Music and Wellness | Recovery Protocol
Music and Wellness Recovery Protocol is a training program for your staff developed by Jim Donovan M.Ed. that wraps wellness education into a package of interactive and beginner-friendly music-making using drums and percussion.
It’s purpose is to give recovery professionals enjoyable and effective ways to support the client’s healing using evidence-based rhythm and sound techniques.
The system is designed to train people, even non-musicians, how to use strategies that address key recovery goals including: (1) anxiety management, (2) creative self-expression, (3) building confidence, (4) positive social behavior, and (5) physical healing.
About Jim Donovan
Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a professional musician, Assistant Professor at Saint Francis University and TEDx speaker. His mission is to share the healing power of music through education and performance.
He specializes in placing music and wellness programs in organizations who focus on people with disabilities and people recovering from addiction.
Donovan has placed dozens of programs in organizations including Pyramid Healthcare, Maryland Recovery and Footprints to Recovery.
Donovan performs with his band Sun King Warriors and was a founding member of the 3-time platinum band Rusted Root. There he co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” featured in the movie Ice Age and became the first song on Mars where it “woke up” NASA’s Mars Rover.
His TEDx Talk “How to Trick Your Brain Into Falling Asleep” has been viewed over 6 million times.
Jim Donovan leading a training with a mixed group of ASD professionals, parents and caregivers in Pittsburgh, PA.
FAQ
I have never facilitated, or taught music. Will I be able to do this?
Yes. Music and Wellness Training welcomes persons of all experience levels including those with no musical or teaching experience. You will not need to know how to read musical notation, nor will you need a background in music theory. The training is designed to take you as you are and give you the skill sets you need to begin creating your own rhythm-based interventions.
I already have music therapy, musical teaching and/or facilitation experience. Will I learn anything new at your training?
Yes.
If you already have music therapy, musical teaching and/or facilitation experience, you may be familiar with some of what will be shared. That being said, this training is unique in the way it shows you how to both perform and create your own unique interventions.
Is a Music and Wellness Training Music Therapy? No.
While Music and Wellness Training and Music Therapy both share the tool of music in their respective approaches there are important differences. Music Therapy is a highly regarded field in which the practitioners spend many years of schooling learning to apply a wide range of techniques to a many different needs and situations. Music and Wellness Training teaches you adjunct interventions that anyone can learn in a short period of time. A typical training is 5-6 hours.
Do I need my own drum for the training? No, we provide drums and percussion for participants to use during the training. We can also connect your organization to cost effective instrument resources.
Trainees learning to think outside of the box.
“The training with Jim Donovan was one of the best trainings that I have ever attended. It was fun, energetic and very informative. I work with children who have autism and was very impressed with Jim Donovan’s knowledge of the varying levels of autism. He was able to teach us many things to help any and all of our clients. It is also obvious that Jim Donovan’s trainings could benefit anyone, whether for a career or personal well-being. This training was above and beyond what I expected. I would highly recommend the training to anyone and even hope to attend another one myself.”
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