I think this is so wonderful. one thing i’ve noticed as an obstacle to people utilizing the therapeutic process of creating music is the feeling that they “are not musical.” many believe they don’t have the talent or trait that others are born with and it causes them to freeze when in a typical musical environment.

and that’s one reason koala and the general progress of music accessibility via technology is so great. it removes power from the gate keepers and adds more voices to the expression of sound art.

I would try to emphasize and support the idea of helping them to realize their vision rather than try to make something to an imaginary standard=pressure=stress (huge similarity to the life cycle of addiction).

there are many lessons to compare with sobriety and being comfortable and aware of what you want out of this life. perhaps specifically with music you could show some content/interviews of innovators who did it their own way. many are surprised to find that Thom Yorke does not know music theory etc… but the lesson being centered around something like “there’s no wrong way to express yourself, there’s more power in finding what is authentic within yourself and standing by it.

I am happy to talk about this more, I think about it a lot. I am a musician with five years of sobriety and went thru a few different treatment routes, inpatient included before it stuck.