Thoughtful Thursday: How Are Things Going, Music Therapist??

First, Happy World Music Therapy Week!!

Did you know that we celebrate an international music therapy focus week - check out this wonderful advocacy resource from the World Federation of Music Therapy!!

So, fellow music therapist, celebrate yourself this week. Celebrate what is great about being a music therapist. Celebrate what is challenging about all of this profession. Take some time to just enjoy clients and the interactions that you have this week.

We are our best advocates. If we love this job, then our many of our clients will like what we do with them (not everyone, especially if you are in a situation like mine where clients have to be present, but many). As we move through our therapist-lives, we change things, often without seeing the ongoing results. How is that!

Second, how are you doing?

One of the things that I often feel is isolation. I am the only music therapist at my facility. I no longer participate in many music therapy organization things. I tend to be content to be in my little corner of the professional world, but that means that I am not as connected with the rest of you out there.

I am doing pretty well these days. Other than allergies and smoke from the fires burning in my state (prescribed range burning - it's a thing out where I live), things are pretty good. I am doing my job, trying to rest lots, and am constantly seeking more and better. I have occasional panic twinges about our near and far future as a citizen of this country, but I am able to work through them.

I hope you are doing well.

One of the things that makes me very sad is when I hear of a music therapist who has decided that they can no longer be a music therapist because they are feeling isolated, frustrated, and/or burnt out. There is lots of isolation in a profession where we are far between, but there can also be great connections as well. 

If you are a music therapist who wants connection, let's start here. Let me know in the comments. I would love to talk to you about all things music therapy - the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the challenges, the considerations - all of it.

I hope that you are able to head into this World Music Therapy Week with a spring in your step. I am going to try...

Comments

  1. Thank you for this heartfelt post! Your words resonate deeply—being the only music therapist at a facility can feel isolating. Celebrating our work, even in the challenges, is so important. I'd love to connect and share this journey together!

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