Better With Music PH

13/04/2026

Hi, my name is Thea Tolentino and I’m an RMT (Registered Music Therapist) based in the Philippines. Let me re-introduce myself by reposting this in celebration of World Music Therapy Week! 🥳

23/02/2026

A student shared that she had to block an artist she loved because the music reminded her of something painful.We talked about MEAMs: Musically Evoked Autobiographical Memories and how music becomes deeply wired to emotionally charged life events.The beautiful thing is that the brain is capable of neuroplasticity. When we’re ready, we can gently create new associations with the same music.But emotional healing isn’t about forcing exposure.We honor where we are first.Then, when there is safety, we begin again.

21/02/2026

Is it bad to listen to sad music? It’s one of the questions I get asked most by clients, by my university students, and by anyone who’s ever wondered why heartbreak sometimes sounds beautiful. Here’s how I answered it during my recent talk at Miriam College High School.

12/11/2025

I’ll be at RePLAY Summit 2025 this Saturday, November 15, at Museo Pambata, sharing thoughts on the value of music and play from both an educational and music therapy lens.

Music and play have a way of bringing us back to curiosity, connection, and the simple act of being present and engaged. Grateful to be in the company of an inspiring group of speakers and play advocates who keep that spirit alive.

06/10/2025

For the first time in 50 years, a Filipino Registered Music Therapist will set foot on the AMTA stage!

I’m deeply honored to be presenting at the 50th AMTA (Australian Music Therapy Association) Conference, a space where I’ll be speaking, learning and developing new skills alongside experts and specialists in the field.

I’m grateful to carry the stories and voices of the communities I serve, and excited to bring back new knowledge and inspiration to the Pinoys whom I love so much. Kasama ko kayo dito. 💙❤️💛🇵🇭

17/08/2025

As a music therapist, I cannot be silent.
I stand with the people of Gaza and condemn the ongoing genocide.

Music is about humanity, connection, and dignity, values that can only exist when human rights are upheld. ❤️🇵🇸

13/08/2025

Hello teachers! 👋 Want to use music to help kids transition, regulate or learn but not sure where to start?

This online ukulele class is designed for educators with no formal music training!

You’ll learn simple strumming, classroom-friendly songs, and how to confidently use music in your daily routines and lessons.

🎵 What you’ll get:

•Learn 2–3 songs per week with easy chords and strum patterns

•Guided use of music for routines, learning, and emotional regulation

•Song sheets I personally transcribed—over 30+ Filipino and 30+ English songs for classroom use

•Access to recorded sessions (in case you miss one) 🙂

🗓️ Every Saturday | 11am -12 pm via Zoom

💰 ₱500/session or ₱1800 for 4 sessions

💌 Register link: https://forms.gle/t4c9s1RKdBTtgZdD8

📥 Message me with questions!

Let’s make music-making simple, fun and accessible for every educator. 😊

31/07/2025

2,000 su***des in just six months is a scary and alarming figure. Even with the passage of the Mental Health Law, services remain underfunded and many schools and communities still lack access to psychologists or counselors. These reflect the deep cracks in our mental health system.

I’m a music therapist who works at the intersections of psychology, education, and community work. I’ve seen how accessible, expressive arts programs can give young people a voice, especially those who feel invisible or misunderstood.

Group music-making, songwriting, movement, art and storytelling create safe containers for people to process grief, anger, fear, and shame. Emotions that when left unspoken, often fester into something much heavier.

These can offer much-needed support, not as a substitute for clinical care, but as a frontline, preventive force that builds resilience, connection, and emotional literacy.

We cannot afford to wait for a perfect mental health infrastructure to appear before we act. While continuing to fight for systemic reform, we must also activate the strengths already present in our communities. THE ARTS ARE AMONG THOSE STRENGHTHS. They are woven into our culture, our rituals, our ways of coming together. If we empower local leaders, educators, and therapists to use them wisely, we can create small pockets of hope in places that need them the most.

Sometimes, just being seen, heard, and held in a safe space can change the direction of a life.❤️

TODAY'S EDITORIAL: The Philippine Mental Health Act, Republic Act 11036, was signed way back in June 2018. Among other things, RA 11036 provides that hotlines operating 24/7 must be set up nationwide to assist people with mental health problems, particularly those at risk of committing su***de. https://tinyurl.com/3t5s7mh9

25/07/2025

Still feeling the warmth from my time with this amazing group of preschool teachers. 🤗👏

They showed up despite the rainy weather and we spent the morning exploring music-based strategies to support emotional regulation in children (and themselves, too). 😊

So grateful for their openness and energy. We need more spaces like this for those who hold space for children every single day. 🫶

Special thanks to Go for organizing this! ❤️❤️❤️

More stories and feedback soon. 😊

17/07/2025

In addition to performances, we will showcase engaging talks and informative lectures. One of these is "Exploring the Guitar’s Role in Music Therapy" by licensed music therapist Althea Danielle Tolentino, RMT.

What happens when the guitar becomes more than an instrument?

In this talk, Althea shares how the guitar shows up in her work with children, teens, and adults—from supporting emotional expression and co-regulation to offering a familiar, grounding presence in therapy sessions. Whether strummed gently or silently held, the guitar plays many roles in the music therapy space: grounding rhythm, a shared language, a safe container, and often, a companion.

This session is for anyone curious about how music, especially the guitar, can support connection, care, and creativity in ways that go beyond performance. Drawing from real examples in practice, the talk invites guitarists and music lovers alike to consider the many ways our instruments can help us listen, hold space, and meet others right where they are.

08/07/2025

Music Therapy services now available. 😊

Providing music therapy for emotional regulation, neurodivergence support, and mental wellness. Message to learn more or book a session 😊