A MAJOR Moment

Well,

                 A WEEK AND A HALF LEFT OF THIS CRAZY RIDE!

      That picture does not even begin to sum up all of my emotions at this point in time.


"Wait....WHAT?" Absolutely cannot believe it has been 5 and a half months already, I literally feel like I was just freaking out about moving to Cleveland.

I'm actually quite scared out of my mind, this means I'm a big girl now, and officially in the real world.

Beyond ecstatic, this internship was the most challenging thing I've ever had to do in my life, and I did it....I DID IT. (knock on wood of course, a week.5 could be a while)

And finally, I am a little sad. I have learned more than I ever thought possible, made brilliant new friends, grown a thick skin, and really felt at home at UH.  I feel like I never want to leave this place!

**I do have future plans, they just have to be solidified before I can let you all in on them ;)**

SO. Here it is:   Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)

Melodic Intonation Therapy is a Neurologic Music Therapy technique used with clients who have experienced brain damage and have trouble with speech production.  By singing simple phrases to a basic rhythm with a melody that matches inflections found in natural speech will help stimulate the right hemisphere of the brain (for speech production).

I'm pretty sure anyone who has every asked me what Music Therapy is, I use this technique as an example one of the things we do...

But here is the general process:
1. Identify a phrase
2. Grab the clients left hand (to access right sight of brain) and tap a steady rhythm
3. Hum your phrase to a melody in rhythm
4. Add words to your melody (have them watch your mouth)
5. Invite the client to sing the melody with you
6. Therapist will fade out
7. Therapist will initiate call and response: therapist says phrase first then client will repeat
8. Transition into speech instead of singing (brief)
9. Stop rhythm tapping, ask the client a relavent question so they must respond with the phrase they just re-learned
10. Watch them hear themselves speak the phrase correctly and form a huge smile.

I have had the pleasure of working with a WONDERFUL patient who suffered a terrible stroke.  This stroke left them with the ability to completely understand speech, but unable to correctly produce it.  Fixated on the sound "N," they would become very frustrated because they knew what they wanted to say, but just couldn't say it! The family often times got frustrated as well saying "You know how to say 'Bye' JUST SAY IT!"

Dr. Deforia Lane was in the room with me one of the first times we were working with this patient and she explained this frustration PERFECTLY

"You telling [the pt.] to just say the words is like me telling you to just sing You Are My Sunshine backwards!"

Right away, they got it.  We all know the words to you are my sunshine but we would have to do some real cognitive labor to produce it backwards.

Anyway, so I worked with this patient for about 2 weeks (on multiple goals related to their recovery) but on the last session, we implemented MIT, they picked the phrase "my sister-in-law" (because she was in the room visiting). The patient went from literally not being able to say a single one of those words, to articulating them with 100% accuracy.  They heard it, went bug-eyed, covered their mouth, and started dancing! Then the whole room busted out singing "I'M SO EXCITED! AND I JUST CANT HIDE IT!"  
           **working on getting permission to release the videos of these sessions, if I get it I'll post em!

                                That day will be a day I will NEVER forget. 

Here is an example of a music therapist doing MIT----> 1:02

Jaclyn Bradley-Palmer (SHE IS AMAZING, she also works at UH. She's not only a great therapist, but a wonderful person in general!) Jaclyn has been a big source of support and inspiration for me! Thanks Jaclyn!

ONE AND A HALF MORE WEEKS. boom.

If it ain't baroque, don't fix it..unless it becomes a major problem.

Oh my goodness I have not updated in a very long time, please accept my sincerest apologies!

To make it up to you, I'll share my new favorite video right now...Gotta love A Fine Frenzy!

Please also take note, she has hair tinsel--EVERYONE LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I WANTED THIS!

ANYWHO, as usual LOTS has been happening!  I'll give you a quick update of what I've been up to and follow up later this week to describe a couple of the patients I am following and what I'm doing with them!

I just finished up my psych rotation which is a BIG DEAL--I am so proud of myself and am really coming into my own as a therapist.  I had four sessions where I lectured and implemented music interventions related to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
             Session 1: Support systems
             Session 2: Emotional Regulation
             Session 3: Self-Esteem
             Session 4: CBT themes in Lyric Analysis (I let the patients pick songs and talk about
             them, then let the group analyze the song as it relates to their recovery and CBT themes)

I got great feedback from my supervisors, but am very happy this part of the internship is over--it was a HUGE challenge!

I only have about a month left, WHERE DOES TIME GO?!

I am very, VERY much looking forward to coming home for the Thanksgiving holiday

As I finish up, my focus now shifts to following my own patients, finishing the geriatric rotation at the Rock Hall, making a presentation about music therapy to high school students, and finishing my research project.  My research project is all about starting a new music therapy program at a separate University Hospitals campus (right up the road from the Seidman Cancer Center).  I go there once every other week to see patients, familiarize myself with the facility/the 3 or 4 different units, and get to know the staff.  I am also learning about finding grant money for funding, making budgets, and other administrative duties.  This is ultimately setting me up for much success as a professional......................     ;)

Be sure to check back later this week to read stories of a couple of my current patients:

      Patient 1: Referrred for anxiety and agitation
      Patient 2: Referred for pain, and now following for physical therapy co-treating
      Patient 3: Referred for mood modification, an older woman and her husband

Much love you all!

Thanks For Taking a MINUET to REED My Newest Update!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEK EVERYONE!

After three months of craziness, highs, lows, new faces, and growth I am writing this update from home in VA.  I got to come home this weekend and be with my friends and family.  This was MUCH needed as I am going into the most intense part of my internship and my work load is getting larger and larger.

Its wonderful to sleep in my own bed and let loose with my friends--last night we all dressed up and headed out to DCs "Nightmare on M Street." Here is a picture of some of us starting off the evening! (Cop, Flubber, Kitty, Surgeon, Nerd, Nurse, Popeye)  There were some AWESOME costumes out--I LOVE Halloween!!

Now onto business:

I have officially started two new rotations: IOP, and Star Rockers.


Star Rockers is another group I get to work with at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  A small census of 5 wonderful geriatric clients.  The IOP Program is a group for adults with mood disorders.  We use music therapy to address issues the patients discuss in their other groups in new ways in hopes to give them a new or different perspective on things.  It's a little nerve racking because I spend a whole hour talking with these people about some pretty deep things. I am so thankful and honored they open up to me and are engaged in what I present them--over these next 4 weeks I hope to make (even a small) difference in their recovery. My first session went very well, we focused on the topic of support systems.  I worked towards the goal through worksheets, lyric analysis, and a songwriting intervention.  Next week I'll be doing a session about mood modification and mood matching with music. In this rotation, I not only work on my music therapy skills, but also counseling skills!



Last but not least, I also got my 3 Month Evaluation (DUHN DUHN DUHN) <--creepy music...did you get that?

It went very well!!  Every evaluation has great things, aaaaand talks about areas that need improvement.  Nothing my supervisors said came to a complete shock.  It was wonderful to hear them talk about some of the great things I'm doing and how much I have grown.  I also enjoyed the opportunity to be able to express how much I am learning and coming into my own as a professional. Personally, the main thing I want to work on is my confidence in ALL of my skills.  Over the past 3 months, I have gained new skills and refined others, the next step is to recognize all of my strengths and to utilize the skills that I KNOW I have.  If I can do that---I can do soooo much more for my clients!


I thank all of you for your continued support and interest in what I am doing! I pray you all stay safe in HURRICANE SANDY'S path!

"I got chills they're multiplyin......"

                              

(Making light of a terrible circumstance..)

Conference has me BEAT.

Wow, wow, WOW what a great week/weekend!

Just have to briefly mention I have now started going to Hope Lodge twice a month

The Joseph S. & Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge is a unique home away from home for people who need temporary, comfortable, supportive accommodations offered free of charge during cancer treatment.

This outreach rotation is just such an honor, the interns at UH get free range of these evenings, planning any kind of music activities/interventions and the people we serve are among the bravest and most wonderful.

Lindsay and I had our first session and we played music bingo; there were about a dozen residents and all of them sang, played instruments, and loved us for a little more than an hour.  One man continued to thank us for bringing what we do to them, saying "You are truly doing God's work."

I cannot wait to continue to visit Hope Lodge during the last stretch of my internship.



BUT
most of all...this weekend was AMTA's NATIONAL CONFERENCE in Chicago (well..St. Charles, but close enough right)

It was a total blast, and such a great way to spend my last days as junior intern and say goodbye to Lindsay :(

Lectures I attended:

• Utilizing the iPad in a Medical Setting
• AMTA Business Meeting (and a celebration of life)
• Innovative Expressions: an experiential session showing great intervention ideas

 

• Success: Establishing a Music Therapy Program in an Adult General/Specialty Hospital
• Managing a Medical Music Therapy Program in Changing Economic Times
• Personal Disclosure in Music Therapy Sessions
• Vocal Psychotherapy
• Research Committee--Music Therapy for Pain Management
• ....not to mention the opening ceremonies with "The Four Bitchin' Babes" (seriously that's what the group was called)

This was my first NATIONAL conference and there were so many lectures during each time slot that I wanted to attend, but had to pick and choose.  I learned a ton, and had fun while doing it, so thanks to all the amazing presenters and the tools you've given me!

All the learning was masked by constant fun--constantly surrounded by beautiful music and people from all over the nation/world that shared my passion was simply amazing! 


Lindsay and I were quite the jet setters this weekend, even stopping in downtown Chicago on our way in for a bit of sight seeing and coffee--Chicago is pretty cool, wish we had more time there!

We spent Thursday-Sunday livin it up at the beautiful Pheasant Run resort..causing a ruckus with our fellow music therapy professionals/students/and even supervisors ;)

Here is a view from our room:

I had a chance to hangout, grab drinks, and go to dinner with some of the best people around: SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY!!!! (Shoutout to Dr. Rohrbacher, Bronwen, Dr. Tauge, Claire, Brenton, Hannah, Alison, Kara, Kristina, Tracey, Sarah, and Jackie (Hope I didn't forget anyone!)

I enjoyed all the networking I got to do, meeting tons of new professionals and friends that are doing great things in our field.  It was fun to meet the MT's I follow via social media too!


As we said goodbye to 2012's conference a stretch limo awaited to take Lindsay and I to the airport

 Lindsay is off to do some amazing things, she got a job in Columbus, OH working in an acute adult psych facility--I could not be more excited for her, she deserves it!

I cannot begin to tell you how much she has done for me over these crazy 3 months, I am so blessed to have had her!!  She helped me in and out of the hospital, being there for me whenever I needed her, and became a true confidant and friend. I have no idea how Deforia and the rest of UH has put up with us for all this time.  LOVE YOU LINDSAY!!!

With that said...I am OFFICIALLY senior intern.  Boom.

Always stay composed Christine.

This post is just a bit of nothing, or everything, just for fun.

Some VERY VERY cool things are developing and I cannot wait to share them with all of you.
                (Send some positive thoughts my way people!)

First off, this is my horoscope of the day, I absolutely had to share:

Marilyn Monroe (my idol) said "Always stay true to yourself, retain individuality."  This is a statement I live by, and the fact that my horoscope encourages me to encourage others' individuality, and incorporates music ;-), is pretty cool---so everyone, BE YOU and love it!!! Do something original today, and if its not original, just do something for yourself.

Just like Natalie Portman:

(If you haven't seen Garden State...watch it)

Embracing who I am and how I contrast, in or out of harmony with others, has been a huge part of this internship, and it has done me WONDERS!  My faults and mistakes give me opportunities to learn, and my strengths help me stand out, give me confidence, and make me a special part of the Music Therapy team at UH Hospitals.  I am going into a field where there really is no monotony and I don't think I'll ever loose myself or get bored. I honestly hope the same for all of those people who don't like their jobs or who feel stuck in the 9-5.



11 Days till National Conference!

My Goals for the week:
             -Build more repertoire!!!
             -Finish Hospice Rotation
             -Successfully go on rounds alone
             -Stay confident

Thanks for reading all!! Have a great week!  
I leave you now with an AWESOME music video by the AWESOME group Melodime, you may recognize a few people.....

On another note...

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!
 

What an exciting week it has been for me here in Cleveland--new life changes and curve balls, but more importantly a new therapy rotation!  Thursday I began my rotation with TODDLER ROCK.  Toddler rock is a program that brings kids 3-5 years old to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to participate in hour long classes that help them improve socialization, literacy, and language skills—all through music!  This class also helps the teachers by giving them new tools and strategies to use in their classroom.

I am beyond excited to be able to go to the Rock Hall every week and to get to know my class and be surrounded by all the music history.  Our first session was a group introduction with all the therapists and all the kids, probably about 200+ kids/teachers were present for this group.  As the kids sat with their schools I looked around; one group in particular looked like little angels—guess who lucked out and will be working with this class—you got it, me!

Over the course of 10 weeks, we will focus on 4 letters F, C, I, and T so if anyone knows any fun letter songs or games, send them my way!  I really feel that as a music therapist I do VERY well working with kids, I am even considering pursuing a job specifically for this population, but that could be a whole separate blog post in itself!

Things coming up to watch out for that I cannot wait to tell you about:

         I’ll be headed to National Conference.
         I’ll be saying goodbye to Lindsay and becoming SENIOR intern.
         I will be receiving my three-month evaluation

Things I’ve learned this week:

By learning about my patients and hearing their stories, I learn more about myself everyday.

Free coffee is AWESOME.

Even if an adult has a cognitive delay, speak to them as an adult.

If you haven’t heard of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—here is there website, its SUPER awesome and if anyone plans on coming to visit, I’ll take ya there!

 www.RockHall.com

GIF the heck outta here!

What I feel like when I have to lead a session on my own for the first time while my supervisors watch.

....when I rock it

Becoming an upright professional: it's still a grand journey

Hello everyone!

First of all let me apologize for my slacking in posting entries—I have been extremely busy and absolutely loving it, so this post is going to be a sort of catcher-upper.

I write to you from the Winking Lizard Tavern, Starbucks simply wouldn’t cut it today becauseeee FOOTBALL IS BACK!!! I am the only one decked out in Washington Redskins gear surrounded by Brown’s fans…there is a lonely dolphins fan though.

GOODBYE sundresses, sunburn, and beach trips HELLO football, cool weather, hot drinks, and warmer fashions; I am ready for fall!

Had to….sang this song for an audition once…I find myself singing it a lot this week :P

I have had an awesome few weeks and cannot believe I’m approaching month 3!  I am becoming a very confident intern and therapist and starting to move into independence.

On top of seeing patients, developing music skills, leading groups, article reviews and book reports, I have to complete a couple of big projects while I am here: a presentation about music therapy, a case study, and a research project.

I am proud to say that my case study will be completed this week!
This was something I was nervous about even STARTING.  How will I know which patient I want to work closely with?  Am I ready to carry out the therapy process on my own?  Will I actually be benefiting this person?

YES!
To make a long story sort of short--

Going on rounds with Dr. Lane, she was easing me into independence and wanted me to take more of a lead when working with this specific woman.  I don’t know why, but the leadership and confidence came almost effortlessly that day, rapport was built almost immediately and I was able to completely assess her and implement a session. 

Because I was able to connect with her and figure out multiple goals I could work on, I decided she would be perfect for my case study.  I have developed a program plan for her and have led five sessions on my own. I plan on terminating services on Monday and writing up my report.  I have data to show her progress and have charted in her notes all the amazing things we accomplished.  Her goals are mainly psychosocial but I am fully confident I have helped her greatly in her stay at the hospital and have evidence to prove it.

Here are my goal areas I set for her after the assessment:

            Mood modification
            Decision making (and independence) through leisure time skills practice
            *I started out with pain management but then as she got closer to discharge
               this was not really needed so I focused on her biggest needs

I have learned so much from her and am so glad to have knocked this project out so I can begin to focus on my upcoming rotations in Toddler Rock and the Intensive Outpatient Program for Adults with mood disorders.

With all this going on, weeks seem to fly by! I certainly enjoy my weekends, a chance to breathe, a chance to relax, and a chance to just have some fun!

A couple weekends ago I got to travel to Pittsburgh, what a great city, I ate a slice of pizza the size of my head! Last weekend I was able to make a trip home to VA!  I even got to enjoy a delicious all you can eat blue crab feast.

This is the first time I have been away from home for this long and this far away so it was just what I needed.  I found that at first, being in Cleveland, all I had was my internship, I didn’t know anyone, didn’t know anything to do, so I drowned myself in work.  Being here almost three months now, it’s a lot easier to “escape,” and that’s very important, in any line of work—I believe I talked about this before…anyway…

I am so excited I got to see a lot of my friends and my family; I love and miss you all! Good luck to everyone at SU this semester!

   

A reflective post, hope you can Handel it.

This week has been good, bad, fun, stressful, etc. etc all at the same time.  It was difficult to decide what to write about.

First, I thought I would write about music therapy and technology, as I am posting this entry from Starbucks on an iPad that was given to me for my upcoming work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Toddler Rock program! Exciting to have a fun new toy. So, if any therapists out there reading this have any great ideas for apps or using the iPad in their sessions, especially with kids, I would love to hear them!

Then, I thought to write about balancing work stress and stressors that come from personal relationships, home life or other places of that nature, but I feared that would turn into a big ol' venting post and I would never bore you all with that-- especially because overall, I am so happy here and am really finding myself!

I will caution you though, this post will be a little more personal and reflective.  Events and readings I have done this week have caused me to ask a lot of questions about my faith and myself.  I am beginning my hospice rotation and this is not an easy topic.  The readings I must do talk about the process of dying and the experience for the patient and loved ones.  It's very tough to read about these things, especially for someone growing up afraid of death.  As a music therapist working in hospice you are there to support these people through this journey, whether it is an easy one, or filled with a lot of physical and emotional pain.

In my reading, Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapy: A Guide to Clinical Development and Clinical Care it lists some as goals for music therapists:

·      Encouraging family support and communication

·      Managing symptoms/pain

·      Reducing stress and anxiety

·      Offering a sense of comfort and spiritual support

·      Facilitating closure

·      Providing a means of emotional and grief expression

·      Coping skills; working through denial, depression, and isolation

·      Increasing independence and self-esteem

·      Improving breath capacity

·      Mood elevation

·      Helping patients and family gain a sense of control and self-worth

This is not the tough part to understand, it is the fact that we have to help these people through something none of us can really understand. 

(Take or leave the next section of my post, I have a bit of word vomit)

I admire the doctors and nurses that deal with death everyday and can still remain sane! I was present for a situation in which a decision was made (by a patient) to take them off life support, they did it within the next 10 minutes.  This was when reality came crashing in on me; this person knew they were going to die that day.  Yes, a lot of consideration by doctors goes into this action concerning legalities and the patient etc etc…but how were they just so accepting of this decision?  How did that patient know they were ready? Weren’t they afraid of what was to happen next or what their family was going to do?

It really made me start to question my faith, what really happens when you die? What if there is no heaven/hell/Allah Whatever?! 

I’m a very spiritual person, I’m not saying I am the perfect Catholic, but I have a very good relationship with God, so why am I questioning my beliefs?! Being in a hospital makes death seem not as…real (sorry, sort of at a loss for words)…but when you sit back and think about it…it’s just hard. 

Being here in Ohio not knowing anyone and beginning a new stage in my life has brought me closer to God and made my faith stronger. I have been relying on Him when I am struggling, and believe me, in this first month, I HAVE STRUGGLED (with multiple things), but I am 10x happier and better now than I was 4 weeks ago, I will tell you that.   With all of my readings and experiencing people in ICUs it makes me feel terrible for questioning my faith, does this mean I’m an awful person?  Is God going to punish me for second-guessing Him?  I’ve been forced to look at circumstances like these through a scientific/medical eye and then through a spiritual and human-being-with-compassion eye.  It’s hard to switch between those things…

I suppose ultimately, it’s not that I have to choose between these aspects, but I have to have a balance of them all.  Right now, these issues and events are brand new to me so I shouldn’t expect myself to be ready to support someone in the dying process as a third party therapist OR to be fully confident in the fact that God is waiting for them with open arms.  I must keep an open mind, a professional outlook, and trust that God knows his plan for me and for others. 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my reflections this past week, and I hope I didn’t depress anyone! This post was a sort of look inside my head and my heart, I hope I don’t bring any kind of discredit to myself or my profession. I am so looking forward to working with this population and I feel as though therapists working with Hospice are doing an AMAZING thing. 

I hope everyone has a great Sunday, and a wonderful week!

WAHOO IPAD!!!!!!!! Sorry to the intern who gets it next, you have a pink case, deal with it!

 

This place is starting to feel like home suite home!

Hey everyone! Happy August!

As I wrap up my first month here in OH I can’t believe how fast time is going!  Really it was only the first week that I was feeling homesick, only because I didn’t know ANYONE out here.  I’m starting to meet people, find really fun things to do, and actually learning to just CHILL OUT.  Any therapist will tell you self-care is beyond important..

I am pretty bummed I didn’t get a good beach trip this year though, but there are a couple little beaches around the lake I have to find time to go visit before it gets cold.  I am NOT looking forward to that quite yet, I am enjoying my walks to my car (20 minutes..crazy I know), walks to church, jogging after a long day, I just don’t want to be freezing yet!  I hear Ohio winters are a little rough, so care packages of hot chocolate and fuzzy sweaters won’t be turned away. ;)

This week was just great; I was out of the hospital and went to camp!  The camp was for children ages 6-13 on the Autism spectrum.  The theme of the camp was space explorers and each day we talked about different skills these kids need to be successful as they begin school again. Listening skills, behavior skills, anger and stress management, health and hygiene, and social skills were all addressed and on the last day, the children talked about God.

I was so proud of my co-intern and I, we had great ideas and I think we really made an impact on these kid’s week!  We used our music purposefully and to achieve the goal of the day.  For instance, the first day I had prepared a song for the older children and the one for the younger kids.  In these songs, I had a key word for them to listen for, and every time they heard the word they had to hold up the picture I gave them.  I rewrote the words to Nicki Minaj’s “Starships” and then used a song called “I don’t Want to Live on the Moon” adding lyrics about listening to the pilot, following directions, etc.  This allowed them to not only hear what skills we wanted them to know, but to have to execute them by holding up the pictures. 

All of the kids were wonderful, it is challenging at times to work with this population even if you are a professional.  Dealing with outbursts, concrete thinking, sensory sensitivities, we really had our work cut out for us, but it could not have gone better! 

Well, actually, one thing could have gone better; I had a minor moment of poor judgment.  I’m only going to tell you about this because, EVERYONE makes mistakes, so I might as well own up to mine.

The day of health and hygiene I wanted to talk about exercise with the older group.  Dancing is a form of exercise, so I taught them the wobble.  This was not the bad part, the kids loved it, they comprehended why we were doing it, and it was a very smooth ten or fifteen minutes.  But…me having a 22 year old brain, I put the actual song on the CD for the kids to take home.  I THOUGHT I edited it well enough, cutting out the bad words and an entire verse talking about, well, you get it.  Anyway, the song should not have been included on the CD at all, not appropriate.  Fortunately, the director of the camp and all the instructors gave us enough time to fix all the CDs so none of the kids got the dirty version of the CD. Then, everyone had a good laugh about it. So although it was embarrassing and made me feel pretty discouraged about being a professional, everything is a learning opportunity. 

 By the way, watching a group of 9-year-old boys shake their hips and do the wobble is just plain hilarity, and they knew it, those little hams.

 I am excited go back to my regular crazy weeks at the hospital on Monday but absolutely LOVED my week at camp, it's really starting to make me think I want to end up working with kids.

Hi to everyone back in VA I miss you, I am planning a trip home soon!

If You Can't Find Anyone To Sing With, Duet Yourself!

So, now that you have an understanding of how awesome Music Therapy is, lets move on.

 Second week of internship was a lot more enjoyable, I was able to get myself organized and get a handle of at least all the book work I am supposed to accomplish over the next six months.  I was also able to spend a lot more time on the floor and do a lot of observing and listening.

My favorite day this week was Tuesday.  I spent the day at another branch of UH and followed their MT.  We saw six patients, which is actually kind of a lot!  The most amazing thing I saw, which I will probably hold onto for the rest of my life, was a patient who was curled over in extreme pain and sobbing.  Unfortunately, this patient was not really able to communicate well.  Without hesitation, the MT and I went right in and started to play and sing.  I held her hand and harmonized with the therapist. We then realized she was not just having pain, she was extremely lonely. It took her a long time to start to calm down, the therapist tried many different techniques until she started singing and playing songs like Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” Tina Turner, Spirituals, things of that genre.  Immediately the patients affect turned around, she calmed down, even started singing (mouthing) the words!  I could not believe it, the nurses had been trying everything for this patient but nothing had worked, yet as soon as we found that outlet and her preferred music, we built a trusting relationship with her and she was able to lay back calmly and watch TV.  Not even ten minutes later, we heard this LOUD scream; it was the same patient.  Her bedding was being changed, and so was she.  With nurses cleaning her and moving her around, it was painful and traumatic.  We went back in and started singing and playing, right away she grabed the MT's hand and pointed at me and smiled.  She was still crying but was “singing” through it, and even kissed the therapist’s hand a couple of times.  By the end of the procedural cleaning and change, the patient was laughing along with the nurses.

It was truly amazing to see how we could enter this person’s world with music and connect with them when speech and other mediums were not working.  With that music, we were able to build a relationship, and provide support and comfort--not to mention, she forgot about her pain. 

Music Therapy is all based on preferred music.  We are not going to come in and force you to play a song by Justin Beiber if you like The Rolling Stones, it just doesn’t make sense!  Music Therapists have to build a repertoire of songs starting from the 1910’s to NOW so we can be ready for whoever comes our way.  Occasionally we find we may be at a little bit of a loss, such as when we’re asked to play heavy metal.  I was once told by a client that they prefer old school rap—good thing I knew a whole verse of a Biggie song and used it successfully. *Brushes shoulders off*  Knowing a huge range of music not only makes me a better musician, more well rounded in MY personal preferences, but obviously, a better therapist. 

I’ve yet to come across a client who prefers the same kind of music I do.  Well, besides the older generation who loves jazz and showtunes.  Otherwise, I’m still waiting for someone to want some, I don’t know, Gavin Degraw or some awesome alternative stuff. 

This brings me to a discussion I had with one of my supervisors on Friday, musical genres are becoming less and less specific.  For example, not only do you have rock, you have indie rock, alternative rock, 60’s rock..!!  That is going to change and challenge our field greatly.  We are going to have to learn so many more songs and genres to adjust to our future clients, because lets face it, we aren’t going to have too many more people telling us their favorite song is “5ft 2, Eyes of Blue."---> Alright MTs lets all start building our remixing skills!

Anyway, what I got out of my second week was that I need to start building my rep and also having the patience to figure out what speaks to each individual can be one of the most beneficial thing one can do in the therapeutic process.  Each week, no, each day continues to show me all the amazing things music therapy and music therapists can do.

Other things I learned:

         How to (functionally) play and tune an autoharp

         Improvisational skills on guitar

         Silence is OKAY!

         Listen. To. Everyone. (and RETAIN IT)

         Actions speak louder than words.

I will leave you with one of my preferred the songs which I am actually listening to right now.

 Dance With Me by The Sounds.

I’d be interested to know what YOUR preferred music is…leave a comment if you want tell me your favorite song or band/singer, perhaps I'll learn one and play it in a future blog post!

I hope everyone has an AMAZING week. Thanks for reading!

Although Louis Arm'strong Enough To Play A Trumpet, Would It Be Strong Enough To Be A Music Therapist?!

Week 2 was a success, although somehow it feels like week 20! Only in my second week, I feel as though I am growing as a professional, musician, therapist, and as a person!  And I would like to say, if I ever harped on you for not wanting to go out on a weeknight, I am sorry....working is exhausting! (Rough life, I know)

At times, I really feel I am one of the luckiest people! I get to help people all day long with music, the thing I may just love the most--besides family and all that jazz of course.

WAIT.
Before I go any further, it has come to my attention that perhaps you are not aware of what exactly I am trying to do and accomplish through this internship...this simply will not do and it is just crazy that I didn't start my blog with this nonsense--I suppose I'll have to write two entries this week.



So, you sing and make people feel better!? Thats so nice!
Um, that's not really it.

                                                        WHAT DO YOU EVEN DO!?

Music therapists have a degree and must pass a board certification test to become credentialed.  Music therapy is evidence based, and supported through research in our own journals and resources as well as medical, scientific, psychology, and education resources. 

"Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals." 
     -AMTA Website
http://www.musictherapy.org/

As a music therapist I obtain a referral and first assess a client/patient and based on the identified non-musical needs, weaknesses, or already set goals, I implement musical interventions (or activities-- we try not to use the word activity) like singing, moving, playing, listening, etc. to achieve and help those needs and goals!  Music processing does not have a specific area of the brain (unless you specifically look at hearing) so it can reach people in so many different and amazing ways. Music can affect the brain and the psyche differently because it is such an innate and biological thing to us as human beings.

We work with basically any kind of disability or population you can think of.  In my internship (to name a few) I am specifically working with:
-Cancer patients (pain, coping, procedural support, etc.)
-Clients with mood disorders
-Hospice
-Neurological hospitalizations
-SICU

In the future, I hope to do more research and work with the hearing impaired and NICU babies and families.

Overall, its an amazing field.  I encourage anyone to support it, do research on it, or just listen to me ramble about it.

Music Therapy in the media:  CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

Sing You Home (Book)

Musicohilia (Book)--not music therapy but awesome stories about music and the brain

The Music Never Stopped (Movie)

Senator Giffords (Her personal story of being shot and MT being a huge part of her road to recover)

There is so much more out there...but this should get you started!

It is NOT natural to be THAT sharp.

Well, I survived the first week!

It feels really good to be getting settled in and focused.  The first couple days were very administrative, but after that, it was time to dive in headfirst!

Everyone kept telling me, just breathe because the first week makes you feel like your head is going to explode—tons of information, assignment plans, expectations--everything thrown at you at once.  Now that it’s the weekend, it all seems doable with focus and hard work.  I’ll admit that school came a little easy to me, and I really didn’t put in 100% effort.  With this internship though, I know I have to put in every ounce of effort I’ve got.  Looking at everything I am supposed to accomplish over the next 5/6 months, I realized I am going to be an amazing therapist. I am definitely in the right place if I want to be ready for the professional world.

                                                             TOO LEGIT TO QUIT!

Things I’ve learned:

 I DO NOT have enough professional clothes. (oh darn, looks like I have to go shopping)

Mental health is scary and also one of the most interesting populations I am going to work with.

Everyone messes up.

The hospital cafeteria is actually pretty awesome.

Cleveland roads, are terrible, really, REALLY terrible.

SOB stands for “short of breath,” not…the other thing.

My co-intern is just awesome; she’s almost like another version of me, except a little more together because she’s been at it for 3 months already.  I hope I am as organized and successful as her when I become someone’s senior intern.  It’s nice to have her around to talk to, hang out, and ask questions, otherwise I may just be completely lost and a little lonely!

I have 4 supervisors, each one different and amazing in their own way.  Each also has their own specialty: psych, hospice, cancer, physical rehab, etc.

I’ve found my jogging route, have gotten myself downtown a few times, and I am starting to learn the ins and outs of Cleveland! (Finally made it to the rock and roll hall of fame—go there its pretty great)  The woman I live with is nothing but nice and each day gets better and easier.  Not only has my family been amazing these past 7 days, but my friends too.  Calling me, FaceTime-ing me, and I am SO thankful for that, that constant reminder that I’m loved, missed, and CAN do this!  I have people coming to visit me today as well as next weekend—I am too excited! 

Random cool story to wrap up:  A Korean film crew was following our department around because they are making a documentary about music therapy around the world.  The one guy who spoke English knew where Leesburg, VA was and said “Isn’t that the place with the huge outlet mall?”  Talk about a small world!
(Also, I guess I’ll be famous in Korea)

Anywho, that was the short, sweet, and scattered version of my week.  I have a feeling I could write an entire novel for each post, but I shall spare you. 

Have an amazing week everyone :)