When I first opened this website, traumastrummer.com, I did it as an illustration of what is possible when we find the right tools for healing. For a long time, I was looking for an outlet—a creative way to process the experiences that come with service. I found that outlet through Freedom Sings USA.
Freedom Sings USA is a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans and first responders find emotional balance by telling their stories through songwriting. But this isn't just about "writing a tune." There is a profound scientific method behind why this works, especially for those of us who have spent our lives in high-stress, "Type A" environments like the military or first responder services.
The Science: Moving from the Amygdala to the Prefrontal Cortex
In the world of trauma and PTSD, we often talk about being "stuck." Scientifically, this happens in the amygdala—the emotional, "fight-or-flight" center of the brain. When trauma occurs, emotions can get caught in a loop here, leaving us hyper-vigilant and reactive.
The "Art and Science" of music therapy is about breaking that loop. When we engage in songwriting, instrument playing, or even painting and sculpting, we aren't just "relaxing." We are performing a complex neurological shift.
By forcing ourselves to organize a chaotic emotion into a structured song or a piece of art, we engage the prefrontal cortex—the logical, executive part of the brain. This process literally moves the "stuck" emotion out of the reactive amygdala and into the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and executive function. We regain control. We regain ourselves.
Why Creative Arts Therapy Works for Us
The VA and organizations like Freedom Sings USA have recognized that for many veterans, traditional "talk therapy" isn't enough. Sometimes, the words aren't there yet. That’s where the arts come in:
Songwriting: It teaches us to articulate emotions we couldn't previously name.
Instrumental Play: It builds new neural pathways and improves motor function.
Community: Being around other artists and songwriters who "get it" is a therapeutic process in itself.
My Journey with Freedom Sings USA
Freedom Sings USA didn't just give me a hobby; they taught me the music business and the craft of songwriting. They provided a safe, creative community where my story could be heard without judgment. My music is a direct result of their work, and this website is my way of paying that forward.
What’s Next?
I will be regularly posting updates here and on my LinkedIn page regarding music arts therapy, my personal lessons in learning instruments, and the science of music as medicine.
If you are a veteran, a first responder, or someone who believes in the power of the arts to heal mental health disorders, I invite you to follow along. We are proving every day that while the wounds of service are real, the tools to heal them are within our reach.
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Check back here for new music and insights into the healing power of the arts.
Music isn't just entertainment. It is medicine.