This adaptable songwriting activity draws inspiration from the emotional storytelling of K-pop, the resilience themes in Demon Hunters, and the self-affirming message of the song “Golden”.

Instructions:

Adaptations by population & ability

• Young children (3–7): Use picture cards, animals, puppets. Keep blanks to nouns (toy, snack, person). Let them point to pictures.
• School-age kids (8–12): Give simple choice lists and invite drawing a picture of their safe thing. Use turn-taking games to choose words.
• Adolescents & adults: Invite metaphorical words, private journaling of words before sharing, or the option to sing the blank as an improvised sound (ah/oh/hum) if naming is too hard.
• Neurodivergent clients: Offer visual supports, shorter lines, or reinforcement for participation.
• Group setting: Rotate blanks — each member fills one blank.

Brief clinician script bank

• “We’ll make this line your line — you choose the word.”
• “You can pass anytime. Would you like me to offer choices?”
• “I notice you paused — would you prefer to write it down or whisper it?”
• “That word is powerful. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
• “Would you like a copy of your version to keep?”

Step-by-Step Guide for the Music Therapist – Before the session — safety and set-up

1. Review clinical risks: know the client’s triggers, baseline anxiety level, and crisis plan. Have sensory/calming items available (weighted lap pad, chewing object, fidget).
2. Room & materials: instrument or recorded track, lyric sheet with blanks printed large, emotion cards or picture choices for kids, recording device (phone) if client consents.
3. Consent & boundaries script (use this): “We’re going to make a short song together with blanks you can fill. You pick the words — I’ll offer choices if you want. You can say ‘pass’ any time, or show me our agreed ‘pause’ signal if it feels like too much. Sound okay?”
4. Agree on a safety cue (e.g., “red light” or hands-up) so the client can stop the activity instantly without explaining.

Warm-Up & Build Safety (2-5 minutes)

• Start with a co-regulated breath: therapist models slow in (4) — hold (1) — out (6) two or three times.
• Use a quick, low-stakes musical game: hum the melody together on “mmm” or clap steady beat. This lowers activation and builds predictability.

Script: “We’ll sing the same melody as I hum now — you don’t have to put words on the first try. We’ll go slow and you lead the blanks.”2) Model & scaffold the first blank

• Model filling: sing the first line with a neutral word (therapist fills). Then invite the client to try a different safe option.
• For children: present 3 picture cards (e.g., worried, sad, excited) and ask them to pick one. For nonverbal clients, let them point or tap to choose.

Script: “Here’s the line: ‘When my chest feels [FEELING]…’ I’ll try ‘heavy’ first. Which one do you want to try?”3) Alternate & co-create (the piggyback)

• Use an alternate sing method: therapist sings a line with blank, client fills the blank aloud, then the pair sings the completed line together.
• Keep pace slow; allow the client to whisper or mouth the word if they’re shy. Celebrate all contributions.

Script: “I’ll sing the line and leave the blank. When I point, you can say your word. Ready?” (Point to client.)4) Deepen ownership — let client edit

• After 2–3 rounds, invite the client to change a line: “Would you like to swap that word for one that fits better?” Offer writing materials so they can write their word on the lyric sheet.
• For older clients, invite them to write a new line to add a verse about one coping skill they use.

Script: “You can make this your line. Want to write your word here so we can keep it on your sheet?”5) Ground & reflect

• After singing 2–3 choruses, stop and process. Use short, supportive questions:
  • “How was it to pick that word?”
  • “What helped when you said that word out loud?”

Script: “When you chose ‘[word]’, what did you notice in your body? Did anything change with your breathing?”6) Record & reinforce ownership

• Offer to record the final performance (audio or phone video) only with explicit consent. Provide an editable lyric sheet with the client’s words handwritten. Suggest the client take a printed copy or audio home as a coping cue.
• Brainstorm a small behavioral plan: “If you feel [FEELING] this week, you could hum line X or read your lyric. Want to try that?”

Script: “Would you like a copy of your version to keep? We can record just the chorus and use it as a quick calm cue.”7) Close safely

• End with 2 slow breaths and a grounding phrase the client picks (e.g., “I’m golden”). Re-check emotional state. Offer praise specifically for effort (not performance): “Thank you for choosing words and trying that with me — that took courage.”

Script: “Let’s take two slow breaths together. On the out-breath, say your word or the phrase ‘I’m golden’ if that feels okay.”