The Family Music Program
Hello there! Bruchy here. It’s a joy to virtually meet you.
As a Child and Family Therapist - AND a lover of all things music - I have spent many years working with all different sorts of modalities to help families reach their therapy goals. I started incorporating Music as a modality several years ago — and the results speak for themselves. Er - sing for themselves.
Music has done for families in my practice as much - or more - than any other modality I use. It became clear that this was something I wish to bring to all families, whether they are currently in therapy or not. For families in therapy, the Musical Program will be an excellent additional resource. For families who are doing well but are simply interested in music: the program will be an anchor of love and harmony, expanding what is already there.
And, every single person, child or adult, comes out of the program playing any instrument they like - any instrument at all.
And thus, here we are:
the Family Music Program, a labor of love.
In ten weeks, your family will unlock a language of music that makes your home calmer, closer, and full of joy…
And most importantly - full of your own music!
No matter your background, you’ll learn to play any instrument and discover a new language of connection that lasts forever.
Program Objectives:
Learn to play any instrument in the world.
Connect with yourself, your child, and others through the language of music.
This research program also covers how music impacts and improves the following:
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Release old patterns of communication that no longer work, and learn how to use simple words, silence, and basic sound to communicate what you want to say.
In this module, we also learn the power of non-verbal communication and how to use it within the family. -
Feel the vibration of your breath, and learn how to use breath in your day to day life, with your/your child’s anxiety, and to extend the power of your focus and presence.
With this as the foundation, each family member learns the basics of how to use and play with any musical instrument of choice. We then learn together the basics of communicating through sound, breathing together, and collaborating with others in a new way than ever before.For families who have been seeking more connection, this program promises to unlock a new level of connection that goes beyond words.
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Just like every person has a. nervous system, so does every family.
In this program, you learn the hallmarks of what makes up a healthy nervous system, and the skills and practices that stabilize it.
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In this program, after building on the basics of breath and vibration, we treat anxiety in five basic steps:
Expect it
Greet it
Be uncomfortable and uncertain on purpose
Know what you want
Take action on your plan
These are rooted in the Lynn Lyons theory for anxiety relief, and we learn it as a family through games, rituals, language, and - of course - music.
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Learn the basic skills of focus retention in order to create new ways of practicing calmness, new ways of achieving family goals, and new pathways to tender appreciation of the present moment.
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Over the course of this program, the family unit is restored to balance as you play and breath together.
Roles are right sized, with parents finding their gentle voice and children regaining their joy in play,
shared experiences become a daily thing,
and rhythmic harmony comes back to the family unit in day to day interactions.
Research Modalities
Music Theory
Learn an instrument, and learn yourself.
Using Sound, Voice, and Vibration, we use this theory to break through old patterns of verbal communication and create new pathways for deeper, softer, and more effective connecting within and between all family members.
Mindfulness
Whether the presenting issue is Anxiety, ADHD, Social Inhibitions, sibling rivalry, or anything else… we begin and continue with a deep awareness of the breath, the self, and the present moment. This is carried through the entire program, deepening into the natural rhythm of individual and family life.
Developmental Psychology
Viewing the family through the Developmental Model, we move away from pathology and move in the direction of well-being and strengths. In locating the various developmental ‘gaps’ or ‘lags’ in different family members, we work to find holistic solutions that honor the full human being and the full family unit.
In case you are wondering…
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The most common question to get asked when I apply music to therapy is this: ‘what if I’m not musical at all?’
Fear not. By nature of being human, you have rhythm and music flowing through you at all times. In this program, we ‘connect’ with what is already there.
You need not have any musical experience to make use, and good use, of this program. -
For parents, the weekly classes will be focused on practicing basic therapeutic skills such as breath, focus, self-regulation, and inner dialogue work. In addition to this, we will work with different instruments each week to deepen your musical acumen and get in touch with how you can play with your children in more expansive ways. You teacher will offer clear and practical guidance and direction on how to do this.
The children’s role is mostly to play, and to allow themselves to be silly with the instruments rather than to have to produce any specific kind of music. The weekly music sessions for children will develop a gentle framework for the exploration of their own musical language.
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While the full-length program is designed to produce effects over time, you will start seeing results as soon as you start to look for them.
So, if on Day 1 of the program you open yourself up to seeing changes, however small, the changes and shifts will quickly appear.
In Week 1, we cover how to start looking for the shifts.
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All sessions are virtual, from the comfort of your own home.
It is recommended to be present for all live meetings.
All sessions include a post-session email with relevant details that were covered in the class. You will get this email each week, so if there is a week you must miss, rest assured that you will have the basic details in your inbox.
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The program is open to families of all kinds. Children, teens, and even emerging adults will do well at this program.
The main agents of music and change are the parents, so as long as the parents are showing up and investing their effort, every child will connect and learn at their own pace and in their own way.
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It is both!
We use music as the vessel, the example, and the tool by which we implement basic therapeutic techniques that all families can benefit from.