Songbird Studio

In this series, we discuss various strategies for creating a relationship through therapeutic rapport. To see the entire series, click here .   Use client suggestions:  My next strategy for turning rapport into a true relationship is to acknowledge and (sometimes) take a client's advice.   This isn't as ethically problematic as it may first appear.  For example, an obvious client suggestion that all music therapists are familiar with and take seriously is the client's opinion and personal preference for music.  We know that preferred music is more powerful and helps increase client motivation within a session.  There are plenty of other suggestions a client may offer, however (at least, if they are anything like mine!).  Maybe they have a suggestion for a different instrument to try, a new arrangement for the room, or even where to grab a rockin' mocha down the street.  If you take any of these suggestions, be sure to point out that y...

In this series, we discuss various strategies for creating a relationship through therapeutic rapport. To see the entire series, click here . Establish a check-in and check-out procedure.   And no, not necessarily a hello and goodbye song...*  For many music therapy students, a hello and goodbye song seem de rigeur...  but you must consider the age of your clients.  My focus in this series is on notoriously tricky population--adolescents.  I do not want to risk my relationship with these clients by patronizing them or attempting to engage them in a process that is obviously not age appropriate.  Instead, I keep it simple and age appropriate.  I greet each person as they enter the room and begin and continue a light conversational tone as the group gathers.  Once we have all arrived, I then greet the group as a whole and pose a question to the group.   When I sit down in my place and ask that question, looking around and taking a...

Building Rapport One Step at a Time Last month, I did a short presentation at my former graduate school for the student music therapy association there.  One of the programs I work in is a public school day treatment setting with adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, and the organizer of the event felt that presenting on behavior management strategies would be most informative for the group.  I thought I would share parts of my presentation here, as a new series on the blog. If you're anything like me when I was going through my music therapy practica, this is the population that produces the most anxiety for you.  Hopefully these practical, concrete tips will ease some of that anxiety, because I feel this is a very fulfilling pouplation to work with, and I hope you get the opportunity to do so someday.  It's also possible that you are very comfortable with or excited about working with this population. If that is the case, I hope this series reaff...

I finally have some time to read and reflect on all of the great posts out there from the bloggers who participated in the Joint AMTA/CBMT Advocacy Month project. I love that I am finally taking steps to become more actively involved in this online community of music therapists. It is encouraging to see so many of us out there "fighting the good fight" in support of music therapy. I thought I would share a few of my thoughts and links to a few of the posts that caught my eye as a wrap-up to the month. Music Therapy Advocacy on All Things Healing by Rebecca McClary: I realized I left off a very important part of "Everyday Advocacy," inviting administrators to and sharing products from sessions when appropriate. Nothing is more powerful than actual observation of how music meets needs in such a unique way. Let Me Explain Something You May Not Know on Beyond the Music by Michelle Strutzel: I love how Michelle encourages the reader to make their "circ...

Or, Top Ten Ways to be an Effective Music Therapy Advocate in the Workplace... But can I confess? I think these would work in any profession! 1) Be professional. Be on time, with an appropriate appearance and demeanor for the facility you are working in. Follow facility guidelines for charting, communication, scheduling, etc. Be friendly with everyone on the staff--no one is beneath you, and everyone can help you! 2) Know when to talk. Be open to teachable moments--those random hallway conversations or tangents during meetings where you can pipe in knowledgeably with a little nugget of music therapy gold. 3) Know when to zip it. Don't be preachy. Of course you're excited about music therapy and its benefits, why else would you be doing the job? But sometimes it is best to let your work speak for itself. People will notice positive results, but if you are constantly achatter or seen as exaggerating, you may drown yourself out. 4) Actively seek ways to add value ...

I am so excited about this! The first fall of the day treatment program in my school district, through a series of events, I began collaborating with our school psychologist (at the alternative school I work at part time) on a social skills group using music therapy. I was very excited about the work I would get to do in this group, as it is a type of music therapy that I find interesting and fulfilling, and I was hopeful for positive results. It paid off! Students have attended the group willingly, participated actively in the variety of interventions we developed together, and I hope that I have shown how effective music therapy can be with a challenging population to the administration of my school. I suggested submitting our work to the Midwest Region of the AMTA for their regional conference, and we just received word that we have been approved! It is my first conference-level presentation, and I cannot wait to dig in and start preparing in earnest. Here are some highlights...

Just popping in to share this recent press release with you: "In January 2011, the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) are spreading the word about music therapy advocacy and government relations through the social media airwaves. Through the month, music therapy bloggers and podcasters will be sharing their thoughts, ideas, and questions about what it means to be a music therapy advocate, what the State Recognition Operational Plan entails, and how you can be involved. The following sites are supporting this project: Beyond the Music (blogger: Michelle Strutzel) Developmental Community Music (blogger: Kalani) Eclectic Guitar (blogger: Sara Sendlbeck) Key Changes Music Therapy (blogger: Natalie Mullis) Listen & Learn Music (blogger: Rachel Rambach) Mindful Music Therapist (blogger: Roia Rafieyan) More with Music (blogger: Amanda Ellis) Mundana Music Therapy (bloggers: Megan Resig and Kimberly Thompson) Music...