Joyful Noises LLC

08/07/2025

I believe (and the research supports) that we must work to make changes to prevent burnout on two fronts - we must make systemic changes to address the actual origins and causes of burnout, AND we need to care for ourselves as we do this work.

Last month, I shared about the importance of connecting with our musical identity. Creating and listening to music that honors that musical identity, either alone or in community, is a vital part of self-care that can sustain and support us while we work together to make systemic changes in our profession and world.

What is one song or artist that is helping to sustain and support you right now?

Please comment below so that we can continue to fill our cups, build our playlists, and share our wisdom together.



ID: “Is this burnout? Or is this capitalism & systemic oppression?” with two Joyful Noises bluebirds facing the text

08/05/2025

Many thanks to the Certification Board for Music Therapists and ALL of the folks who contributed to these important updates!

🎶Exciting news! The 2025 CBMT Board Certification Domains have officially been released. This in-depth document outlines the essential knowledge areas and related tasks of a board-certified music therapist. These updated standards take effect on October 27, 2025. To explore the full details, head to the CBMT Resources page at:
www.cbmt.org/resources/.

07/18/2025

Thank you, Courage Plus. Please share these resources, all...

To all members of our LGBTQ+ community:

You are valuable. You are valid. We see you.

You deserve to live your life fully and authentically.

Help is here when you need it.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

07/17/2025

Thank you to NAMI for these resources. Please share...

07/17/2025

In honor of our exploration of musical identity and self-care as part of our “Summer of Session Plans,” I am sharing a meditative listening experience (also included in the Sustainable Self-Care CMTE mentioned below) with the folks on my email list to encourage reflection on this topic. Message me if you would like that link - no strings attached!

I also invite you to explore the continuing education options that I offer related to this topic. My Sustainable Self-Care series (10 CMTEs) includes information on musical identity and self-care, as well as a range of other topics related to sustainable self-care. Of course, caring for ourselves - including musically - is our ethical responsibility as music therapists. My Intersections between Ethics and Self-Care course (4 CMTEs) is one of my most popular - and includes 3 ethics credits!

You can check out all the details for these and all of my pre-approved courses by clicking the following link or the CMTE Community and Course Options button on the Linktree in my bio and scrolling down:
https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/for-professionals/cmte-community/

Thank you for being a part of our Joyful Noises community. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.



ID: “FREE ~ Musical Identity & Self-Care Meditative Listening Experience, Intersections between Ethics & Self-Care ~ 4 pre-approved CMTEs (including 3 ethics credits!), Sustainable Self-Care ~ 10 pre-approved CMTEs” written over the image of three hands holding coffee cups

07/10/2025

Business Basics Price Increase July 15th!

The first-year introductory price for our pre-approved "Business Basics" course will end on Monday, July 14th. Purchase BEFORE JULY 15TH to access 3 pre-approved CMTEs for only $49 ($29 if you are a member of a minoritized community)! Once you purchase this asynchronous course, you are free to complete it at your convenience.

You can learn more and register by scrolling down on our CMTE Community page via the link below or via the Linktree in our bio:
https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/for-professionals/cmte-community/



ID: "LAST CHANCE Business Basics Price Increase Coming July 15th! Purchase NOW & Complete at Your Convenience! 3 pre-approved CMTEs" written in the midst of multiple alarm clocks

07/03/2025

Last month, I shared that I am offering a special “Summer of Session Plans” series in our MT Mentor community. As we focus on the ways that we share music with the clients with whom we work, we will also be making time to honor our own relationships with music.

I invite you to join us by reflecting on these questions:

What is the role of music in your personal life?
What is the role in your professional life?
Why did you choose to study music therapy?
When it comes to music, where do you place your time and energy?
How has your musical identity evolved?
What is YOUR music?

What do you notice as you explore these prompts? Please comment below so that we can continue to fill our cups and share our wisdom together.



ID: “Musical Identity Reflections: What is the role of music in your personal life? What is the role in your professional life? Why did you choose to study music therapy? When it comes to music, where do you place your time and energy? How has your musical identity evolved? What is YOUR music?” with two Joyful Noises bluebirds facing the text

07/02/2025

URGENT - Please call your representatives TODAY!

Urgent Call-to-Action

The U.S. Senate passed the reconciliation bill this morning with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. It will now move back to the U.S. House of Representatives for approval.

Despite last minute changes to the Senate Bill, it still includes nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid. Please take this opportunity to contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to reject cuts to Medicaid by voting no on this bill. A House vote may occur within the next 24-36 hours, so please don't delay. Let your voice be heard.

To find the phone number for your U.S. Representative see this link:
https://clerk.house.gov/Members

Or call the U.S. House switchboard: (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative’s office.

✅ Encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to call too—every voice counts!

Thank you!

06/19/2025

Thank you to the American Dance Therapy Association for sharing this. I believe that this is also applicable for us as music therapists, as we recognize and honor the cultural origins, meaning, and power of the music that we create and share with the clients we serve.

Honoring Juneteenth: A Day of Reflection, Resilience, and Liberation

Today, the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) honors Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865—the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Juneteenth is a time to remember the enduring strength and resilience of Black communities, to reflect on the ongoing struggles against systemic racism, and to renew our commitment to justice, equity, and liberation.

As dance/movement therapists, we recognize the power of the body and movement in healing generational trauma and celebrating cultural identity. We honor the Black artists, healers, and leaders whose legacies continue to shape our field and enrich our communities.

We invite our members and followers to take this day to listen, learn, reflect, and act in solidarity.

06/17/2025

In honor of our “Summer of Session Plans,” I am offering you all a couple of FREE resources that I’ve shared with the folks on my email list - two different session planning templates and a checklist documentation template. Message me, and I would be glad to send you those links - no strings attached!

I also invite you to explore the continuing education options that I offer related to this topic. Those who participate in or watch the recordings of this series as part of our MT Mentor community can earn at least 12 CMTEs - plus they get access to all of my pre-approved courses for FREE!

Learn more by clicking on the MT Mentor community button via the Linktree in my bio or on the link below:
https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

If joining our MT Mentor community is not the best fit for you, you can also explore the individual pre-approved courses I offer related to session planning. My Music Therapy Clinical Practice series (7 CMTEs) includes ideas for integrating all four music therapy methods as well as additional information on person-centered and trauma-informed practices and the imposter phenomenon. My new Compositional Methods course (3 CMTEs) dives deeper into that specific method and includes time for you to create your own compositional experience.

You can check out all the details for these and all of my pre-approved courses by clicking the following link or the CMTE Community and Course Options button on the Linktree in my bio and scrolling down:
https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/for-professionals/cmte-community/

Thank you for being a part of our Joyful Noises community. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.



ID: “Music Therapy Clinical Practice ~ 7 CMTEs, Compositional Methods ~ 3 CMTEs, FREE ~ Session Plan + Documentation Templates, https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/for-professionals/cmte-community/” written over the image of a classical guitar

06/05/2025

Last month I shared that one of the most frequent requests I get from music therapists is for concrete clinical ideas. Because of this, in conjunction with my new compositional methods course, I am offering a special “Summer of Session Plans” series in our MT Mentor community. If you are interested in diving into discussions and workshops on topics such as integrating other creative arts and all four music therapy methods in your music therapy sessions, building and organizing your repertoire, creating effective assessment and documentation templates for the clients with whom you work, and more, I would invite you to join us!

Learn more by clicking on the MT Mentor community button via the Linktree in my bio or on the link below:
https://joyfulnoisesllc.com/mt-mentor/

What topic related to session planning would YOU most like to learn about? Please share in the comments below so that we can continue to fill our cups and share our wisdom together.



ID: “Summer of Session Plans” above the image of a garden table with a laptop, notebook, and coffee cup on top