Building Connection: Launching a Peer Support Circle for Music Therapists in Private Practice

As a music therapist in private practice, I sometimes feel a little lonely in my field. While I deeply value my work with clients, the reality is that private practice can mean spending a lot of time thinking, planning, and problem-solving on my own.

Because of the nature of my business and work, I often find myself in isolation—thinking of creative music therapy interventions for sessions, brainstorming appropriate marketing strategies, and wondering if I’m the only music therapist feeling a certain way in certain moments with clients.

Especially now that I’ve left my contractor position, I’ve noticed a deep craving for connection with peers—people who understand both the joy and the unique challenges of being a music therapist.

Why Community Matters for Music Therapists

There are so many benefits to having a community of people from your own field:

• Sharing ideas for interventions and approaches

• Feeling less isolated in your work

• Receiving validation for struggles we all face

• Gaining fresh inspiration to keep going

• Improving clinical skills through discussion and feedback

That kind of support system isn’t just a “nice to have”—it can be crucial in helping you grow as a therapist, avoid burnout, and stay motivated to continue the meaningful, often emotionally demanding work that music therapy requires.

In fact, across the profession, I think we are seeking community now more than ever.

Planting the Seed: The Peer Support Circle

These thoughts led me to ask myself: What would it look like to intentionally create a space just for music therapists to connect?

I decided to start where I already have a voice—my Instagram music therapy platform. I posted a poll to assess the interest in a music therapist peer support circle—a dedicated space for music therapists to meet, share ideas, and encourage one another.

Around ten colleagues responded saying they would value and attend a peer support video call. That was all the encouragement I needed to take the next step.

Launching the First Group

So that’s exactly what I’m doing! Using my Instagram to connect with other music therapists who might feel similarly, I’m launching a peer support circle for music therapists.

The idea is simple:

• A virtual meeting where we can check in, share, and support each other
  

• A safe, confidential space for clinical discussions and personal reflections
  

• A place to celebrate wins, troubleshoot challenges, and feel less alone in this work

If the first group feels helpful, I’d love to continue meeting at a regular frequency—maybe monthly or quarterly—so that this becomes an ongoing part of our professional lives.

An Invitation

If you are a practicing music therapist in private practice, schools, or any clinical setting, and you’ve been wishing for more connection, I’d love for you to join us.

I believe that when we take care of each other as professionals, we take better care of our clients. My hope is that this peer support circle will be a small but powerful way to build community in our field.

You can follow along and sign up for updates on my Instagram @arohamusictherapy or through my website’s contact form.