45: Music therapy: Connection, regulation and neuroaffirming care with Brianna Dahlstrom

Music therapy isn’t just about learning to play music. So how can we use music to connect, explore and simply be?

In this episode, Laetitia is joined by Brianna Dahlstrom, Registered Music Therapist, musician and neurodivergent practitioner, to explore what music therapy actually looks like and what makes it genuinely neuroaffirming.

Together, they unpack the difference between a music lesson and music therapy, why connection and safety come before performance, and how music can provide a playful and nourishing way to explore identity, emotions and nervous system experiences.

Brianna also shares what families can look for when choosing a neuroaffirming music therapist, from respecting communication and movement differences to adapting the sensory environment and building on a person’s strengths rather than trying to normalise them.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇

🧠 Music therapy is about the experience, not being “good” at music

🧠 Safety and connection come before therapeutic goals

🧠 Neuroaffirming care focuses on supporting and building upon strengths, rather than normalising

🧠 Music can offer another pathway to connection and nervous system support when words or talk-based therapies don’t feel accessible

🧠 Playfulness, curiosity and shared music-making can create powerful moments of belonging and self-connection

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ABOUT THE GUEST 👇

Brianna Dahlstrom is a Registered Music Therapist (RMT), musician and member of the Australian Music Therapy Association. She works with children, adolescents and adults at Shared Space Therapy.

As a neurodivergent person with lived experience of mental ill-health, Brianna brings both personal and professional insight to her participant-led, strengths-based practice. For Brianna, music therapy begins with connection, meeting people where they are and creating safety before anything else.

A lifelong musician, she sings, plays guitar, writes songs and works in music production. She is passionate about helping people live authentically, build self-acceptance and experience music in ways that work for them.

💻 Website: www.sharedspacetherapy.com.au

📸 Instagram: @eating_and_feeding

ABOUT THE HOST 👇

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.