Crap Sessions Lead to Creative Thoughts
One thing we don't talk about often is when music therapy sessions just simply do not work the way we want them to. I have learned that ignoring those crap sessions is NOT the way to go. When they happen, acknowledge them and then go into problem solving mode.
Here's my current experience.
For the past several weeks, some of my clients have hijacked the music therapy attempts going on and twisted it into something else. The group assignments aren't appropriate - there are kids that absolutely should not be stuck in a classroom together - but I have no say in how groups are decided. I am not alone in my struggles - the art therapist is having difficulty with the groups, teachers are having difficulties with the groups, other classroom staff members are struggling. There are struggles every where, but no solutions in sight.
Yesterday's session included screaming, obscenities, fists being shoved in faces, attempts at self-harm, lots of kids leaving the session due to disorganization in sensory modalities and trying to stave off further escalation. I couldn't do much of the therapy plan that was on paper - the clients were unable to do those things. I would get started on a coping skill/calming process and would not get everyone interested so some one would go off. The session ended, and I wanted to cry.
Crap sessions happen. This is a fact of life. There are times when I feel completely ineffectual in my role at my work. (These sessions aren't always stacked upon each other like they are now, but there are times when they do.) I am currently feeling that way right now about my job and my role - I'm not feeling very therapeutic these days.
The trick to these times is to take them and then learn from them.
So, I can't seem to get any type of therapy done in my afternoon groups these days, so the model that I'm using for those may need to be changed. Part of the issue is the classroom assignments. Some of the issue is attention span and impulsive nature of the clients. Some of the issue is that the kids have had to figure out where they fit in new classroom environments. Some of the issue is that I cannot vocally compete with screaming students. Some of the problem is that I do not have any space to get kids to move or to separate. All of these things are part of the problem. Another part of the problem? I'm feeling down and disgusted with myself in my role as therapist. I don't see any type of improvement or successful intervention these days.
I know that this will pass eventually, but it's never fun when it occurs.
Today is my day with no group sessions. I am going to use my time to try to brainstorm some new models for therapy that may help me get a group treatment model that will work better than this one does. At least I will have a chance to come up with some options to use in the midst of the chaos.
Yesterday's crap session may help me make tomorrow's session stronger. That's the thought that I am going hold onto during the end of this workweek from Hades!
Here's my current experience.
For the past several weeks, some of my clients have hijacked the music therapy attempts going on and twisted it into something else. The group assignments aren't appropriate - there are kids that absolutely should not be stuck in a classroom together - but I have no say in how groups are decided. I am not alone in my struggles - the art therapist is having difficulty with the groups, teachers are having difficulties with the groups, other classroom staff members are struggling. There are struggles every where, but no solutions in sight.
Yesterday's session included screaming, obscenities, fists being shoved in faces, attempts at self-harm, lots of kids leaving the session due to disorganization in sensory modalities and trying to stave off further escalation. I couldn't do much of the therapy plan that was on paper - the clients were unable to do those things. I would get started on a coping skill/calming process and would not get everyone interested so some one would go off. The session ended, and I wanted to cry.
Crap sessions happen. This is a fact of life. There are times when I feel completely ineffectual in my role at my work. (These sessions aren't always stacked upon each other like they are now, but there are times when they do.) I am currently feeling that way right now about my job and my role - I'm not feeling very therapeutic these days.
The trick to these times is to take them and then learn from them.
So, I can't seem to get any type of therapy done in my afternoon groups these days, so the model that I'm using for those may need to be changed. Part of the issue is the classroom assignments. Some of the issue is attention span and impulsive nature of the clients. Some of the issue is that the kids have had to figure out where they fit in new classroom environments. Some of the issue is that I cannot vocally compete with screaming students. Some of the problem is that I do not have any space to get kids to move or to separate. All of these things are part of the problem. Another part of the problem? I'm feeling down and disgusted with myself in my role as therapist. I don't see any type of improvement or successful intervention these days.
I know that this will pass eventually, but it's never fun when it occurs.
Today is my day with no group sessions. I am going to use my time to try to brainstorm some new models for therapy that may help me get a group treatment model that will work better than this one does. At least I will have a chance to come up with some options to use in the midst of the chaos.
Yesterday's crap session may help me make tomorrow's session stronger. That's the thought that I am going hold onto during the end of this workweek from Hades!
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