“Sonic Connections” is an arts-based mental wellness program that equips students with life and leadership skills to thrive in the face of challenges. Through immersive music and positive psychology, we help folks get unstuck and moving towards meaningful college experiences.
Students are facing record levels of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and burnout, all while being met with cultural messages to minimize these negative experiences above all else. The thing is…
Cultivating well-being isn’t about avoiding the hard stuff.
Attempting to eliminate or “fix” mental health issues and emotional challenges often exacerbates these problems, leading to long wait lists for resources. Ultimately, students who can learn to skillfully navigate and integrate the ups and downs of academia are more likely to thrive in their pursuits 1.
Instead of fixating on symptoms of mental distress, we draw from evidence-based psychology* to help students live fully and vitally amidst the inevitable pressures of college life.
Our program stands apart from traditional mental health programming in two main ways…
We leverage music as an immersive tool for skill-building, making the discussion about personal wellness and mental health accessible, engaging, and stigma-free.
At the heart of Sonic Connections are two fundamental principles that synergize with music to bring about a transformative experience for student mental health:
The program is led by our team of expert facilitators and supports students through two key touchpoints: a live kick-off event followed by ongoing support.
Schools select a wellness topic related to college life, such as stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, social relationships, etc. Then, on a day and time of your choosing, we’ll lead an immersive ~90-minute workshop (in-person or hybrid/virtual), guiding participants through a live series of music-centric activities that build psychological skills to enhance mental wellness, flexibility, and resilience.
Mental health isn’t a destination, and no program should ever claim to be a quick fix. Our partners have peace of mind knowing that a collaboration with us is more than a one-off event: All workshop participants are invited to become members of our private virtual community that provides ongoing mentorship coaching and training sessions and a myriad of other resources at the intersection of art and mental health. Sonic Connections is not just a workshop, but a sustained journey of learning and empowerment for the entirety of a students’ college experience and beyond.
For additional details about Sonic Connections, please see our FAQ below.
Thank you, Andrew and Beth! What an amazing experience for students to connect on a deeper level through music—the students were engaged and loved the experiential workshop! The music selected had such a provoking, soothing, and calming effect and gave students the opportunity to just let go of their inhibitions. I cannot say enough good things about the music workshop! You all have a way of captivating and engaging students, and we were tickled pink to be a part of this workshop and are looking forward to future events. Thank you!
We’re proud to have worked alongside some of the most inspiring schools and organizers.
We are a seasoned team of artist-facilitators with over a decade’s experience hosting mental health workshops tailored to college students. We are grounded in cultural humility and committed to building inclusive environments that honor diverse identities and empower everyone to participate in the conversation around mental well-being.
Andrew is a musician, arts administrator, and certified peer support specialist. He leverages his 15+ years of business experience in the field of social impact and mental health to help organizations create change through art.
Beth is a licensed clinical social worker, professional musician, and facilitator, using music to create moments of joy and healing. She consults on initiatives at the intersection of mental wellness and social justice.
Let’s embark on an extraordinary musical journey of self-discovery, connection, and personal growth.
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Dearest Andrew and Beth, THANK YOU both so much for the amazing event last night! It was so meaningful and people were touched by this presentation! I really can’t wait to bring you guys back! I truly enjoyed the entire event and applaud your amazing company and work! You guys are amazing and killing it all over the place! 😊 Best blessings to you as you impact other campuses and please know that you have friends at Creighton University! Keep in touch!
Why is music incorporated into the workshop?
Art, in general, serves as a dynamic bridge, connecting our emotions, thoughts, and actions. It’s a universal language that speaks to each of us personally, while simultaneously uniting us in shared experiences.
Music, in particular, has been well-documented to support emotional needs such as mood regulation and stress reduction. It aids in identity formation, social integration, relatedness, aesthetic appreciation, and personal empowerment. All of this plays an indispensable role in our “Sonic Connections” workshops.
Finally, music plays a key role in personal empowerment. It can inspire us, motivate us, and give us the courage to face our challenges. It can be a source of comfort and strength, reminding us of our resilience and capability. This active engagement is at the heart of our curriculum, as it drives participants to use music as a tool for better understanding themselves, their values, and their capacity for positive change.
What if I have no musical background or skills?
No problem at all! The curriculum is accessible to everyone, regardless of musical background or ability. “Sonic Connections” is designed to pull from the receptive side of music therapy—meaning we are mostly engaging in activities as we listen to music, rather than create it. We encourage active participation and open-minded exploration over performance. The aim is to use pre-recorded music as a catalyst and guide for facilitating personal growth, self-expression, and psychological flexibility.
Why the focus on ACT and "third wave" CBT in your workshops?
Our choice to focus on ACT and third-wave CBT stems from their emphasis on empowerment, self-awareness, and personal responsibility. These approaches recognize that all individuals encounter painful thoughts and feelings—it’s an inevitable part of being human. But rather than avoiding or suppressing these experiences, ACT and third-wave CBT empower individuals to confront them with courage and mindfulness.
Importantly, these therapies are largely experiential. They encourage individuals to actively engage with their inner thoughts and emotions, thereby transforming their relationships with their internal experiences. This focus aligns perfectly with our philosophy at Sonic Connections—we want participants not only to understand these concepts cognitively, but also to embody them in their everyday lives.
Furthermore, ACT and third-wave CBT promote self-driven change. They remind us that while external help is crucial, the most significant step towards transformation often comes from within. We all have the power to choose how we respond to our internal experiences, and it is this choice that fuels lasting change. Through our workshops, we aim to equip participants with the tools to harness this power and drive their own journey towards psychological flexibility and wellness.
What topics do you focus on in the workshop?
Our baseline program focuses broadly on developing mental health and psychological flexibility skills through mindfulness, values, and committed action. However, we often tailor our workshops to focus on specific well-being domains and topics according to the needs of the participants.
In the past, there have been certain well-being topics and categories that organizers found particularly relevant to their campus, and we have taken the initiative to delve into them. Depending on your needs, some examples we can explore include:
What is included in a workshop booking?
When you book a “Sonic Connections” workshop, here’s the exciting array of things included that you can anticipate:
In essence, a workshop booking is more than an event—it’s an all-inclusive, empowering journey towards psychological flexibility and personal growth. Embark on this exciting path with us!
Is this a one-time thing? How can students continue growth after the workshop?
Our goal is to help participants understand and embrace that they are always a work in progress, and committing to self-improvement is a lifelong journey. While our “Sonic Connections” program begins with a single 90-minute workshop, continued personal growth and well-being is the cornerstone of our mission. To that end, an engaging online community is being established, providing an ongoing array of resources and opportunities to deepen learning around psychological flexibility and encourage community interaction.
Participants will receive access to an extensive range of supportive well-being content including articles, videos, and exercises, all grounded in evidence-based practices for personal growth through artistic experiences. Students will eventually be able to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and support each other on their wellness journeys.
In addition, we are exploring developing additional exclusive benefits such as:
The “Sonic Connections” workshop is just the beginning; with the continued resources offered through the community, participants are supported on their journey towards greater well-being and human flourishing.
Is this program evidence-based?
Absolutely. Our workshop engages participants in activities firmly grounded in proven therapeutic methodologies. At its core, our program primarily derives from the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a highly effective approach with over four decades of practice and research backing it.
However, our program doesn’t stop there. We broaden our therapeutic scope by incorporating principles from the “third wave” Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT), such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Behavioral Activation (BA), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
ACT serves as the cornerstone of our methodology. This innovative therapy harmonizes acceptance and mindfulness techniques with commitment and behavior change strategies, all aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility. Over 1,000 randomized controlled trials to date have demonstrated the powerful efficacy of ACT. These studies show it to be a potent psychological intervention, often surpassing the therapeutic benefits of traditional CBT.
The curriculum is not only based on a wealth of empirical evidence, but also on a diverse set of powerful, proven therapeutic approaches. This combination ensures our participants benefit from a comprehensive and effective program.
What are your credentials? Is this considered therapy?
Our core team collectively has over a decade of experience coordinating and running mental health programs with higher education institutions. We are musicians, educators, and advocates within our communities, and have years of on-the-ground, grassroots experience leading discussions about mental well-being and mental illness.
It’s extremely important to note that this is not group therapy and our services focus on facilitation, coaching, and guidance. We work primarily with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are common to many people. More serious issues like suicidality, self-harm, traumatic memories, dissociative states, addiction, severe depression, OCD, and similar issues are typically the domain of professional psychotherapy.
Although our approach is grounded in ideas and research from evidence-based psychotherapy and our Lead Facilitator is a licensed clinician, “Sonic Connections” does not engage in deep pathology, and, in general, we believe a public mental health event is not a suitable venue for diagnosing mental illness.
Who can benefit from attending this workshop?
Though our primary work is with traditional college-aged students (18-25 years old), anyone can benefit from attending the “Sonic Connections” workshop. Our program is designed for individuals at various stages of life, regardless of their musical ability or psychological knowledge. Whether you’re a student grappling with academic stress, an administrative professional seeking balance, or simply someone wishing to enhance their mental well-being and self-awareness, this workshop can provide valuable insights and practical strategies. We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and encouraging space for everyone.
What does this cost?
“Sonic Connections” believes deeply in the transformative power of music and mental well-being, and we want as many students as possible to benefit from this program. Understanding that budgets and resources can vary widely among schools, we embrace a values-based payment for our program.
What does this mean?
Values-based payment means that we operate on a pay-what-you-can model. Institutions choose how much they can afford to contribute based on the perceived value of our program, their resources, and their genuine ability to pay. For schools that have the means, we always encourage allocating the full cost of the program, which supports us in providing to schools with tighter budgets and ensures that more students can benefit.
For schools facing financial challenges, please contact us to discuss a figure that makes sense for your institution. We’ll sort out the rest.
