Here is a sample of what our clients and their families have to say about their individual and group music therapy experiences:<\/p>\n
Residents of addictions treatment centers and their families:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cEver since we began meeting, my depression has gone away. \u00a0This [music therapy] is what has helped me the most out of anything.\u201d\u2014Client C.A.<\/p>\n “That was better than my chemical of choice. I am completely relaxed. \u00a0My mind is clear. \u00a0All my worries are gone.”–Client G.F.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I told you at the beginning of the session, my pain never gets below a \u20183\u2019 or \u20184\u2019\u2014even with drugs.\u00a0 Now I\u2019m at a \u20181.\u2019\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe it!\u201d\u2014Client M.K.<\/p>\n \u201cThis helped me a lot with what I\u2019m dealing with right now.\u00a0 It made me happy\u2026 I\u2019ll be happy for the rest of the day.\u201d\u2014Client J.H.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday was my first day [in treatment] and I was anxious\u2014until music therapy.\u00a0 Afterwards I was calm and it really helped me to say \u2018Okay, I can do this.\u201d\u2014Client M.S.<\/p>\n Father of patient–C.T.:\u00a0 \u201cIt was hard to convince C. to come to treatment, but when we told him there was going to be music therapy here, it was easier.\u00a0 He knew it was the place for him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know how to relax until I met with Sam.\u00a0 I\u2019ve used the breathing techniques he taught me and it really helped.\u00a0 I take medications to help me sleep but for those to work you still have to be able to relax.\u201d\u2014Client K.H.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I heard we were having music therapy I thought I had checked into the wrong place, but then I went to one of the groups.\u00a0 It was so amazing.\u201d\u2014Client D.W.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m using that stuff you taught me\u2026\u00a0 I had a panic attack the other day.\u00a0 It was late and my counselor wasn\u2019t there, so I [pt described using a relaxation technique learned in music therapy].\u00a0 It worked\u2026I\u2019ve been using the techniques you taught me and my anxiety has been way down.\u201d\u2014Client L.B.<\/p>\n “I feel enlightened. \u00a0I was worried about leaving… I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”\u2014Client A.V.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore I came to [music therapy] group, I was so anxious I tried to go to the doctor and get some medication for it.\u00a0 [Pt was unable to get any meds.]\u00a0 Now my anxiety is gone.\u00a0 I feel light\u2026\u201d\u2014Client R.W.<\/p>\n \u201cI learned that I need to sit with my feelings and not run from them.\u201d\u2014Client M.<\/p>\n \u201cMusic therapy has really helped me\u2026 to calm down.\u00a0 I meditate every morning now.\u201d\u00a0 Anxiety: Pre-session: 6; Post-session: 0 \u2013Client S.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the imagery was the first time ever\u2014I mean ever\u2014that my mind was completely calm and I was able to relax.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been having a hard time lately because of really bad pain from my fibromyalgia\u2026 I felt no pain during the meditation.\u201d\u2014Client A.C.<\/p>\n \u201cThese guided imageries help my self-esteem\u2026 and I always learn something about myself.\u201d\u2014Client C.H.<\/p>\n Hospice patients and their families:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMy brother, my sister, and I all agree that your music time with our dear mother was the highlight of her [final] week.\u00a0 It brought her such great blessing as well as to us when we got to be with you!”–Daughter of patient–L.B.<\/p>\n “Dad is on hospice now so I may not see you again, but the more I’ve come around here and seen what you do, the more I realize how important what you do is: \u00a0their bodies may be broken, but their spirits are still in there. \u00a0You treat their spirits with your gentleness and kindness-and that’s important.”–Son of patient–B.S.<\/p>\n “You can stay and sing all day… That’s the most at ease I’ve seen her all afternoon… Earlier she was trying to climb out of her bed. \u00a0Now she’s so relaxed.”–Nurse T.J., patient–S.B.<\/p>\n “I wanted to tell you–Mom passed [away] 5 minutes after you walked out the door… It was just beautiful. \u00a0I think she may have been waiting for you. \u00a0She just loved music… \u00a0You led her home!”–Daughter of patient–L.R.<\/p>\n Residents of assisted living communities and their families:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWell, things are a little bad, but when you came along, things got pretty good\u2026\u00a0 It\u2019s good to have a friend to sit and talk to.\u00a0 I could do this all the time\u2026\u00a0 Now I think I can keep going\u2026\u00a0 Music just opens you up\u2026\u00a0 It\u2019s good to see a friend who listens to you\u2026 Thank you for helping me make it through\u2026\u201d \u00a0 –Client J.S.<\/p>\n Daughter of (above) Client–J.S: \u201cMy mother has dementia related Alzheimer\u2019s. \u00a0 She is residing in an assisted living facility… \u00a0Music therapy has helped her maintain her present level of memory. \u00a0She looks forward to the music and recognizes the therapists when they come in the door. \u00a0Music has always given her a great deal of pleasure and reinforces pleasant memories. \u00a0Because she receives music therapy twice a week, I (as well as my brothers who live out-of-state) can tell a marked difference in her cognitive abilities. Just to watch a session and see the look of total bliss on her face reinforces my belief that music therapy enhances her present life situation. \u00a0I wholeheartedly would recommend music therapy to anyone in our present situation.<\/strong>\u201d–R.G.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have no idea what you just did for us!\u00a0 You should have seen this place before you got here!\u00a0 You just lifted us up way high!<\/strong>\u201d–Client F.<\/p>\n \u201cThis group is the highlight of my week!<\/strong>\u201d–Client B.J.<\/p>\n Son of Client-B.R.: \u201c[The residents] are enchanted by you.\u00a0 You have a real gift!<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Daughter of Client-M.S.: \u201cI just wanted to thank you for coming.\u00a0 She is just glowing!\u00a0 She can\u2019t wait until you come back next week!\u201d<\/p>\n Letters written by clients:<\/strong><\/p>\n Sam,<\/p>\n I would like to say thank you for making such a difference in my life and recovery.\u00a0 You have inspired me and taught me to express my feelings and thoughts through song\u2026 \u00a0Music is my passion and you managed to recognize my determination and push me to strive for success.\u00a0 I will always remember what your music therapy class has done for me, but most of all, I appreciate the one to one sessions where you helped me come to some very important, even life-changing realizations.\u00a0 I cannot express my gratitude enough for what you have done for me and the changes that have resulted from your groups.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n L.W.<\/p>\n My name is K… I have suffered from chronic migraines for more than 20 years.\u00a0 For years I have taken prescription pain medication to ease the pain.\u00a0 However… I was taught wonderful breathing and relaxation techniques through music therapy.\u00a0 Our music therapist, Sam Brodsgaard is so wonderful.\u00a0 Everyone affectionately calls him \u201cSam the Music Man.\u201d\u00a0 I have been putting the techniques into my daily activities.\u00a0 I have been able to stop taking the medications, including painful shots for my migraines.\u00a0 The pain used to be so intense; I would end up in the emergency room.\u00a0 I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to work [individually] with Sam.<\/p>\n K.H.<\/p>\n I\u2019m writing this letter to express my gratitude toward the Music Therapy Program directed by Sam…\u00a0 During my rehabilitation stay, I experienced large group, small group, and one-on-one therapy sessions.\u00a0 What impressed me about the group sessions was how therapeutic techniques combined with musical meditation and\/or evaluation could break down psychic walls and allow expression of emotions from otherwise reclusive or quiet individuals.<\/p>\n When I was able to experience the individual sessions, Sam inspired me personally to write lyrics and develop music for a song, which we ultimately recorded on his iPhone.\u00a0 Sam encouraged my creativity in an arena that I never imagined and I am completely grateful… I thank Sam for revealing my musical talents, and mostly for allowing me to see my brothers and sisters in recovery come to know themselves from the wonders and miracles of this music therapy program.<\/p>\n Sincerely and Gratefully,<\/p>\n J.B.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is a sample of what our clients and their families have to say about their individual and group music therapy experiences: Residents of addictions<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":30,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"psp_head":"