there's homework
my, it's such a stack.
I just
wish this day hadn't started off with Monday morning!
-Jane Meyer

I have found something that works to ease the jolt of the things that I dread facing but have to.  It's all about associations, really.  I've blogged on this idea before, but thought that "Monday" would be a great thing to apply it to.  After all, no one can get out of a Monday, and it happens every time every week.

Come up with something that you relish, and a build a Monday ritual around it.  The key is to only allow yourself to do that thing on Monday.  Obviously, it has to be something that you can fit into a Monday easily, and will be able to include EVERY Monday.  "Going to the park" may be something you are able to do this Monday, but may not be something that you know that you'll be able to do every Monday (or it may be depending on your particular location and schedule).  "Grabbing a donut and certain drink (that you only allow yourself on Mondays) on the way to work" may be a good one.  Or, eating at a certain restaurant on Monday for LUNCH may be another good one.  For those of use by the beach, establishing a tradition or grabbing a cup of coffee/treat, and sitting in our car looking out at the ocean for a few minutes b/f work may be a great new tradition (that would go far for me, personally!)

There are many, many possibilities, but make sure it's something that you can really really get excited about.  It has to be catered to you.  If you are trying to come up with this for your child, either think of something that they will look forward to (catered around them) or just simply ask them and let them come up with it. 

NOTE:  Do not put your new Monday tradition in the evening time because by that time, the worst part of Monday is practically over, and you are already close to relaxation and looking forward to Monday's close.  Put this tradition "within reach" during the day (morning or noontime, I would say).  You will then hopefully spend the first part of your day (the typical "hard-to-get-of-bed dread") by looking forward to your Monday tradition, and you will spend the rest of the day feeling refreshed from your Monday moment.  Hey, you may find that you want to include 2 special Monday traditions (one for the morning and one for the afternoon) ... I guess that depends on your degree of typical Monday loathing! ;)

I would love to know your new Monday traditions! They may be ones others would like to adopt as well :)

May the dread of your Monday be softened by the relish of at least one good Monday moment,
Jessica 

Lay It Down

Lay It Down

-jdaisi grooms
"I feel so tired.
I feel so alone.
So many burdens
and mistakes I've made ...
Tired of carrying them
all my days.


I want to lay them down...
I've got to lay them down...
I'm going to lay them down...
Right now."

Are there things you have been carrying? Things that aren't healthy for you? Things you need to let go of ... things you need to let go of you?

Don't believe those thoughts that you deserve your burdon ... that you earned it.  Don't believe that it's there to stay, that you can't shake it. 

It's time. 

Lay it down. 

Take a moment soon to go to a private peaceful place where you can be alone and focus ... free of distractions.  Put on some instrumental music, and close your eyes and try to focus on making these words count ... then say the above poem/lyrics out loud.  Mean every word.  You may want to take it a step further, and write down those burdens that you are releasing, and then physically 'get rid of them' by throwing the paper in the trash (ripping it first, if you'd like to ... to feel, maybe, that it's truly finished). 

Take a some time afterwards to breath deeply, and picture yourself without those burdens anymore.  Go back to life and reality in that new state.

Jessica

a different perspective

There is an AA saying/prayer that I think is beneficial to anyone and everyone, regardless of circumstance.  It's a saying I have heard a thousand times before (both from having a family member in AA when I was a child AND through my profession when I worked in substance abuse).  However, today, I thought of it in a manner that I never have before, and my eyes were opened to something I never saw before.  Here is the saying/prayer that I am sure you have most likely heard at one time or another:

God, grant me the
Serenity to accept things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and
Wisdom to know the difference.

I never really paid much attention to the word "serenity" in this.  I always heard it/processed sort of like this:

God, grant me the serenity to
ACCEPT the things I CANNOT CHANGE
COURAGE to CHANGE the THINGS I CAN, and
WISDOM to KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

That beautiful, hopeful, peaceful word never stood out to me until now.  I always focused more on the other points, mainly, wisdom to know the difference between what can be changed and what cannot.

But there it is ... there it has always been.  The potential for SERENITY in these difficult moments in our lives where we have to accept difficult things.  It seems almost odd to pick such a word for this, but what a huge sigh of relief.  And what a great reminder that we can choose how much power and hold we give to these things that can consume us. 

I just wanted to share that,
Jessica

Recording Thoughts

When I was a little girl, the only thing appealing to me about writing in a diary was the lock and key on the diary. It seemed more of a chore to me, really. However, by the time I was in high school I adored writing in/on my journals, hands, and/or scrap pieces of paper. This has followed me on into adulthood. Well, except the only times that I ever write on my hands anymore is to occasionally draw on a tattoo (always the same thing ... " steadfast <3 "). Something I've been 'warming up to' since ... well ... forever ;)

Anyhow, the art of writing is an amazing thing. It allows us to record our thoughts, emotions, opinions, life lessons, amusements, dreams, and questions. I, personally, have many journals dedicated to various things (one that I use to record memories/special moments with my son, one for jotting down lyrics/songs I've written, one to write down quotes/bible verses/poems, and so on). As with music, writing can often times allow us to express things we typically aren't able to with the spoken word. I often find that I can write my feelings, thoughts, etc. much better than I am able to verbalize them. Sometimes there are things we would like to express, things we need to say to someone, but (for whatever reason) can't. Writing these things down often offers some relief to the situation.

Yesterday I started a page in one of my journals entitled, "These things and what I have learned from them". So often I've been taught something through things (often things in nature), and the result is a deeper understanding and wisdom of life itself. Often times these can be a metaphor or provide a parallel to other things in life. Yesterday, as I was walking to my front door I passed my tea olive tree in bloom. It always strikes me how few flowers this tree has (and how tiny the flowers), and how much fragrance that tree releases. I just love it!

This was my journal entry on the lesson a tree taught me (a tree!?!):

tea olive tree - with it's tiny flowers that are so surprisingly fragrant ... sometimes we overlook the potency of the little things.


So today my hope for you is that you not overlook what the little things have to offer.

Also, I am thankful for writing. I'm thankful for the opportunity to record life lessons that I so often need to learn (or at least be reminded of) more than once in a lifetime.

Jessica

Away with the 'old thoughts'

What is it that you need to hear today?
What concern, fear, thought is following you?
We often have things that follow us throughout our days, and without our knowledge, they seep into every part of our life. We make decisions and react off of these things, and don't even realize it.

Take some time to sit down for a moment.
Go somewhere that you can be quiet and still.

Put on some calming music or sounds (nature sounds, maybe). Close your eyes, and try to access that concern, thought, fear, motivation. Identify it. From there, ask yourself this:

What do I do about this?

* Some things we can take physical action to remedy.
In those cases:
1) identify the problem
2) take time to contemplate the best remedy/speak to someone knowledgeable about it
3) take action.

* Other things are more a matter of making a decision as to how a certain thing will affect us.
In that case, you may find it helpful to implement some sort of brief quote/phrase/mantra to remedy this. Make it personal. Make it speak specifically to you, your fear, your repeating thought.

What wisdom have you found that you sometimes forget and need to remind yourself of? (i.e. - "I will not worry over ___________ anymore.")

What confirming thought do you need ... what confirming words would bring you peace if you heard them spoken to you? What do you need to hear? Those should be your words to yourself. These should be things that are meant to help you grow as a person, not to hinder your growth.

Here are a couple of examples:
"I am safe. I have done all that I can in this situation. I will not give another thought to this worry. I am safe."

"I am worthy. I will not believe those old thoughts. I have purpose. I am worthy."

OR, it may be an inspirational phrase, quote, or passage that works for you. Make it very short and simple so that you can easily access it. You want to be able to read/recite this (an index card in your pocket or a note in your phone) to yourself each time during your day when you have that 'old thought'.

Realize just how many times those offending/harmful thoughts rehearse themselves in your mind throughout even just the course of a single day. Realize that you need healthy/productive thoughts to counteract these. New thoughts to replace the old thoughts. Rehearse these just as you've rehearsed the old ones.

Rather than the quick fixes we try to put on things, seek wisdom. Seek a longer lasting and more beneficial answer.

Peace is an important thing. I wish you moments of peace today.

Jessica

Music and Imagery for Children with Serious Illness

As many of you who are familiar with Music Therapy know, there are many techniques and models used within session. As a Music Therapist, I love having such a variety of effective tools as options. Examples of these are music and movement, music and relaxation, active listening, song analysis, song writing, creating music, music and imagery, instrumental improvisation, among others. Having so many tools is one way in which Music Therapy is able to cater to the specifics of a client.

One technique sometimes used in MT has to do with combining music with imagery. Many Music Therapists use basic forms of this, however, there is a whole other level of music and imagery called Guided Imagery in Music in which a Music Therapist can get special training in, and can then specialize in GIM.

Many therapies not only use the imagery technique, but often will encourage this for use outside of therapy as well. Of course, like with any technique implemented, it is important to first learn how to correctly and effectively understand and implement the technique.

I have in my collection of resources a wonderful book called Healing Images for Children by Nancy Klein, M.A.. I mention and list this book in the Recommended Resources section of my website, but wanted to go into a little further detail today.

This is book is geared toward children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. I have found it very useful in use with these children as well as children who are facing other scenarios. Children who are facing scenarios where they need a new perspective on a situation, need to feel empowerment in a situation, need to find a 'safe place', need a method for coping, etc have benefited from this.

This book is full of mini stories with themes. There are categories of stories which are based around a specific medical/hospital scenario such as routine procedures. For example, some of the story categories in this book are: Stories About Taking Medicine, Stories About Radiation Therapy, and Stories About Surgery. Other categories are a little more broad and can relate to children without medically based needs/characteristics. These story categories include: Stories about Relaxation, Stories to Help You Fall Asleep, Stories for Helping with Painful Sensations, Stories About Taking Medicine.

Each story has a specific point of focus included with it (typically repeated throughout the story) such as in the story entitled Paintbrush in which the point of focus is, "I can brush away pain."

Using the proper music alongside these stories is very important. We know that music can have a profound effect on us mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and so on. It is with this in mind that we must realize that music is made up of various components that lead to the type of influence it may have on a person. When choosing music for our own selves, it is easier to determine whether or not the music is having the desired effect because, for example, I know what type of music "makes me feel relaxed". However, choosing music to elicit a certain response/have a certain effect on another person is a little more complicated. You may not interpret a piece of music the same way that I do. There are things to consider such as tempo, key, genre, bpm, tempo and key changes, dynamics, and so on and so forth. There was a time when people assumed that if the music was classical, it was automatically good for relaxation. However, this is not always the case. Be sure to consult with your Music Therapist first. He or she will be able to aid you with this.

Ooooh! I apologize for such a long blog- can you tell I love this book?!

Have a great weekend!

Jessica

NOTE: Jessica Grooms is in no way responsible or involved in your ordering process of any materials recommended or listed here. Ordering materials is done independently by you.