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Music Behind Bars: Confessions of a Former Prison Music Therapist
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

Music Behind Bars: Confessions of a Former Prison Music Therapist

Music in prison? Take a behind-the-scenes look at Music Therapy in a California state prison, through the eyes of a former prison music therapist. Despite the importance of music and the efficacy of these programs to help support the mental health crisis behind bars, many correctional music therapy programs have been gutted. This article addresses why that’s happening and how public advocacy could help increase equitable access to music and music therapy for incarcerated people. A must-read for anyone who has been following the story of how Taylor Swift’s music inspired a California prison inmate.

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“Don’t Be So Sensitive”: 10 Signs You May Be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and 5 Tips to Help You Thrive
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

“Don’t Be So Sensitive”: 10 Signs You May Be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and 5 Tips to Help You Thrive

Do you think and feel things deeply? Are you easily overstimulated? Highly creative? You may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), a personality trait that involves heightened nervous system responsiveness. Learn 10 common traits of an HSP, 5 tips for thriving as an HSP, and how creative arts therapy may be the perfect way to explore this unique personality trait.

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How to Save a Life: National Suicide Prevention Month
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

How to Save a Life: National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. As a music therapist working in a California state prison, I had firsthand experiences with suicide loss. In this article, I’m sharing personal stories as well as practical suicide prevention resources and tips. We can all help prevent suicide. Included at the end of the article is an acoustic piano cover of “How to Save a Life” by The Fray, as used in a music therapy session.

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The Best Is Yet to Come: How My Grandpa’s Long Battle with Alzheimer’s and Love of Tony Bennett Led Me to Music Therapy
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

The Best Is Yet to Come: How My Grandpa’s Long Battle with Alzheimer’s and Love of Tony Bennett Led Me to Music Therapy

As the world grieves the loss of the inexplicably talented Tony Bennett, I can’t help but think about how my late Grandpa’s love of Tony’s music and long battle with Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately what led me to pursue a career in Music Therapy. To celebrate Tony’s life, my husband (also a music therapist) and I recorded and are sharing a cover of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” To learn more about music therapy and how it can support you or a loved one, please visit www.feelcreativewellness.com.

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A Case for Creative Wellness: How Creativity Can Improve Your Health
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

A Case for Creative Wellness: How Creativity Can Improve Your Health

Creativity can help you live a better, healthier, and happier life. Research has linked creativity with increased positive emotions, decreased symptoms of depression, reduced stress, reduced anxiety, improved ability to process trauma, and even improved immune system functioning. Luckily, creativity can be cultivated by viewing it as a wellness practice. Creative Arts Therapists—including Music Therapists—are uniquely positioned to help fight the world’s current mental health crisis. This Mental Health Awareness Month, learn how creativity can help support and/or improve your health.

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How Burnout Brought Me Back to the Here and Now
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

How Burnout Brought Me Back to the Here and Now

After working the front lines during the COVID pandemic with an invisible disability, I experienced a major bout of burnout that led to unexpected healing and re-connection with the here and now. Here’s how burnout unexpectedly led me back to a state of being awake (and how it might do the same for you.)

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Unlock Better Health with 4 M’s: Music, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Mindset
Elisha Ellis Madsen Elisha Ellis Madsen

Unlock Better Health with 4 M’s: Music, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Mindset

At Feel Creative Wellness, we believe there are 4 M’s to unlock better physical and mental health: music, mindfulness, meditation, and mindset. Our innovative approach to therapy is helping people learn to live and feel better in an increasingly confusing world. Could it help you, too? Read to learn more.

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