Music Therapy Retreats takes history of helping Aspen veterans to other states

Music Therapy Retreats, formerly known as Music Therapy of the Rockies (MTR), offers evidence-based music therapy practices aimed at supporting veterans and others experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MTR organizes free, regular retreats to help participants achieve mental wellness through the therapeutic power of music. Each retreat consists of four group sessions and two individual sessions, held in various locations nationwide, including Nashville, Atlanta, Maryland, Massachusetts — and Aspen.

The retreats are led by Executive Director and Founder Mack Bailey, along with board-certified music therapists and professional songwriters. Their approach assists veterans in identifying triggers, learning coping skills for self-regulation, and reframing their lived experiences. Participants are gifted a guitar, enabling them to learn new coping skills through music.

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“Trauma, if you respond to it the same way, remains trauma. The goal is to turn that trauma into a memory,” he said. “Participants are presented with a guitar and are taught new coping skills, so when no one else is available to talk, the guitar is there to listen.”

He emphasizes the unique focus of MTR.

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“We are a very unique organization, where we are very therapy-focused, so we are not as concerned about a big number of attendees,” he said. “This year, we are holding 12 retreats in seven states, including Aspen, with a maximum of six people attending each retreat.”

These retreats not only transform the lives of veterans, but also positively impact their families, caregivers, and communities. Continuing opportunities in guitar instruction and songwriting are provided through partnerships with organizations across the United States.

Their model aims to serve veterans where they live, allowing attendees to return to their familiar environments each night after the retreat’s daily programming.

Disabled combat veteran Hans Prahl was introduced to the program by a friend and found significant benefits from attending. 

“It was an amazing experience, to put it lightly,” he said. “The songwriters use some of our feelings, emotions, and experiences to work with us to write these songs. We turned a song into some of the experiences that I get from fishing and being in nature. I still listen to the song from time to time.”

He has recommended the program to his friends dealing with similar issues.

“I could not speak more highly of Mack Bailey and the organization. They really gave us an opportunity and experience that is outside of regular treatments that are offered by the VA and other facilities,” said a grateful Prahl.

Prahl, who has always been open about his PTSD, notes that the program helps other veterans who are less open about their struggles and helped him realize issues he had not yet recognized. 

“MTR did bring up some emotions that I had not fully addressed and have not dealt with. You put certain issues into a box,” he continued. “It helped me connect some dots. It’s not a one-stop thing, where you can just take a pill, do one session, or XYZ, and then you’re healed. It’s about having a myriad of coping skills for different times and different emotions during a crisis.”

As a veteran of the Marine Corps and the Colorado National Guard, he now owns Florence Brewing Company and other restaurants. He plans to participate in the Veterans Cup, an event raising attention and funds for veteran-centric nonprofits, including MTR.

The Veterans Cup will be held on Aug. 6 at Aspen Glen Golf Club. To donate, participate, or sponsor the event, visit veteranscupfoundation.org. For more information on Music Therapy Retreats or to donate directly to their organization, visit musictherapyretreats.org.

Westley Crouch covers the City of Aspen and general reporting for The Aspen Times. He can be reached at 970-384-9124 or wcrouch@aspentimes.com.