TME Tuesday: How I Describe My Process to Other Music Therapists

So, as you know if you have been reading my blog for some time, I have a way that I organize my ideas into therapeutic music experiences (TMEs - my verbiage for the things that I do with my clients during our sessions). It is a way that helps me reflect on my processes, music and use of musical elements, and how I can assist my clients in reaching their goals. This form and process has changed over the years - stretched to accommodate my understanding of music as a therapeutic medium as well as contracting to change how I present said ideas to others. It continues to do so, but the basic structure is the same.

For today's post, I am showing you how I explain this process to other music therapists. This is a written medium, so it seems a bit dry when reading, but I hope that this resource offers you some insight into what each section means for me when I am sitting down to design TMEs for my clients and for other clients out in the world.

Comments, reactions, and questions are always welcome!

Therapeutic Music Experience Explanation 

 Purpose:       This is where you identify all of the therapeutic skills and elements that you will be addressing. (e. g., To increase eye contact; name recognition; peer identification; fine motor control; entrainment; impulse control) This needs to be a complete list. 

 Source:       This is where you cite the source of the application. You need to completely reproduce all information about the composer, the lyricist, and the person that first presented the application to you. Make an effort to find the original composers of all songs – look songs up on the internet for potential source material. If the application/song is your original work, then protect yourself by affixing a copyright symbol to the music that you compose. Include a date. 

 Materials:       List all of the things that you (or future therapists who are replicating this application) will need during the session. Do not forget accompanying instruments, specific CD titles and track numbers as well as CD players, electricity, etc.

 Song/Chant/Words: Insert a picture of your music manuscript. If you cannot insert your manuscript, then add a hyperlink to the file so it is easily accessed by others. Also, if you cannot add your manuscript, include the lyrics and the chords to the song.

 Procedure: R=Reinforcement opportunities; C=Redirection/Cue opportunities; A=assessment

  1. This is the section where you perform a task analysis of the application.
  2. You need to think through all of the steps that you will take, that the client will complete, and the possible responses that you will have as options.
  3. Write them down.
  4. Most procedures are very long.
  5. Include times that you will provide reinforcements and times when you will provide redirections

Therapeutic Function of Music:       Describe why you would use music to accomplish the tasks/purposes identified at the start of the TME. What elements of the music itself assist you in completing the skill development of clients? What elements of the music have to remain constant in order to be effective in accomplishing the goals? What elements of music can change to accommodate the ways clients interact with you and with the music? Can this TME be used with different forms/musical pieces? If so, what are the criteria for choosing music for this TME? 

Melody

Pitch

Rhythm

Dynamics

Harmony

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form

Tempo

Timbre

Style

Lyrics

 

 

 

 

 

Chart adapted from Hanson-Abromeit, D. (2010). A Closer Look at the Therapeutic Function of Music. Presentation at 2010 American Music Therapy Association National Conference: Cleveland, OH.

 Adaptations:       What could you, as the therapist, do to make this TME work with different populations? If a client enters the session on his/her first day, what can you do to make sure that the client is successful? How do you need to change the TME so all of your clients are able to complete the tasks?

 Extensions:       Imagine that the clients are able to complete all of the tasks that you have identified in this TME in two minutes, and you still have 30 minutes left of the session. How could you change the TME to provide more practice without boring the client? What is the next step in skill development? What would be a natural “next step” to the TME.

Let me know what you think. Is this something that you could adapt for yourself easily? Thanks for reading! I'm off to get some gasoline for the car, do five groups, finish documenting yesterday's sessions, and then get home to enjoy the darkness. See you later.

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