Kaelin McClure, Music Therapy Intern

Experience

Kaelin is a Music Therapy Intern in the process of completing her 1200 clinical hours required before completing national board certification. She has worked with a variety of populations throughout her educational experience, including:

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•  High School Students in special education with histories of trauma, focusing on social engagement, self-esteem, coping strategies, and mood regulation using a mental health focus and trauma-informed care.  

• Neurodiverse Children and Adolescents- focusing in various areas of need including social skills, emotional regulation/identification, building confidence and self-esteem, cognitive and physical needs.

• Dementia Care Residents- focusing on activities of daily living and quality of life.

•  Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease- co-treating with a physical therapist to help support the movement and safety needs for activities of daily living.

• Previously Incarcerated Adults- focusing on coping strategies for anxiety and depression using trauma-informed care.

Expertise

Kaelin is an accomplished musician and has been creating music for over 25 years. Kaelin is the mother of multiple children that are neurodiverse and has spent extensive time collaborating with therapists and advocating for services that support her children’s strengths and needs. She approaches each session with a client centered, humanistic approach that empowers clients to collaborate and direct therapeutic areas of focus. She encourages opportunities for choice and autonomy throughout each session and follows the client’s lead. She has a neurological and trauma-informed background and is dedicated to creating a safe environment to help facilitate learning and growth. Her goal as a therapist is to provide support and resources to clients to help them achieve their goals to enhance and improve their quality of life. Kaelin is especially passionate about supporting clients with mental health needs and working with adolescents.

Why I Became A Music Therapist

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Kaelin found herself at a point in life where all her children were going to be in school during the day and she could dream again about what to do with her time. Music had always been a passion for her and once she learned about the profession, she knew it was the path she wanted to pursue.  She had her own mental health struggles and turned to music to help her cope and regulate. She noticed how she used music to connect to her own Autistic son and could see the positive impact music made in her life. She knew she wanted to share the power of music with others to help support them, so she embarked on a journey to start a new career that she was passionate about.

Education

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Kaelin is currently a graduate student in Music Therapy at Colorado State University and is expected to graduate in May 2024. She continues to add to her music skills by learning guitar, ukulele, autoharp, and percussion. She received a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University in 2007. Kaelin considers herself a life-long learner and enrolled in continued education conferences to increase her knowledge and understanding so she can better support clients. She recently completed Psychological First Aid Training.

Bio

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Kaelin moved to Colorado with her family in 2018, from the Seattle Metro area and after almost 5 years has finally adjusted to the sun instead of the rain. Kaelin’s love for music started at an early age, constantly singing everywhere she went and taking piano lessons from her mother starting in elementary school. In high school she competed in various group and individual vocal competitions. Music has always been a significant part of her life that brings her joy and purpose. She spent numerous years working in corporate human resources for a pet hospital, recruiting staff, onboarding veterinarians, and strengthening her love for pets. She took a 10-year break from her job to raise her family before returning to school to pursue a music therapy degree.