Advocacy –> Recognition –> Access

Since 2005, the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists have collaborated on a State Recognition Operational Plan. The primary purpose of this Plan is to get music therapy and our MT-BC credential recognized by individual states so that citizens can more easily access our services. The AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provide guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as they work towards state recognition. To date, their work has resulted in 35 active state task forces, 2 licensure bills passed in 2011, and an estimated 10 bills being filed in 2012 that seek to create either a music therapy registry or license for music therapy. This month, our focus is on YOU and on getting you excited about advocacy.

Many typical jobs and professions are relatively self-evident- mechanic, teacher, doctor, lawyer, chef, accountant, singer.  Others are a little less obvious but don’t raise eyebrows: project manager, consultant…  When your profession is “music therapist” you get raised eyebrows and questions.  The responses we get can be both exciting (“I really believe in that, how wonderful”) to insulting (“so, you didn’t have to go to college for that, did you?”)

Part of the life of a music therapist is knowing an adaptable “elevator pitch” that can satisfy the most skeptical and the most excited asker of the question “So, what is this music therapy thing”.  If we are lucky, we get 60 seconds to turn someone into a believer with our elevator pitch.  If we are really lucky, we get a few more minutes than that with the promise of a phone call or meeting to come.  AND if we are off the charts lucky we get a year like 2011.

2011, was the year that “our time has come” according to the AMTA Executive Director Andrea Farbman.  I am inclined to believe her too- this past year has seen a NY Times Bestseller featuring a MT-BC as a main character, and another very popular novel doing the same—and the promise of feature films in the future.  Then there was the movie “The Music Never Stopped” based on a true story, again prominently featuring music therapy.  Two states (Nevada and North Dakota) passed legislation licensing music therapists and recognizing our credential MT-BC.  Ben Folds attended our AMTA national conference so he could learn more about music therapy.  Finally, the recovery and continued rehabilitation of Rep. Gabby Giffords included music therapy as an important part of her treatment.

By the very nature of our profession we are advocates for the profession.  At Connecticut Music Therapy Services, practice we do this
-by providing the best possible clinical services to every client we work with
-by being generous with our time in educating the public about music therapy
-by creating quality jobs for excellent music therapists
-by working with AMTA on the Connecticut Task Force for State Recognition
-by volunteering our time contributing to our regional and national organizations

We are doing all of these things to provide access to music therapy to more people who need it!  We advocate for music therapy because our clinical experiences and the research all say it works- we know it deep down.  And when you know music therapy can help someone live a better life, heal, communicate, become more independent, and achieve health, why wouldn’t you want to remove every obstacle that stands in their way?

Advocacy goes far beyond our feelings over the “general public” not knowing what it is that we do.  Advocacy is about people who need music therapy being able to access music therapy, provided by qualified professionals, easily, with as few barriers as possible.  So we advocate and will keep on advocating.
And a funny thing happens- advocacy is contagious.  We music therapists believe it and act on it every day…then suddenly our co-workers, colleagues, administrators, clients….they become advocates too, with an equal level of passion

Our “time” may have come in 2011 but I think in 2012 the best is yet to come.

Connecticut Music Therapy Services has been fortunate to work with the Yes! Grace Rocks Foundation for the last several years.  Yes! Grace Rocks, Inc. provides support to families when their child is diagnosed with a brain tumor or brain injury.  Through their efforts children have received  music therapy as one of the integral therapies provided after brain surgery.

Each year YGR creates beautiful holiday cards and we wanted to share them with you.  You can view them here, or order them here.

100% of the proceeds of the Holiday Cards will directly support the mission of this 501c-3 non-profit organization.

Autism Families Connecticut is sponsoring another round of music therapy groups, called “Songs on the Spectrum” this time in South Windsor CT.  Groups begin on 11/19.  For more information, check out their events here.

Connecticut Music Therapy Services is proud to partner with Autism Families CONNECTicut to provide affordable, community-based music therapy groups!  A 3-week group in Simsbury, CT begins this Saturday, 10/22!

For More information, click here

By Jonathan Romond, MT-BC

Beginning in my music therapy internship and continuing into my professional work with Connecticut Music Therapy Services, I have witnessed firsthand the benefits of music therapy in working with persons with dementia.  The DSM-IV states that the essential feature of a dementia is the development of multiple cognitive deficits that include memory impairment and at least one of the following cognitive disturbances: aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or a disturbance in executive functioning.  It can be said that the majority of the goals addressed in music therapy with persons with dementia would fall under the cognitive domain.  If we consider that many persons with dementia reside in assisted living or hospital settings it would be appropriate to also address goals that fall under the social, communication, and emotional domains in order to improve overall quality of life.  In my experience I have found that these four domain areas could be addressed within one interactive vocal experience utilizing a 4-step process.

First, the therapist will address the cognitive needs of the client by playing only the melody of a chosen song.  The therapist will then observe the client’s response (Is he/she humming or singing the melody?).   I have found that songs which are short in length and have a simple melody (i.e. “You Are My Sunshine,” “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”) are most effective.  If a song is too long, or its melody is too complex, the more difficult it would be for the client to recall the melody and/or lyrics.  The next step would be for the therapist to sing the song with a simple chordal accompaniment providing the client with an opportunity to recall the song’s lyrics.

In order to provide the client with an emotional outlet, the therapist would then replay the song encouraging the client to sing on his/her own.  It may be necessary to provide the client with vocal support by singing only the first words of each line and allowing him/her to complete the vocal line.  Finally, to address the social and communicative needs of the client, the therapist and the client will sing the song together one last time.  At this point the client has had the opportunity to recall the melody, lyrics, and rhythm of the song.  The cooperative singing between the client and therapist provides a strong sense of accomplishment for the client and brings closure to the experience.

Whether you’re singing the blues or joining in the “Hallelujah Chorus” about back-to-school time, it is important to remember that since it is a time of transition for kids, there is a lot of new and different routines for them to learn about and navigate.  Here are three ways you can help ease this transitional time.

1) Mix it up with a mix CD.  If you drive your child to school in the morning or [therapies, lessons, sports] in the afternoon, think about creating a CD together with your child.  Fire up your iTunes playlist, and ask your child to choose songs that make him/her feel happy.  Intermingle those with a few of your favorites as well for an easier commute.

2) Ask your child to share songs that they are learning in school and sing them together at bedtime.  If this is difficult for your child, you can also request that a note be sent home with this information.  This puts your child in the “teacher” role and supports their self-esteem.

3) Wind down together.  If your child comes home from school with some extra energy the way mine often does, consider finding some quiet or soothing music and pair it up with coloring or cozy up with a book together.  Your selection can be any type of music, it doesn’t have to be classical, it can be any kind of music that you find relaxing!  Having music as a natural, regular part of your environment is also great way to expose your child to a wide range of genres and artists.

CTMTS will be providing music therapy groups at The Kings Speech and Learning Center in Simsbury, CT this fall.   We will also be at their grand opening celebration on Friday, September 23, 5-7 P.M.  Emily Pellegrino sat down with owner and Speech/Language Pathologist Judy Rosenfield to learn more about her and her center.

 EP: Where did you get your Education and training?

JR: I received my Bachelor of Arts from University of Connecticut, and my Master of Arts from The Ohio State University. I then started my Ph.D. from  the University of Pittsburgh, but decided not to finish when I became more interested in the clinical side of my profession. I received my post graduate clinical training at the West Haven V.A. Center, The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, and University Hospitals of Cleveland.  Read more…

EP: What inspired you to become a Speech and Language Pathologist?

JR: I knew I wanted to pursue a career in human services, so I began observing various porfessions including my mother in her role as a  nurse, and my father on the job as an elementary school principal. I also remember volunteering in high school at lunchtime to assist a peer with  speech and swallowing problems due to cerebral palsy. I liked the satisfaction of giving up my time to help someone, and really enjoyed her company. My positive volunteer  experience was a significant factor in my choice to study speech-language pathology.

EP: Tell me a little about Wait Your Turn and The Kings Speech and Learning Center.

JR: Wait Your Turn, LLC was formed to respond to the increased incidence of pragmatic language issues (social communication skills, or how one uses language), at a time of  decreased school based intervention. The phrase “wait your turn” refers to an adult strategy that is taught to provide the child with increased opportunities to speak. So, it really refers to a technique used to structure give and take in an interaction , and balance out  conversations, so two people are each contributing equally to the exchange. My business started  growing out of the name as it was getting more and more teens and adults, and a greater variety of  speech and language problems.

I then started  planning for a  larger  space to accommodate a multidisciplinary practice that offered music therapy, occupational therapy, sign language, drama, and specialized tutoring.   I thought of  naming the center after the movie, “The King’s Speech” to depict the image of doing whatever it takes as a trainer to foster  success in each individual client.  I came up with “King’s Speech and Learning Center” to appeal to all ages.

EP: What makes your practice different than other practices in the area?

JR: We emphasize the importance of parent training when working  with children, and go out of our way to guide the parents in finding solutions to the issues that affect family dynamics, home management of the child, and  social- emotional well being.
We are there to fill in the gaps from what the child is receiving at school, or other outside sources. Often times, it is the social piece that needs to be managed.  

With our adult clients, we focus on the functional aspects of speech and language challenges,  including job performance, social confidence, and public speaking skills.

EP: Is there anything else you want people to know about you or your practice?

JR: That we are willing to speak to groups of parents,  educators, and/or health care professionals to share our expertise.

I  should also mention that we help bilingual families with language development issues and provide services to second language learners to improve speech pronunciation grammar and vocabulary.  

You can learn more about King’s Speech and Learning Center at their website, kingsspeechandlearning.com

We are offering a special sign-up discount to new clients (of all ages!) who sign up for services between 8/1/11 and 9/15/11. They will receive one session free, credited on their second month of service.  If you’d like to learn more or to sign up, please make an appointment to talk with us here or send us an email at info@ctmusictherapy and we’d be happy to answer any of your questions!  Just mention this blogpost to lock in your special discount!

You can download the article here: Provider, Mar2011-1

By Emily Pellegrino, MT-BC

Are you someone who is looking to promote positive connections for an older adult in your life?  Would you like to find a way to maintain close family bonds as your parent or grandparent ages? This week we’d like to talk about how music therapy can help promote emotional intimacy when spouses and families share creative music experiences.

We often observe spouses who are living in the same nursing home, but have very little contact with one another due to differences in their mental and physical health needs.  One example that comes to mind are a husband and wife who were at different stages of Alzheimer’s, the wife still able to verbally communicate and socialize, and her husband who was non ambulatory and hadn’t spoken much more than a word or two for several years.  Music had been a huge part of their marriage whether it was going to the symphony, dancing, or singing with their 3 children during a trip cross country.  The two participated in weekly music therapy sessions which soon became the highlight of their week.  During these sessions they would hold hands and join the music therapist in singing familiar songs.  The husband who rarely spoke would even sing words or phrases to songs like “Take me out to the ball game,” or “Let me call you sweetheart.”  Often, children and grandchildren would join the music therapy sessions, reflecting on memories that the music evoked, and sharing how special it was to see their parents engaging in something together.

If you would like to learn more about how music therapy services can help improve the quality of life of your loved one please contact us, and stay tuned to read more in the months to come about how music therapy services can benefit the older adult in your life.