Blog

November 26, 2025

     Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!  As tradition goes, Thanksgiving is often a time for us to revisit and reflect on what we are thankful for.  However, I want to look at the idea of thankfulness from my interpretation of a different point of view - the clients that we serve.   A client who comes to music therapy.....

• knowing it is a safe place 

• to be with others who may have similar experiences and musically share themselves

• can experience first hand what music therapy is and how it is used as a tool for learning and growth

• is able to express themselves in a different and unique manner

• has family members and caregivers who comment on positive changes 

• knowing they are the most important person in their space and their needs will be met

• deserves the best experience possible with a highly trained professional

• has a brain and body that is actively changing in response to music and musical stimuli

October 19, 2025

     As I sit here on a Sunday evening after a beautiful sunny day in South Carolina (can't beat 71 degrees in mid-October!), I think about what the Autumn season means to me.  From living in the Midwest for the majority of my life;, I always loved the change of seasons, but especially the fall.  16 years ago when we made the move, I wondered if the seasons would be similar in South Carolina.  As luck would have it, we still have the 4 seasons, but overall, the weather is warmer and we don't have snow/ice for 6 months of the year!  When I think about fall, it's not only about a change in the weather, but also a change in perspective and the promise of leaving things behind in order to begin again.   I feel the same way about my career in music therapy and staring this new endeavor of Lumina Music Therapy.   Although I'm not leaving music therapy,  I am moving in a different direction from clinical work, 17 months of unofficial retirement:) in order to challenge myself in a new way and  help those who are currently practicing, supervising or teaching.  I am sincerely excited about this new adventure and am looking forward to more learning, more connections and above all, more of using my knowledge and experience to help others navigate their own journeys.