This is Your Brain on Music
The Neuroscience of Self-Regulation
This 4-hour CMTE course explores the neuroscience of self-regulation and its impact on attention, communication, learning, and emotional development, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent clients. Grounded in Neurologic Music Therapy research, polyvagal-informed frameworks, and sensory integration principles, the course translates brain–body concepts into practical, music-based clinical strategies.
About the course
Self-regulation is foundational to attention, communication, learning, and emotional development. Yet many clients, particularly neurodivergent individuals, experience dysregulation that interferes with therapeutic progress. This 4-hour CMTE explores the neuroscience of self-regulation and translates current research into practical, music-based clinical strategies.
Participants will examine regulation through a brain–body lens, exploring the roles of the brainstem, cerebellum, limbic system, prefrontal cortex, autonomic nervous system, and sensory processing systems. Drawing from Neurologic Music Therapy research, polyvagal-informed frameworks, and sensory integration principles, this course connects neuroanatomy to applied music therapy techniques.
Through case examples, rhythmic assessment tools, session arc design, and sensory-based intervention strategies, participants will learn how to:
Identify clients’ sensorimotor and autonomic patterns
Use rhythm, melody, harmony, and tempo to modulate arousal
Design developmentally attuned session arcs
Adapt regulation interventions based on sensory profiles
Move clients from dysregulation toward engagement and optimized functioning
This course emphasizes tangible, immediately applicable tools while grounding practice in evidence-based neuroscience literature. Participants will leave with a clearer framework for supporting diverse clients across clinical and educational settings.
What you’ll learn
Meet your instructor
Alyssa Stone, MM, LPMT, MT-BC, CYT 500 is a Board Certified Neurologic Music Therapist, educator, and yoga instructor. Her holistic approach, engaging expertise, and determined drive have made her lifelong goal of running a successful therapeutic center for children a reality. A graduate of the University of Miami and Colorado State University, Alyssa studied Music Therapy, Music Education, and Psychology.
Alyssa is currently pursuing her PhD in Music Therapy at Colorado State University. Alyssa's passion lies in celebrating neurodiversity and providing the best therapeutic services to help all individuals reach their fullest potential! Alyssa's current areas of research include executive function skill development through neuroscience-informed techniques for neurodivergent individuals..
Enroll Now
Enroll Now
This is Your Brain on Music
The Neuroscience of Self-Regulation
This 4-hour CMTE course explores the neuroscience of self-regulation and its impact on attention, communication, learning, and emotional development, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent clients. Grounded in Neurologic Music Therapy research, polyvagal-informed frameworks, and sensory integration principles, the course translates brain–body concepts into practical, music-based clinical strategies.