Therapy by Alice 
For Veterans: Why Chronic Pain Often Doesn’t Respond to Standard Care
Posted on April 24, 2026 Leave a Comment
Many veterans I work with have tried everything:
- physical therapy
- chiropractic care
- medications
- massage
And yet, the pain remains.
Often, this is because the issue isn’t just structural.
It’s tied to how the nervous system has adapted over time.
You may notice:
- your body stays tense even when you’re not in pain
- certain areas never fully release
- sleep and recovery are affected
This is where a different approach is needed.
My work focuses on:
- helping the body release long-held patterns
- working with the system, not against it
- creating changes that hold longer over time
If standard care hasn’t worked, it doesn’t mean nothing will.
It just means the approach may need to change.
If you are a veteran in the Fort Hood community and have community care benefits please talk to your provider about seeing if you qualify for massage therapy. I am a provider for Tri-West community care and you may qualify for massage therapy free of charge.
What I Actually Do—and Why It’s Different
Posted on April 22, 2026 Leave a Comment
There are a lot of ways to describe what I do.
I could say:
- massage therapy
- music therapy
- stress relief
And all of that would be technically true.
But it wouldn’t be accurate.
This Isn’t About Relaxation
Most people who come to me have already tried the usual approaches.
They’ve had:
- massages that helped… for a day or two
- treatments that addressed the structure, but not the pattern
- advice to “just relax,” even when their body clearly won’t
If that’s been your experience, you’re not doing anything wrong.
Your body may still be holding something your system hasn’t been able to release.
What I Actually Do
I work with people whose bodies are carrying long-term tension patterns—especially when those patterns are tied to the nervous system.
That often looks like:
- chronic upper back and neck pain
- tension that keeps coming back no matter what you do
- a system that won’t “turn off,” even when you want it to
My work combines:
- targeted, problem-solving bodywork
- music-based regulation techniques
- careful observation of how your body responds and adapts
This isn’t about chasing symptoms.
It’s about helping your system shift.
Why This Approach Works (and why it’s different)
Seth Godin talks about something called being “remarkable” in his book Purple Cow.
It doesn’t mean flashy.
It means worth noticing because it’s different in a meaningful way.
In a field full of:
- relaxation massage
- general stress relief
- one-size-fits-all approaches
what I do is more specific.
I’m not trying to be everything to everyone.
The Right Fit Matters
In This Is Marketing, there’s a core idea:
The goal is not to reach everyone. It’s to help the right people.
So here’s who this work is actually for:
- Veterans dealing with chronic pain and tension
- People whose symptoms haven’t improved with standard care
- Individuals who feel like their body is “stuck” in patterns they can’t change
And just as importantly, here’s who it’s not for:
- someone looking for a simple relaxation massage
- someone who wants a quick, temporary fix
What You Can Expect
This work is a process.
During a session, we’re not just trying to make you feel better for an hour.
We’re working toward helping your body respond differently over time.
You may notice:
- areas that don’t respond the way you expect at first
- patterns that start to shift gradually
- changes that hold longer between sessions
That’s the goal.
Why I Talk About This Openly
Another idea from Permission Marketing is that people should understand what you do before they ever walk in the door.
Not through pressure.
Through clarity.
When you know:
- how I work
- what I focus on
- and whether it fits what you need
you can make a decision that actually serves you.
The Bottom Line
I don’t just offer sessions.
I help people work through what their body and nervous system are holding—so that change isn’t temporary.
If that’s what you’ve been looking for, this may be the right place to start.
Music Therapy for Children and Adults with Special Needs: Meeting the Nervous System Where It Is
Posted on April 20, 2026 Leave a Comment
Music therapy is already a part of my daily work with children and adults who have a wide range of physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges.
This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
It is highly individualized work that meets each person exactly where they are—especially when traditional methods don’t fully connect.
What I See in Sessions
Many of the individuals I work with have difficulty with one or more of the following:
- Communication
- Emotional regulation
- Sensory processing
- Motor coordination
- Attention and focus
In many cases, they are already working very hard just to function in a world that doesn’t always match how their nervous system operates.
Music therapy gives them a different entry point.
Instead of asking them to adapt first, we use music to meet their system—and then gently build from there.
Why Music Therapy Works So Well in Special Needs Populations
Music engages multiple areas of the brain at the same time.
It connects:
- Movement
- Emotion
- Memory
- Attention
- Sensory input
That combination makes it especially effective for individuals who struggle with traditional learning or communication methods.
For example:
- A child who is nonverbal may still be able to sing or vocalize
- A person with limited attention may stay engaged through rhythm
- Someone with motor challenges may respond more easily to beat-based movement
Music creates structure without pressure.
How I Work with Children and Adults
Sessions are built around what each individual can do—not what they can’t.
We might use:
- Rhythm exercises to support coordination and focus
- Singing to encourage communication and breath control
- Instrument play to develop motor skills
- Repetition and structure to create predictability and safety
The goal is not performance.
The goal is function, regulation, and connection.
Supporting Children in Special Education
Music therapy can be especially helpful for children involved in special education services.
It can support goals such as:
- Improving communication (verbal or nonverbal)
- Increasing attention and task completion
- Supporting emotional regulation in the classroom
- Developing social interaction skills
- Strengthening motor planning and coordination
Because music is engaging and predictable, it often helps children participate more fully than they would in a traditional setting.
It can also be adapted to align with IEP goals and classroom needs.
What Makes This Approach Different
A lot of therapy models focus on correcting behavior from the outside.
My approach focuses on what the nervous system is doing underneath.
When the system is overwhelmed, distracted, or shut down, pushing harder doesn’t help.
But when the nervous system is supported and regulated:
- Attention improves
- Communication becomes easier
- Behavior becomes more organized
Music gives us a direct way to create those changes.
Real-World Impact
Over time, this work can lead to:
- Increased engagement
- Better emotional control
- Improved ability to follow directions
- Greater confidence in communication
- More consistent participation in daily activities
These changes don’t come from forcing skills.
They come from building a system that can support those skills.
The Bottom Line
Music therapy creates a bridge.
It connects where someone is now to where they have the potential to go—without forcing them into a method that doesn’t fit.
Whether working with children in special education or adults with developmental or physical challenges, the goal is the same:
Help the body and nervous system organize, regulate, and function more effectively.
That’s where real progress starts.
Music Therapy: Helping You Work Through What Your Body and Nervous System Are Holding
Posted on April 16, 2026 Leave a Comment
Most people think music therapy is about relaxing music or background sound.
It’s not.
Music therapy is a way to work directly with what your body and nervous system are holding—especially the things that don’t come out easily in words.
What Music Therapy Actually Is
Music therapy is a clinical, evidence-based approach that uses music intentionally to support the body, the mind, and the nervous system.
You don’t need to be musical.
You don’t need experience.
You don’t need to “perform.”
You just need a starting point.
Sessions are built around what your system needs that day, using things like:
- Rhythm to regulate and ground
- Voice to release and express
- Familiar songs to access memory and emotion
- Simple instruments to engage the body
This is not passive listening.
This is targeted, responsive work.
Why Music Works When Other Things Don’t
There are times when talking doesn’t get to the root of the problem.
That’s because a lot of what we carry isn’t stored in words—it’s stored in the body.
Music bypasses the part of the brain that tries to explain everything and goes straight to the nervous system.
- Rhythm can steady breathing and heart rate
- Repetition can create a sense of safety
- Melody can shift emotional state
- Vibration can be felt physically, not just heard
It gives your system a way to process without forcing it.
What It Helps With
Music therapy is especially effective when something feels stuck, overwhelming, or hard to access.
It can help with:
Nervous system overload
- Chronic stress
- Anxiety
- Feeling constantly “on edge”
Emotional backlog
- Grief
- Trauma
- Life transitions
Physical tension and pain
- Chronic tightness
- Pain patterns that don’t fully resolve
Cognitive and neurological challenges
- Brain injury
- Memory issues
- Focus and processing
Disconnection
- Feeling numb
- Feeling shut down
- Not being able to put things into words
Who This Is For
This work is especially useful for people who:
- Feel like their body is holding more than they can explain
- Have tried talking and still feel stuck
- Want a more direct way to regulate their system
- Need something practical, not abstract
It’s also highly effective for:
- Veterans working through trauma and nervous system dysregulation
- Individuals dealing with chronic stress or pain
- Anyone who needs a different entry point than conversation alone
What a Session Looks Like
Sessions are structured, but flexible.
A typical session includes:
- A quick check-in (what your body is doing, not just what you think)
- Targeted music work based on that
- Noticing what shifts—physically and emotionally
- Ending in a more regulated, grounded state
There’s no pressure to do anything “right.”
The focus is on what your system does—not how it looks.
Why Combine Music Therapy with Bodywork
This is where things start to connect.
Music therapy works through the nervous system.
Bodywork works through the tissues.
When you combine them:
- Music helps the system open
- Bodywork helps the body release
- The nervous system learns a new pattern
Instead of just managing symptoms, you start changing how your system responds.
The Bottom Line
Music therapy is not about entertainment.
It’s about giving your body a way to process, regulate, and shift—especially in the places where words fall short.
If you feel like your system is carrying more than it should, this work is designed to help you move through it.
If your back hurts it’s your butt’s fault
Posted on April 7, 2026 Leave a Comment
Sadly we lost Erik just over a year ago, but I’m so grateful his work lives on. I love this techniques. Come see me in Gatesville and I will work on you. I’m next to the High School, on Lovers Lane
Small plug for a friend
Posted on March 31, 2026 Leave a Comment
One of my friends is putting on her first NATRC competition in Glen Rose, TX which is kind of the dinosaur capital of Texas. Since putting on a competition is expensive she has proactively made up a t-shirt to sell as a fund raiser. Even if you can’t make the ride, aren’t interested in horses or can’t make it to Texas take a minute to look at the short link. They are super cute and they can be shipped right to you.
To make this massage related I am up and running in the new office at 105B South Lovers Lane, Gatesville, TX 76528. Below is the link to book a massage online or text or call me at (817) 456-3048
One thing I do at Therapy by Alice is work with veterans in the community care program. You can get a referral from the community care network and your provider if you qualify.
I also work with children and adults in music therapy. I’ll do a more comprehensive post about music therapy in another post
New Digs
Posted on March 10, 2026 Leave a Comment
I will be moving into 105b South Lovers Lane and open for business on April 1, 2026. I’m taking the space previously occupied by massage therapist Shandi Meredith, who is moving away. I’m hoping that her clients will continue to come to me for massages once I’m ready to go. I’m already accepting bookings for the upcoming weeks and I’m pretty excited about the prospect of getting started.
I am in the community care network for the VA and saw my first Vet today. Now I have to figure out how to file the visit for payment, which I’m learning is a bit tricky.
Changes are Coming
Posted on December 12, 2025 Leave a Comment
Over the past several years, my work has continued to grow and evolve. As I’ve listened more closely to my clients, my own nervous system, and the work that feels most sustainable and meaningful, I’ve made some thoughtful changes to how Therapy by Alice is structured and offered.
Therapy by Alice now clearly includes three focused areas of care:
massage therapy, interactive music therapy, and equine myofascial bodywork. While these services may look different on the surface, they are all grounded in the same philosophy—trauma-informed, non-force work that supports regulation, resilience, and meaningful change.
My massage therapy practice is now centered on therapeutic, problem-oriented bodywork for adults and veterans who want to work through physical tension, pain, or emotional patterns held in the body. I no longer offer spa-style or relaxation-only massage. This shift allows me to provide more focused, engaged care for clients seeking deeper, intentional work.
My music therapy services continue to focus on interactive, relational music-making for children and adults with developmental disabilities. This work emphasizes engagement, co-regulation, communication, and connection through shared musical experiences.
I am also expanding my equine myofascial and nervous-system bodywork, offering non-force, trauma-informed care for horses impacted by stress, tension, or trauma. When appropriate, I offer gentle conversation and awareness for the human partner, recognizing that horses and humans often influence one another’s nervous systems.
At this time, Therapy by Alice is based in Gatesville, Texas, offering services through mobile, barn-based, and professional office settings as available. Availability and travel vary by service type.
These changes reflect a commitment to clarity, sustainability, and depth of care. They allow me to show up fully for the clients and animals I work with, while staying aligned with the values that have guided my work for many years.
If you have questions about whether my services are a good fit for you or your horse, I invite you to reach out. I’m always happy to have a conversation.
Thank you for being part of this next chapter of Therapy by Alice.
— Alice
New Services offered
Posted on November 11, 2025 Leave a Comment
🌿 Music & Massage Therapy with Alice – Serving Gatesville, Purmela & Beyond
Hi, I’m Alice—a dual-certified Music Therapist and Massage Therapist with years of experience supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those receiving hospice care. I’ve transitioned from a traditional office in Evant to a more personal in-home model, offering sessions at my home office in Purmela, TX, or traveling to yours.
🎵 Music Therapy
Music has the power to heal, connect, and comfort. My sessions often include:
- Exploring music from a client’s youth
- Singing, listening, and reminiscing
- Gentle companionship through sound
This approach is especially meaningful for homebound seniors and those living with dementia. Sessions typically last 30–60 minutes, tailored to each person’s needs.
💆 Massage Therapy
Massage can ease pain, improve circulation, and offer emotional relief. I specialize in:
- Seniors and homebound individuals
- Clients with physical or developmental disabilities (including CLASS program participants)
- Equine massage for horses, including cranial sacral and myofascial techniques
Discounts available for multiple horses at the same barn.
🏡 Where I Work
- My home office in Purmela
- Client homes across the Gatesville area
- Senior centers, activity centers, and nursing homes
- Even children’s birthday parties as a musical entertainer!
💬 Payment & Scheduling
Rates are flexible and based on:
- Session length
- Travel distance
- Family or client needs
Let’s talk about what works best for you.
Therapy by Alice 