Therapy by Alice 
Why You Should Try a Drum Circle in Gatesville
Posted on May 19, 2026 Leave a Comment
There’s something deeply human about rhythm.
Long before people had playlists, podcasts, or streaming music, they gathered together around drums, clapped their hands, and created rhythm as a community. Across cultures and throughout history, drumming has been used for healing, connection, celebration, prayer, stress relief, and emotional expression.
Today, drum circles are becoming popular again — not because people want to become musicians, but because they are looking for something they are missing: connection, grounding, stress relief, and a chance to simply be present.
At Therapy by Alice in Gatesville, drum circles are designed to be welcoming, supportive, and completely judgment-free. You do not need musical experience. You do not need rhythm skills. You do not even need to think of yourself as “musical.”
You simply show up.
What Happens in a Drum Circle?
A drum circle is a group experience where participants use drums and percussion instruments together in a relaxed and guided environment. Some moments are energetic and fun. Others are calming and meditative.
Participants may:
- Play simple rhythms together
- Follow guided rhythmic exercises
- Improvise freely
- Use rhythm for stress release
- Experience quiet grounding moments between drumming
- Connect socially without pressure or awkward conversation
The focus is not performance. There is no audience. There is no “right” way to participate.
The goal is the experience itself.
The Benefits of Drum Circles
Stress Reduction
Rhythmic drumming can help calm the nervous system and reduce stress. Many people report feeling lighter, calmer, and more centered afterward.
Research has shown that group drumming may help:
- Reduce anxiety
- Lower stress hormones
- Improve mood
- Promote relaxation
- Support emotional regulation
For people carrying chronic stress, caregiving fatigue, burnout, grief, or emotional overwhelm, rhythm can provide a safe outlet that does not rely entirely on words.
A Sense of Connection
Modern life can be isolating. Drum circles create community in a natural way.
Something powerful happens when a group locks into rhythm together. People often leave feeling:
- More connected
- Less alone
- More emotionally open
- More grounded in the present moment
Unlike many social activities, drum circles allow connection without pressure to “perform socially.” You can participate quietly or enthusiastically at your own comfort level.
Accessible for Almost Everyone
One of the best things about drumming is that nearly anyone can participate.
You do not need:
- Musical training
- Rhythm experience
- To read music
- To own a drum
People of many ages and abilities can enjoy drumming together because the focus is participation, not perfection.
Physical and Emotional Release
Rhythm engages both the body and mind. Drumming can help people reconnect with their physical selves in a healthy and grounding way.
Many participants notice:
- Improved focus
- Increased energy
- Emotional release
- Better mood
- A feeling of “resetting” mentally
For some people, drumming becomes a form of active meditation — a way to quiet racing thoughts and become fully present in the moment.
Why Attend a Drum Circle at Therapy by Alice?
At Therapy by Alice, the approach combines an understanding of both music therapy and the nervous system. The goal is not simply to “make noise” — it is to create an environment where people can relax, connect, express themselves, and experience the therapeutic power of rhythm.
Whether you are:
- Stressed and overwhelmed
- Looking for healthy social connection
- Curious about music therapy
- Interested in mindfulness and wellness
- Recovering from burnout
- Wanting a creative outlet
- Or simply looking for something different to try in Gatesville
…a drum circle can be a meaningful experience.
You do not need talent.
You do not need confidence.
You just need curiosity.
Sometimes healing begins with something as simple as sitting in a circle and finding a rhythm together.
Interested in Joining?
Therapy by Alice offers drum circles in Gatesville in a welcoming and supportive environment for adults, teens, veterans, caregivers, and community members interested in stress relief, connection, and wellness through rhythm and music.
If you’ve ever been curious about drumming, this is your invitation to try it.
Reply with interest and we will see about getting something scheduled.
Mother’s Day Special
Posted on April 28, 2026 Leave a Comment
🌸 Mother’s Day Special: Give Her the Gift of Real Relief
Mother’s Day is coming up, and if you’re like most people, you want to give something meaningful—not just another item that ends up on a shelf.
This year, give her something she’ll actually feel.
💆♀️ Mother’s Day Special
For a limited time, I’m offering:
✨ One-hour massage for $65 ✨
(Regularly $75)
🗓️ How it works
- The session must be booked before Mother’s Day
- The appointment itself can be scheduled any time after Mother’s Day
- This allows flexibility while still taking advantage of the special
👉 In other words:
Book now, come in when it works best
💚 Why this matters
Most moms are:
- carrying stress in their shoulders and neck
- running on empty
- taking care of everyone else
Massage isn’t just a luxury—it’s a way to help the body reset and release what it’s been holding onto.
This is especially important if she:
- struggles to relax
- deals with chronic tension
- feels like her body never fully unwinds
🎶 What makes this different
At Therapy by Alice, sessions are not one-size-fits-all.
I work with:
- the body
- the nervous system
- and, when appropriate, music therapy elements
The goal isn’t just temporary relaxation—it’s helping the body let go of deeper patterns of tension.
🎁 Perfect for:
- Mothers
- Wives
- Daughters
- Grandmothers
- Or any woman who could use a moment to breathe and reset
You can also book this as a gift—just schedule the session under her name or reach out and I can help you set that up.
📍 Location
Therapy by Alice
Gatesville, TX
📲 Book now
Spots are limited, and once Mother’s Day passes, this special is gone.
👉 Book your session today and secure the $65 rate
If you’ve been thinking about trying a session—or want to give a gift that truly helps—this is a great time to do it.
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
Therapy by Alice 