Available for new work opportunities
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Available for new work opportunities 〰️
Jodi McLaren
Board Certified Music Therapist & Neurology Music Therapy Fellow
WNC Music Therapy
Go Deep. Have Fun. Feel Better.
Addiction & Mental Health Benefits
Can you imagine a client who is “going through the motions” of recovery but is numb to their emotions and unmotivated to engage with the group? Imagine that person opening up to a group within minutes, and realizing that they’re less alone than they thought! This is what is possible when you hire a music therapist.
Because music therapists use MUSIC to reach clinical goals, we have the ability to build rapport within minutes, rather than weeks, and authentically reach clients who otherwise appear to be completely closed off and uninterested.
Music touches people in ways that words and other experiences cannot, which is why music therapy is an essential component in any recovery program and/or healing environment.
Every time I lead music therapy groups in addiction and recovery settings, I hear things like:
“I didn’t expect to like this group, but it’s been the most helpful group I’ve had in all of my recovery so far.”
“I wish we could have this group more often.”
“This is way more engaging than sitting around talking and doing worksheets.”
“I feel spiritually connected in a way I haven’t experienced in years.”
“I love how our group worked together and we weren’t bickering and fighting like we normally have been. It’s nice to see that we can all get along.”
“I haven’t laughed or smiled like this in a long time.”
Men, who have been socially conditioned to cut off from emotions, often are moved to tears in my groups, and offer genuine support to one another for being “man enough” to feel their emotions. This deepens trust in the group, which deepens the capacity for healing in the group setting.
Women, trans, and queer folks often relish in the opportunity to be creative and share how music has helped them through their darkest times.
It makes sense to bring music, something people already relate to and love, into recovery, to help people realize their goals and dreams in life. And music therapists are trained to know the best, evidence-based practices to help people achieve their goals.
What do these client benefits mean for staff?
Their clients are in a better mood, and feel more open toward making progress, which creates a more enjoyable work environment.
Clients are more motivated to stay the course of recovery, which means better outcomes for programs and staff.
When clients feel safe and relaxed, there are less incidents and behaviors for staff to manage.
Staff get to see the joyful and creative sides of their clients, which makes their job more meaningful and fun.
Ready to find out if music therapy is a good fit for your program?
Testimonials
About WNC Music Therapist: Jodi McLaren
Jodi McLaren is a Board Certified Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow with a passion for helping individuals and groups heal and thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally through music. Jodi has been featured on local and national news, radio and podcasts for her work bringing music and songwriting to people of all ages in a variety of settings including but not limited to: inpatient mental health facilities, schools, prisons, hospitals, methadone clinics, addiction treatment centers, and indigenous community centers.
For Jodi, Music Therapy is about building relationships and giving people resources to connect with themselves and each other. She led hundreds of individuals in WNC recovery groups to find joy, connection, and confidence in the midst of some of their deepest life challenges. She supported a stroke-survivor with expressive aphasia to write, sing and perform original music and improve her ability to speak using neurologic music therapy techniques. She led flagship songwriting programs in two state prisons, and co-created the first Reno Lullaby Project in 2017, supporting mothers in inpatient recovery to write lullabies for their children. She advocated for families in the school system, being the first to provide music therapy in Washoe County public schools as part of an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
Jodi is also a Certified ReBloom Coach, with extensive training in post-traumatic growth and trauma resolution. She is dedicated to unlearning white supremacy and building a more equitable loving liberated culture across race and other differences. She works with clients 1-1 integrating music, music therapy, and coaching based on the needs of her clients.
She’s friendly, adaptable, self-motivated, responsible, well-spoken, and highly-skilled at meeting people where they are and supporting them with their most pressing needs, through everyone’s favorite thing: music.
Press
Scroll and click below to read articles, watch TV segments, and listen to radio shows that feature Jodi McLaren’s music therapy work.
Original Music
In addition to being a music therapist, Jodi McLaren is a singer-songwriter. Below are some of her top songs.
Guided Meditations
Due to popular request, Jodi McLaren has recorded three live guided meditations with music that she uses regularly in music therapy groups. Guided meditations can help reduce anxiety and stress, increase relaxation, improve mood, and aide in sleep.
Contact
Email: jodi@jodimclaren.com