Esther Thane has specialized since 1996 in neurodivergent individuals & diverse needs. After over a decade on faculty at Capilano University, Esther continues to present, publish, and consult. In 2014, she completed Dr. Diane Austin's (Music Psychotherapy Center, NY) training program in Advanced Vocal Psychotherapy. Esther’s publication in the book: Voicework in Music Therapy, focuses on her innovative method of Vocal-Led Relaxation for Children with Autism. Esther created Meet In The Music© (MITM) music therapy curriculum, which is utilized by music therapists globally. She has received numerous awards including: 1. “Iconic Women Creating a Better World For All Award”, presented by the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi, India (2017), 2. “Peer Recognition Award for innovation and Advocacy”, presented by the Canadian Association For Music Therapy (2021), 3. Luminous Alumni Award of Excellence, presented by Capilano University (2024). Esther is also VP of UnitusTI- Mental Health and Diverse Needs Cloud.

Connect with Esther Thane:

🌐 Website: https://www.etmusictherapy.com

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etmusictherapy

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etmusictherapy/

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@etmusictherapy

Rooted in Music Relaxation Recordings: https://www.etmusictherapy.com/rooted-in-music/rooted-in-music

Key Takeaways from My Conversation with Esther Thane, Music Therapist Extraordinaire

Journey into Music Therapy: Esther shares how she followed her intuition into the field, drawn by her lifelong love of music and a transformative experience working in Germany.

About ET Music Therapy: Based in Vancouver, Esther’s practice has been supporting neurodiverse clients of all ages for nearly 30 years, with a focus on creating fun, engaging, and mission-driven sessions.

Team & Community: She built a supportive community of therapists to prevent burnout and foster collaboration, making the field stronger.

Why Music Works for Neurodiverse Kids: Music is a universal, non-threatening language that captivates children, especially those with autism. It promotes motivation, success, and deep engagement.

Using Music at Home: Tools like personalized playlists, exploring instruments, and recording relaxation tracks empower caregivers to support their kids daily.

Transitions & Daily Life: Esther suggests singing preferred songs for smooth transitions and using music as a flexible tool to ease change and overstimulation.

Empathy & Sensory Experience: She highlights how overstimulation affects everyone and emphasizes understanding sensory sensitivities, sharing insights inspired by Glenn Gould’s listening exercises.

Core Philosophy: Children thrive when activities are motivating and successful—music naturally fosters curiosity and deeper learning.

The Joy of the Unknown: Every session is unpredictable and rewarding; her favorite part of being a music therapist.

Collaboration: She emphasizes working with speech therapists, OTs, and other professionals, blending goals into fun, effective activities.

Resources for Families & Practitioners: Check out her website and downloadable relaxation tracks designed for home, school, and self-care.

Final Word: “Meet your child in the music.” It’s all about connection, presence, and the magic that happens when we sing together.