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1. 058 drumheadmag.comACOUSTIC YOUTH PROGRAM
Magic happens, and when it happens
in group therapy with anxious and
depressed teenagers, let me tell you,
it’s nothing less than what Foo Fighters’
Dave Grohl would say is “f*ck*ng epic!”
And he should know, because he has
been there every step of the way.
It was Grohl’s HBO documentary Sonic
Highways that inspired psychologist
Dr. Brette Genzel-Derman to design
a program using songwriting and
professional recording to encourage
troubled teens to express their fears and
to cope with the trauma in their lives.
Just as Grohl traveled the world in
Sonic Highways for inspiration as he
soaked up the culture of cities and
learned about people’s lives, Genzel-
Derman used that concept to motivate
troubled teens to use metaphors and
life experience to express their feelings
through songwriting. She believes
that one-on-one talk therapy can be
daunting to kids who have difficulty
expressing themselves, especially when
asked “What is bothering you?” She
also believes that freedom to use creativity to put words to
music can be liberating, and she was right. Acoustic Youth
was born.
In fun-filled group therapy sessions, Acoustic Youth
teaches teens how their brain works and how to manage
negative emotions using music and songwriting. Many
teens enter the group lacking confidence, and feeling
socially isolated. Struggling to keep up with every day
responsibilities teens often feel incompetent and lack joy
in their lives. By helping them to understand the body’s
chemistry, teens become enlightened and begin to
understand the role they can play in making themselves
feel better and in control. That’s where music comes in.
Music is a powerful coping tool that is highlighted
throughout the sessions. Students listen to music, they
talk about it, they play drums and they are encouraged to
use metaphors to express their feelings. These metaphors
ultimately get translated into the lyrics of their songs. Using
metaphors allows them to safely express what previously
could not be put into words.
In the sheltered environment of the group, they act as
witnesses to each other‘s personal lyrical creations, which
adds emotional depth between the group members.
Slowly those afraid to take the next step in the process,
see their peers finding the courage to engage. The mutual
sharing of each other‘s pain through a musical platform
is powerful, and the emotions expressed in the songs are
safely held and celebrated.
Dave Grohl was the first mentor to volunteer in Dr.
Genzel-Derman’s pilot program Sonic Teens, which was
offered at the Child and Family Guidance Center, a non-
profit community mental health center, in Los Angeles. As
a mentor, Grohl became a critical part of the group therapy
dynamic providing inspiration, structure and guidance.
Mentors enter into the process a few weeks into therapy
and are challenged with assisting the teens (regardless of
any formal music training) in the development of a unique
song. They support and motivate each teen from their own
experiences and connections with music to make a song
that resonates and encapsulates each teen’s feelings.
A New Twist to Helping Teens:
Sonic Highways inspires Acoustic Youth Program
Atom Willard, Carol Gelbard, John Lousteau, Brette Genzel-Derman and Dave Grohl.
Bill McFadden, Rodney Pino, Brette Genzel-Derman.

2. drumheadmag.com ACOUSTIC YOUTH PROGRAM 059
Eric Binder
Adam Arruda
In a recent session, one teen shared that it was easier to
sing about her abuse because, “you can say so much in
just a few words... and no one but you really knows what it
means.” A group member struggling with depression and
motivation said, “These weekly groups have changed my
life…it made me a lot more productive. Having the mentors
gave me a sense of energy…it helped me to do more.”
Another teen (who had previously been suicidal) stated,
“This experience helped me realize I was finally healing...
because I was connecting more with the hopeful part of
the song.” In Acoustic Youth it’s not the finished song that
is most important, rather it is the coping skills acquired, the
human connections made, and the confidence gained.
Parents of these teens are impressed with Acoustic Youth
too. One parent, who had a child go through the program
twice, recounted the joy she felt upon hearing her daughter
say, “Mom, I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I don’t
want it to end.” This mom gives Acoustic Youth credit for
helping her daughter have a more positive outlook on life
and communicating with her more when she is feeling
troubled or down. Hearing that her daughter now wants to
pursue a career in therapy, in hopes that she can someday
help other teens, fills her with pride.
Seeing the tremendous impact this program has on
troubled teens, some of whom are suicidal, Grohl continues
his mentorship in Acoustic Youth (one of three programs
offered in Dr. Genzel- Derman’s company, Innovative
Group Psychotherapy, Inc.). In June 2019 Grohl and Genzel-
Derman were featured on the Today Show highlighting the
profound impact their involvement had on the life of one
of the teens.
In addition to Dave Grohl, mentors Bill McFadden
and Rodney Pino (musicians/ bandmates, and owners
of No Nuts Cymbal Sleeves), started their first session
with an electrifying drum circle that transformed a
room full of reticent kids into a group of laughing foot
tapping, and drum beating teens. Mentor Robin Diaz’s
(formerly Courtney Love, Peter murphy of Bauhaus and
Live drummer) vulnerability about his past struggles
fostered a safe environment such that the teens were
unabashedly belting out lyrics. Minutes earlier the group
had sat silent. Atom Willard’s (drummer for Against Me,
formerly The Offspring’s drummer) patience and support
helped a terrified and insecure female sing lyrics into the
microphone for the first time. Acoustic Youth also benefits
from having an amazing sound engineer that pulls it all
together. John Lousteau (Foo Fighters sound engineer) is
magical at transforming the song’s lyrics and beat into a
recording studio quality single.
Regardless of the role-played, mentors have all been
changed by this process as well. Seeing the healing powers
of music first hand often rekindles the initial passion and
belief which drove the mentors to be musicians and artists
in the first place. Just like Dave Grohl, the mentors keep
coming back excited to meet the next group of teens.
For anyone interested in more information please visit
www.igpsychotherapy.com.
Dr. Genzel-Derman is the CEO and founder of Innovative
Group Psychotherapy, Inc. Her main passion is working
to empower teens to heal through creative expression.
She received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the
California School of Professional Psychology. She has been
in private practice for 15 years specializing in psychological
assessment and has worked as a clinical psychologist at the
Child and Family Guidance Center for the past 20 years.
For those interested in becoming a mentor or
participating in one of our groups please visit:
www.igpsychotherapy.com. Or call 310.739.7344
Dave Grohl