Philadelphia Music Therapy

05/11/2026

This is the basic, non-radical minimum. Teaching mandating reported without any nuance, historical information, outcomes, and the role of oppression leads is dangerous. Students need to know the dangers of calling the state on vulnerable people. (ID: Philly skyline in an artsy filter with the text: Ethical "mandatory reporting" education includes at minimum:
• The dangers of calling the state: Trauma, death, police brutality, humiliation, loss of trust and implications of oppression.
• Suicidal ideation not always a crisis: People frequently have thoughts of dying
without intent, plan, or access to act on it.
• How to identify supports that will keep a person safe without resorting to calling the state or forced treatment.
• Fear of being reported causes people to hide suicidality, which can cause an exacerbation of symptoms and barriers to support.)

04/28/2026

If you only read one paper this year, let it be this one. Kudos to the max to Kate Myers Coffman. https://academic.oup.com/jmt/article/63/1/thag005/8663995?searchresult=1&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv0&fbclid=IwY2xjawReAuBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFZeDg2aEU1T1dvZGdlYUpkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsksEZwIFwTGfiFTXCFbk91L5dFt0VPkaI_jqA8UXfxFtF2kUk-ZvMZm2ymF_aem_sl7CuAH_tK8n43nfSJFr6Q&login=false

Abstract. Su***de is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of death for individuals across the lifespan. This study explored (a) what set

03/09/2026

Better late than never or wtf have you been doing? The first and last collomns don't correlate properly. I'll need a more sophisticated type of chart.
(Image: phillly skyline in a mosaic filter, text: When do you choose to speak out? Do you wait until it's safe and popular or do it when it's necessary?
SOCIAL & POLITICAL CAPITAL Low, Medium, High WHO IS SPEAKING Few people, Some people, Many people. RISK: Great Risk, Some Risk, Low Risk. URGENCY & IMPORT, High, Medium, Low)

02/08/2026

Speaking as someone who grew up with a thick accent in a small town, don't be a di****ad. (Acknowledging that I'm a white foreigner who no longer has an accent when I speak English, so it's not even that serious for me. ) I've known way too many therapists who are xenophobic and say and do sidewards thing to clients just because they have accents. (Image: Philly skyline, no filter, text: Feelings of inferiority can manifest as fragility and unjustified attacks. Consider that if you're having feelings about being monolingual. Belittling someone over their accent or forgetting a word in their 2nd or 3rd language is weak.)

01/19/2026

It's a great day to update your syllabus! I spend class #2 on this topic. We're in Philly so we learn about the MOVE bombing to better understand the history of cops here. (and because therapists working in Philly generally need to know) We learn about people who have recently died from withdrawal due to medical neglect in Philly jails and ICE detention and learn about mobile services ban, sweeps, and "wellness" court and jail. We look at pictures of them and their families. The homework is writing a song that reframes stigmatized statements about drug users and listening to 26 years, 17 days (Lyfe Jennings), Trauma (Meek Mill), and Slippin’ (DMX). What do you all do? (Image: cloudy Philly skyline taken from grays ferry bridge and the text: Substance use treatment education for therapists needs to emphasize stigma, the war on drugs, and carceral barriers to recovery. Show a Rick Ross interview, listen to songs about incarceration, teach how to de-weaponize treatment notes. Get the students to understand that drug users are human beings.)

01/18/2026

A huge shout out of gratitude to all who were part of our first Abolition Music Therapy forum. People came from as far as Texas, Colorado, New Hampshire, Delaware, New Jersey and New York and we had a solid Philly crew too. The collaborations were filling, generative, and energizing. Thank you to the for allowing us to use your space. Thank you to Amir from the Cedar Park Halal cart for the nurturing and delicious lunch. (Highly recommend!) This doesnt happen without family and community support both in the moment and in how we we've been raised and educated. And of course thank you to the best co-organizers, knowledge sharers, space holders, and dear friends, and . Stay tuned for more....

01/13/2026

We're finally almost here! I've been wanting to do this for a few years, but waited until I was done with some other commitments. I think the timing is just right though. As always, preparing with Zein and Jasmine is cup filling itself. www.philadelphiamusictherapy.com to register

Abolition Music Therapy Forum: A Day of Consciousness Raising
Registration is Open!
Discussion, music, & community building exploring:
• How do we un-colonize music therapy?
• How can MT education be freer?
• How do we build community resources and vehicles to share
information?
• How do we care for each other and for our communities?
January 17th, 2026
9:30-5:00
In-person at the Philly Free School 4950 Springfield Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Professionals: $60, Students: $40
This event will not be recorded and is not available for reparations pricing.

01/03/2026

No blood for oil. Washington DC 1990. Same story, but we keep pushing.

12/20/2025

Abolition Music Therapy Forum: A Day of Consciousness Raising
Registration is Open!
Discussion, music, & community building exploring:
• How do we un-colonize music therapy?
• How can MT education be freer?
• How do we build community resources and vehicles to share
information?
• How do we care for each other and for our communities?
January 17th, 2026
9:30-5:00
In-person at the Philly Free School 4950 Springfield Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Professionals: $60, Students: $40
This event will not be recorded and is not available for reparations pricing.

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Reflexive Music Therapy
7 credits (3 ethics) $60

Censorship and Music Therapy
4 credits (3 ethics) $45

Creating Music for Stress Management 4 credits $45

Use of Garageband in Music Therapy
4 credits $45

Spontaneous Songwriting in Mental Health Care
2 credits $30

Clinical Supervision $70

details: www.philadelphiamusictherapy.com

12/17/2025

I understand that advocating for the profession increases access and safety/quality of care and I do my fair share of working on that whether it be via organized work or explaining music therapy every time I'm asked. But I'm not pitching a fit over being called "music lady" and burning out on people not fully understanding my work. The clients know what we do and how deep and powerful our work is. Meanwhile, our systems are making people sick and killing people every day and we have a responsibility as therapists to fight that. If anything, music therapist know how to multi task, so we can advocate for human rights and the profession! (Image: Philly skyline in a mosaic filter. text: Sometimes it seems like a lot of music therapists care way more about advocating to gain respect as clinicians than advocating for client's human rights. But you don't get respect by only fighting for your ego.) .)

12/08/2025

Registration is open for this 7 credit Abolition Music Therapy Forum. Go to philadelphiamusictherapy.com/store for full details. (Image: blue sky background, fire bird rising and the following text: Abolition Music Therapy Forum: A Day of Consciousness Raising. Registration is open. Discussion, music, & community building exploring:
• How do we un-colonize music therapy?
• How can MT education be freer?
• How do we build community resources and vehicles to share
information?
• How do we care for each other and for our communities?
January 17th, 2026
9:30-5:00
In-person at the Philly Free School 4950 Springfield Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Professionals: $60, Students: $40
register at:
www.philadelphiamusictherapy.com or [email protected]
This event will not be recorded and is not available for reparations pricing.