Hello! My name is Tori. I am glad you are here! I am a masters level, board certified music therapist with almost 18 years experience. And MAN…I love what I do! Let me tell you a little bit about my background. I have had extensive experience in various settings and with diverse populations. Over the span of my career I have had the privilege of working with hospitalized pediatrics and their families, veterans, survivors of abuse, individuals with various disabilities and mental health challenges, and neurodivergent individuals.

I am a trauma informed music therapist that practices strength-based, resource-oriented and neurodiversity affirming approaches to music therapy and am informed by psychodynamic and humanistic theories. That means that I believe in my clients’ potential first and foremost. I believe in their unique abilities and I am more interested in who they are as an individual more than in a diagnosis.

I love working with children and adolescents/young adults. I have a particular interest in working with neurodivergent individuals who are working through various mental health challenges, skill-building, grief, and trauma. It’s not easy to navigate a world that doesn’t feel like it was made for everyone.

I also really love working with families and believe that the original system IS the family! Parents and caregivers are the FRONTLINE WORKERS!!!!! So, I like to partner with parents and caregivers to create an environment where they can thrive and love their kids (whether little or big) for the amazing humans they are!

First of all, you don't have to be a musician to access music. In fact, music IS the access. There are many ways that music can help people meet and address NON-musical goals. Some ways include singing, songwriting, improvising, listening to and discussing music, engaging in lyric analysis, experiencing movement with music, and even music instruction and learning. I apply various methods of music therapy that are best suited for each individual and, in some cases, provide therapeutic/adapted voice and piano lessons.

The following are some goals I address in music therapy with clients:

• develop coping skills

• process a traumatic event

• encourage self-compassion and self-acceptance

• increase self-regulation

• improve sense of self and overall self-esteem

• increase self-awareness

• provide opportunities for positive social experiences

• support executive functioning skills

• enhance receptive and expressive communication

• build cognitive skills

• manage anxiety and depression

• develop emotional intelligence