At Integrative Creative Therapy, we believe ADHD is more than a difficulty with focus or impulse control. It can affect how we navigate relationships, manage emotions, and see ourselves in the world. Our mission is to create a supportive environment that honors each person’s unique lived experience.
We combine creativity, compassion, and evidence-based practices to help you or your loved one manage ADHD symptoms. Located in Austin, TX, we also provide online services across the entire state of Texas and in New York. By blending art, music, movement, and talk therapy, we help you release stress and discover new ways of coping with everyday challenges.
How Creative Arts Music Therapy Supports ADHD
Creative Arts and Music Therapy taps into the power of self-expression to promote healing and growth. When words alone aren’t enough, modalities like art and music can express emotions more freely. For many individuals with ADHD, this kind of hands-on, process-oriented approach feels more natural than traditional talk therapy.
Our process is designed to meet you exactly where you are. We encourage you to explore your creativity, embrace your strengths, and discover new ways to stay grounded. This can include music making, drawing, writing, dancing, or other art forms that help channel energy and focus. By engaging both mind and body, Creative Arts and Music Therapy can improve concentration and boost self-esteem.
Therapists Specializing in Music Therapy for ADHD
Why Music Therapy for ADHD
Music therapy for ADHD offers a sensory-rich experience that helps build structure, rhythm, and emotional regulation. Through drumming, singing, or simply listening, music can soothe anxiety, improve mood, and strengthen attention skills. We might work on rhythmic exercises to support impulse control or create playlists that help you shift from stress to calm.
Children and teens often find music therapy a fun way to process emotions. Adults appreciate how it bypasses conventional talk therapy limits. We tailor sessions to each individual’s musical interests, making the work both enjoyable and effective. Our goal is to help you harness the power of music in a way that feels authentic and uplifting.
Music Therapy Treatment for ADHD Regulation
Our Trauma-Informed, Neurodivergent-Affirming Approach
We respect the experiences that shape who you are. Our team is trained to address trauma and recognize the strengths of neurodivergence. This means we won’t force you to change who you are. Instead, we focus on creating a safe space where you can explore new strategies for handling ADHD symptoms and heal past wounds that may be making them worse.
At Integrative Creative Therapy, we go beyond traditional talk therapy by engaging you cognitively, somatically, emotionally, and creatively. Our role isn’t to fix you, but to help you unburden past pain, expand your emotional capacity, and connect to your healthy core for a more authentic life. By integrating approaches such as EMDR, IFS, somatic work, and Creative Arts Music Therapy, we support you in uncovering deeper aspects of yourself that require attention.
Therapists Trained in Music Therapy for ADHD
Therapy Types for ADHD: Individual, Child, Teen, and Group
We offer different therapy settings to accommodate each person’s comfort level and needs. Our services include:
Individual Therapy
One-on-one sessions designed for adults seeking personalized support. We work with you to manage ADHD in daily life, reduce stress, and heal unresolved trauma.
Child Therapy (4+)
We use creative arts and music to help children learn self-regulation, express big emotions, and build confidence. Sessions often feel like play, making it easier for kids to connect and grow.
Teen Therapy
Teenagers face unique pressures around school, social life, and identity. Our creative modalities offer them a safe space to explore tough emotions, develop coping skills, and build a positive self-image.
Group Therapy
These sessions bring together individuals who share challenges related to ADHD. Creative arts activities promote connection, self-expression, and peer support. Group members learn from one another while practicing new social and emotional skills.
Our approach is built on trust and collaboration. We help you identify goals, track your progress, and adapt the plan as you grow. Whether you join an individual session or sign up for a group program, our focus stays on you as a whole person.
How the ADHD Brain & Body Feels
Racing Thoughts & Mental Restlessness
Difficulty Focusing or Sustaining Attention
Emotional Intensity & Mood Swings
Restlessness & Physical Hyperactivity
Music Therapy for ADHD's Neurological & Physical Symptoms
Struggling with Control & Follow-Through in ADHD
Impulse Control & Acting Without Thinking
Time Management & Organization Challenges
Procrastination & Task Initiation
Social Challenges & Relationship Friction
ADHD Effect on Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges
Your brain works differently, and that’s not something to fix. It’s something to understand and support with approaches that actually work for you.
Begin Your Journey with Integrative Creative Therapy
When you’re ready to explore a new way of managing ADHD, we’re here to help. Our practice is rooted in the understanding that you already have what it takes to heal. We simply provide the supportive framework and creative tools that help you uncover your inner strengths.
If you live in Austin, TX, or anywhere in Texas or New York, we invite you to reach out to us at Integrative Creative Therapy. Call us at (737) 307-1853 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our online sessions. We look forward to walking alongside you on your healing journey, empowering you to live with more vitality, flow, and joy.
Music Therapists For ADHD
Music Therapists Specializing in ADHD Support
Meet Our Team
Wen Chang-Lit, LCAT, MT-BC
- Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)
- Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (NY)
- EMDR Certified Therapist
- Somatic Experiencing and IFS training
Gabriel Lit, MA, MT-BC
- MA, Music Therapy (New York University)
- Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)
- Neurodivergent-affirming care specialist
- Early intervention and pediatric services
Frequently Asked Questions About Music Therapy for ADHD
Can Music Therapy Help with ADHD?
Yes. Music therapy is evidence-based and specifically effective for ADHD because it addresses both the neurological and emotional components of the condition.
How Music Therapy Addresses Core ADHD Challenges
Music therapy targets the specific ways ADHD affects the brain and body.
- Rhythm training strengthens attention and impulse control by engaging the neural networks responsible for executive function.
- Active engagement with music provides dopamine support naturally, which is crucial since people with ADHD often have lower baseline dopamine.
- Creative expression gives voice to emotions that words alone cannot capture
- Physical movement with music channels restlessness productively instead of suppressing it
Many people find that a music therapist can design interventions matched specifically to their unique ADHD presentation.
What Research Shows
Music therapy has documented benefits for ADHD across multiple domains:
- Improvements in focus and sustained attention
- Better impulse control and behavioral regulation
- Enhanced emotional regulation and mood stability
- Increased self-esteem and confidence
- Stronger social connection and communication skills
The research indicates that rhythm synchronizes brain activity in ways that support executive function. When you engage with a steady beat, your prefrontal cortex stabilizes.
How It Differs from Other Approaches
Traditional talk therapy focuses on cognitive understanding and changing thought patterns. While valuable, it doesn’t always reach the nervous system level where ADHD regulation happens.
Medication addresses neurotransmitter levels and can be essential, but it doesn’t teach your body and brain new regulation strategies. Music therapy works with how your brain naturally learns and processes information through sound, rhythm, and creative engagement.
Many people benefit from combining music therapy with other approaches. Our music therapy counseling often complements individual therapy, medication, and other treatments by providing a different pathway to regulation and self-understanding.
What Calms an ADHD Brain?
The ADHD brain responds to rhythm, novelty, and engagement in ways that neurotypical brains do not. What calms ADHD is not the same as what calms a non-ADHD brain.
Elements That Support Calm in ADHD
- Predictable rhythm and steady beat help the brain downshift from chaos to focus by providing neural anchors.
- Engaging activity that holds attention provides the stimulation the ADHD brain requires without overstimulation.
- Sensory experiences, including sound, movement, and texture, give the nervous system something productive to process
- A clear structure with a defined beginning and end creates psychological safety.
- Autonomy and choice within that structure honors the ADHD need for personal control and agency.
What Doesn’t Work (and Why)
- Forced stillness increases anxiety rather than reducing it
- Silence can amplify intrusive thoughts and a racing mind without an external structure to anchor attention
- Boring activities feel physically uncomfortable and trigger restlessness rather than calmness
- Overstimulation creates overwhelm rather than regulation
- Shame-based approaches backfire because they add emotional dysregulation on top of existing challenges
How Music Creates Calm for ADHD
Music provides the right kind of stimulation because it’s structured but engaging, rhythmic but creative, and allows for both active participation and receptive listening.
When you work with therapists trained in music therapy treatment for ADHD, they use specific tempos, instruments, and rhythmic patterns that your nervous system responds to. This is not generic relaxation music, but therapeutic music designed for your unique brain and ADHD presentation.
What Type of Music Calms ADHD?
This varies significantly by individual. Some people with ADHD find calm in upbeat, rhythmic music with a clear beat that matches their internal energy level. Others prefer instrumental music that provides structure without lyrical distraction.
Music Characteristics That Often Help ADHD
- Clear, steady rhythm or beat provides neural anchoring without being monotonous.
- Moderate tempo allows the brain to follow without strain
- Instruments that provide sensory richness, like drums, strings, or wind instruments, engage multiple neural pathways
- Predictable structure means recognizable patterns and progressions
- Music without lyrics (or with meaningful lyrics), depending on need
Styles That Commonly Support ADHD Regulation
- Percussive-based music with drums and rhythm focus engages the auditory-motor systems.
- Ambient instrumental music with a clear structure provides engagement without cognitive load.
- Electronic music with steady beats can provide a clean rhythm without unnecessary complexity.
- World music with strong rhythmic elements offers both structure and cultural richness.
- Jazz improvisation that allows creative engagement can appeal to brains that need novelty within structure.
Why Individual Preference Matters
What calms one person’s ADHD might overwhelm another. This is why our music therapists work with you individually to:
- Assess what your nervous system responds to
- Explore your preferences and aversions
- Build playlists tailored to your unique needs
- Adjust based on your changing regulation needs
Many clients discover through music therapy counseling that their preferences shift depending on the time of day, energy level, or what they’re trying to accomplish.
Is Music Therapy Scientifically Proven?
Yes. Music therapy for ADHD is research-supported and evidence-based. Decades of neuroscience research demonstrate that music affects brain function, nervous system regulation, and emotional processing in measurable ways.
Key Research Findings
- Rhythm synchronizes brain activity across multiple regions simultaneously
- Music activates dopamine release, supporting motivation and attention
- Melodic patterns support memory and learning retention
- Harmonic structures regulate emotional processing in the limbic system
- Active music-making strengthens executive function networks
Evidence Specifically for ADHD
Research on music therapy and ADHD shows:
- Improved attention span during and after rhythmic interventions
- Reduced hyperactivity when engaging with structured music activities
- Better impulse control following drumming-based therapy
- Enhanced emotional regulation through melodic expression
- Increased motivation and task completion when paired with music
How Music Therapy Research Is Conducted
- Neuroimaging studies (fMRI, EEG) document brain changes during music therapy
- Behavioral assessments measure improvements in ADHD symptoms before and after treatment
- Longitudinal studies track sustained benefits over time
- Comparative studies show music therapy’s effectiveness alongside other treatments
Why More Research Continues
While existing evidence is strong, researchers continue exploring optimal interventions for different ADHD presentations, age groups, and co-occurring conditions. This ongoing work helps music therapists refine approaches for maximum effectiveness.
When Should Music Therapy Be Used?
Music therapy for ADHD works best when integrated thoughtfully into your overall support system.
Ideal Times to Begin Music Therapy
- When traditional talk therapy isn’t reaching the emotional or nervous system components of ADHD
- When you need support beyond medication alone
- When restlessness and hyperactivity interfere with other therapeutic approaches
- When emotional regulation challenges affect daily functioning
- When building confidence and self-worth feels important alongside symptom management
Music Therapy Across the Lifespan
For Children (Ages 4-12)
Young children with ADHD benefit from music therapy’s playful, engaging approach. Child therapy using music helps develop:
- Early emotional regulation skills
- Impulse control through music/ rhythm games
- Social skills in group music activities
- Confidence through creative expression and success
For Teens (Ages 13-18)
Adolescents often connect with music therapy when talk therapy feels too direct. Teen therapy through music supports:
- Identity exploration through songwriting
- Peer connection in group settings
- Emotional expression when words feel impossible
- Stress management during academic pressure
For Adults
Adults with ADHD use music therapy to:
- Develop sustainable self-regulation strategies
- Foster emotional exploration and expression
- Build structure and routine support
- Complement existing treatments effectively
When to Combine with Other Approaches
Music therapy often works best alongside other treatments. Many people combine it with:
- Individual therapy for deeper processing and talk-based support
- Medication management for neurotransmitter support
- Anxiety therapy when anxiety co-occurs with ADHD
Our 12-week EMDR and Somatic IFS program for trauma processing
Can I Do Music Therapy at Home?
While some music-based activities can support ADHD at home, clinical music therapy requires training and expertise that goes beyond listening to playlists or playing instruments casually.
What You Can Do at Home
- Create structured playlists for different regulation needs (focus, calm, energy)
- Use rhythm-based activities like drumming or dancing to channel restlessness
- Engage with music during transitions to support emotional shifts
- Practice breathing exercises paired with rhythmic patterns
- Explore songwriting or improvisation as emotional expression
What Requires a Trained Music Therapist
Board-certified music therapists provide interventions you cannot replicate at home:
- Assessment of your unique neurological and emotional needs
- Personalized treatment planning based on ADHD presentation
- Real-time adjustment of tempo, rhythm, and activity based on nervous system response
- Integration of music therapy with other therapeutic approaches
- Clinical documentation and progress tracking
How to Maximize Home Practice
When working with a music therapist, they may assign home practice activities that extend session work. These might include:
- Specific playlists designed for your nervous system needs
- Rhythm exercises to practice between sessions
- Journaling prompts paired with music listening
- Movement activities that support regulation
Our therapists, trained in music therapy, guide what will actually help versus what might overwhelm or frustrate.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you’ve tried music-based activities at home and:
- Feel unsure what actually helps versus what makes ADHD symptoms worse
- Notice you need more structure and accountability
- Want to integrate music therapy with trauma work or deeper processing
- Struggle to sustain home practice without professional guidance
Clinical music therapy with a board-certified music therapist offers expertise that self-directed activities cannot provide.
Who Can Provide Music Therapy?
Only board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) who have completed rigorous training can provide clinical music therapy. This credential ensures the therapist has the specialized knowledge to work with ADHD effectively and safely.
What Board Certification Requires
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited music therapy program
- 1200+ hours of clinical training under supervision
- National board certification exam
- Ongoing continuing education to maintain credentials
- Understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and therapeutic techniques
Why Credentials Matter for ADHD
Working with ADHD requires specialized knowledge about:
- How rhythm affects executive function networks
- What tempo and musical elements support versus dysregulate the ADHD nervous system
- How to adapt interventions in real-time based on attention and energy shifts
- How to integrate music therapy with other ADHD treatments
- How to address co-occurring conditions like anxiety, trauma, or depression
What Makes ICT’s Therapists Qualified
Our team includes:
- Board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) with extensive ADHD experience
- Training in trauma-informed care and neurodivergent-affirming approaches
- Experience working with children, teens, and adults with ADHD
- Integration of creative arts therapy, EMDR, and somatic approaches
You can learn more about our team’s specific training and experience on our team page.
How to Verify a Music Therapist’s Credentials
When seeking music therapy for ADHD, verify:
- Board certification (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists
- State licensure is required in your location
- Experience specifically with ADHD populations
- Training in trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming care
How Is Music Therapy Different from ABA?
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and music therapy are both evidence-based approaches, but they’re fundamentally different in philosophy, methods, and goals.
How ABA Works
ABA focuses on behavior change through reward and consequence systems. It’s based on the principle that behavior can be shaped through reinforcement.
- Targets specific behaviors to increase or decrease
- Uses data collection and measurement
- Provides structured rewards for desired behaviors
- Often involves many hours per week of intensive practice
- Creates external structure and accountability
ABA is particularly effective for children with autism and has strong research for specific behavioral goals.
How Music Therapy Works
Music therapy engages the nervous system, emotional processing, and creative expression. Rather than shaping behavior through external reward, it helps your brain regulate more effectively from the inside out.
- Addresses underlying regulation and processing
- Engages multiple areas in the brain simultaneously
- Works with internal motivation and intrinsic reward
- Focuses on emotional awareness and expression
- Supports self-understanding and authentic growth
Key Differences for ADHD
For ADHD specifically:
ABA provides:
- Structure and behavioral strategies
- Specific behavioral targets and measurable goals
Music therapy provides:
- Nervous system regulation support
- Emotional and relational healing
- Internal motivation and engagement
Many people benefit from both. ABA can help with organizational structure and behavioral goals. Music therapy can help with the underlying nervous system dysregulation that makes those behaviors hard in the first place.
Choosing Between Them (Or Using Both)
The choice depends on:
- What you’re trying to address (behavior vs regulation vs emotional understanding)
- Your child’s or your own responsiveness to external structure vs internal engagement
- Available resources and time
- What gaps are you noticing in other treatments
At Integrative Creative Therapy, we focus on the internal, emotional, and nervous system aspects of ADHD. Music therapy for ADHD complements behavioral approaches beautifully. Many of our clients use both.
What Kind of Music Is Used in Music Therapy?
Music therapy uses a wide range of musical styles, instruments, and activities depending on your unique needs and preferences. There’s no single “music therapy sound.”
Types of Music Used
- Live music created in the moment between therapist and client
- Pre-recorded music selected for specific therapeutic goals
- Client-preferred music that holds personal meaning
- Culturally specific music that honors your background
- Improvised music that allows spontaneous expression
Common Instruments in Music Therapy
- Drums and percussion for rhythm work and energy regulation
- Piano, keyboard, and Guitar for improvisation, song writing, or accompaniment
- Wind instruments for autonomic nervous system regulation
- Voice and singing for emotional expression
- Body percussion for grounding and self expression
- Xylophones and bells for motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- Technology-based instruments for teens and adults
How Therapists Choose What to Use
Board-certified music therapists select music and instruments based on:
- Your nervous system’s current state (dysregulated, focused, calm)
- Your musical preferences and aversions
- Your treatment goals (regulation, expression, connection)
- Your physical abilities and sensory needs
- Cultural considerations and personal background
Active vs. Passive Music Therapy
Active music therapy involves creating music:
- Playing instruments
- Singing or vocalizing
- Improvising/ Co-creating music
- Songwriting and composition
- Movement to music
Receptive music therapy involves listening:
- Guided music listening for specific emotional goals
- Music-assisted relaxation
- Lyric analysis and discussion
- Music and imagery work
Both approaches are valuable. Your music therapist will use what works best for your ADHD presentation and current needs.
Why Musical Skill Doesn’t Matter
You don’t need musical training or talent to benefit from music therapy. The goal isn’t performance or perfection. It’s regulation, expression, and connection.
What Are the 4 Types of Music Therapy Interventions?
Music therapy uses four main categories of interventions, each serving different therapeutic purposes for ADHD.
1. Receptive Music Therapy
Receptive interventions involve listening to music with specific therapeutic goals.
For ADHD, this might include:
- Music-assisted relaxation to calm an overstimulated nervous system
- Guided imagery with music to develop focus and visualization skills
- Song discussion to process emotions and experiences
- Music and movement to channel physical restlessness
2. Improvisational Music Therapy
Improvisation involves creating music spontaneously in the moment.
For ADHD, this supports:
- Emotional expression when words feel impossible
- Developing flexible thinking and adaptability
- Building confidence through creative risk-taking
- Practicing impulse control in a safe, creative context
3. Re-creative Music Therapy
Re-creative interventions involve learning and performing existing music.
For ADHD, this develops:
- Sustained attention through structured practice
- Working memory by learning songs and rhythms
- Delayed gratification as skills build over time
- Confidence through mastery and achievement
4. Compositional Music Therapy
Compositional work involves creating original music, such as songwriting.
For ADHD, this cultivates:
- Organization and planning skills
- Self-awareness through lyric writing
- Identity exploration and personal narrative
- Motivation through intrinsic creative goals
How Therapists Combine Approaches
Board-certified music therapists don’t use just one intervention type. In a single session, you might:
- Begin with receptive listening to support nervous system regulation
- Move into improvisation for emotional expression
- Practice a learned rhythm pattern (re-creative)
- End with songwriting work (compositional)
Your therapist adjusts interventions based on your energy, attention, and emotional state in real-time.
What Is EMDR Music Therapy?
EMDR music therapy combines Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with music therapy techniques for trauma processing, particularly when trauma underlies or worsens ADHD symptoms.
How EMDR Works
EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories that remain stuck in the nervous system.
- Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound)
- Helps memories move from fragmented to integrated
- Reduces emotional charge around traumatic experiences
- Supports nervous system regulation during trauma work
How Music Therapy Enhances EMDR
Music therapy adds:
- Auditory bilateral stimulation through alternating sounds in headphones
- Rhythmic patterns that support nervous system regulation
- Creative expression before, during, or after EMDR processing
- Emotional grounding through familiar music or improvisation
- Somatic awareness through music and movement
- Drumming engages bilateral stimulation
Why This Matters for ADHD
Many people with ADHD have trauma histories that worsen symptoms:
- Childhood experiences of criticism or failure related to ADHD behaviors
- School trauma from feeling different or struggling academically
- Relational trauma from misunderstanding or rejection
- Medical trauma from diagnostic processes or medication trials
When trauma and ADHD intersect, addressing both creates more complete healing. Our 12-week EMDR and Somatic IFS program integrates these approaches for big, lasting change.
What EMDR Music Therapy Looks Like
Sessions might include:
- Music-assisted resourcing before trauma processing begins
- Bilateral auditory stimulation during EMDR phases
- Improvisational music-making to process what emerges
- Somatic grounding through rhythm and movement
- Integration work through songwriting or reflection
Who Provides EMDR Music Therapy
This specialized work requires training in both EMDR and music therapy. At ICT, our therapists hold credentials in both areas and have extensive experience working with trauma and ADHD together.
How Do I Find a Music Therapy Therapist Near Me in Austin?
Finding the right music therapist for ADHD involves more than just location. You want someone with specialized training, ADHD experience, and an approach that matches your needs.
What to Look For
Essential credentials:
- Board certification in music therapy (MT-BC)
- State licensure, if required
- ADHD-specific training and experience
- Trauma-informed care training
Approach considerations:
- Neurodivergent-affirming philosophy
- Integration with other therapies (EMDR, IFS, somatic work)
- Experience with your age group (child, teen, adult)
- Cultural competence and sensitivity
How to Verify Qualifications
- Check the Certification Board for Music Therapists database
- Review therapist websites for credentials and specialties
- Ask about specific ADHD training during consultations
- Request information about their therapeutic approach
Why Choose Integrative Creative Therapy
Located in Austin, TX, our practice offers:
- Board-certified music therapists with extensive ADHD experience
- Trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming care
- Integration of music therapy with EMDR, IFS, and somatic approaches
- Services for children, teens, and adults
- Individual therapy, group therapy, and specialized programs
Serving Austin and Beyond
While our office is in Austin, we also provide:
- Online services throughout Texas and New York
- Flexible scheduling for different needs and schedules
- Culturally responsive care for diverse communities
How to Get Started
Ready to explore music therapy for ADHD?
Contact us:
- Phone: (737) 307-1853
- Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs
- Learn more about our approach and therapists
We look forward to supporting you or your loved one with compassionate, effective music therapy that honors your unique ADHD experience.
Music therapy for ADHD isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping your brain and body work with the unique wiring you have, discovering strengths you didn’t know existed, and finally feeling understood.
If you’re tired of approaches that don’t reach the nervous system level, where ADHD actually lives, we’re here to help.