music, therapy, and me

This post is dedicated to the things that I love...   Sleepy cats - This is the look that I get when I am flashing the camera when her highness is trying to sleep. Don't you love the personalities that animals convey? My music room (the view from my desk) - When my facility decided to make a new gymnasium wing, I was asked what I wanted in a possible music room. My answer, "SPACE." I got almost everything I asked for and am grateful every day I get to work in this beautiful music room! Mandalas and other Word Art - One of my favorite forms of relaxation is to doodle words and small pictures. This is one of my offerings from the past year. There is nothing that I like better than a blank piece of white drawing paper, a big box of markers, and some time to just cover the paper with words. J's Rainbow - Shortly after a young client of mine passed away, I saw this beautiful stormy morning and this glorious rainbow. The child's teacher always ref...

Check out this post by Gretchen Rubin, who is not my inspiration, but may be someone I start to follow: http://happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2011/03/from-ray-bradbury-love-what-you-love/ The combination of Happiness Project and Ray Bradbury really called to me. I love Ray's comment to his young fan about loving what YOU love regardless of what others think. My happiness initiative is in its third or fourth week - I actually have forgotten. I am trying the best that I can to focus on positives - hot days? An excuse NOT to go outside! Cranky clients? An opportunity to rejoice in the clients that are pleasant and a joy to be around. The strange communication from the principal that makes little sense to me?? Hmmm. I am getting ready for the next in my series of webinars for music therapists. It will happen on Thursday evening and should be pretty fun. If you are interested, look at www.musictherapyworks.com for details on how to register. Keep seeking happiness!

I have a "go-to" song that I use in therapy sessions when I need to get behaviors under control - my behaviors and those of my students. I learned a version of this folk song at my internship at the Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies, Inc. in Phoenix. Arizona, and have used it many, many, MANY times over the years. I use it for its repetitive nature, its opportunity for some social interaction, and for its familiarity to me. I can sing and play this song on autopilot - a skill that allows me to think more about how I need to adapt the song to manage behaviors rather than the music I am presenting. Now, my version of the song is simple. Old Joe Clark, he built a house, sixteen stories high, And every story in that house was filled with chicken pie. Rock and a rock, Old Joe Clark, Rock and a rock, I say. Rock and a rock, Old Joe Clark, we ain't got time to stay. Being of a curious nature this morning, I decided to see if there was more information about ...

My current blog themes vary between my current happiness initiative and creativity. Today's blog post will be creativity-based as I am currently a bundle of energy in search of a project. Do you ever get that way? Now, I enjoy lots of different creative projects. I like to sew, craft, paint, sing, compose, write, draw, you name it! I am a jack-of-all crafts, master of none. This lack of specialization allows me to dabble in lots of things allowing me to find things to do that challenge my current mood. Right now, I am without a specific project or goal in mind. So, it's time to start brainstorming... WARNING: Creative process and stream of consciousness writing ahead! Proceed at your own risk!! I bought three pencil pouches yesterday at the Dollar Tree (love that store!). This got me started thinking about contained activity packets for my M-ee (Music-enhanced education) products...a pencil pouch with three to four therapeutic musical experiences (TMEs), small file fold...

It is summertime - officially now - and we can feel it here. The past three days have been hot, humid, and windy. The kids are restless, the staff members are cranky, and there may not be a break in the near future. As a result, we are starting to get the summertime blues. What are the summertime blues you may ask? According to Wikipedia... " Summertime Blues " is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American rockabilly artist Eddie Cochran . It was written in the late 1950s by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart . Originally a single B-side, it was released in August 1958 [1] and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 29, 1958 and number 18 on the UK Singles Chart . It has been covered by many artists, including being a number-one hit for country music artist, Alan Jackson , and a notable hit for the English rock band, The Who .     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_Blues In my reality, the summertime blues manifest thems...

I had a chance to run therapy groups today. This may sound like a natural thing for a therapist to do during her workday, but I am now supervising two interns, so my work load is pretty much split between the two of them. I don't get much time to make music with my clients these days - I spend most of my time with a clipboard, taking notes, and offering constructive criticism. I ran two therapy groups and an individual session today. Another group canceled and the guitar lesson folks did not show up. Today, I had a meeting with the director of therapeutic services for our psychiatric residential treatment facility's residential side of things. Now, you would think that this would be a natural progression for a music therapist, but I am hired by the school rather than by the residential facility. So, after 16 years at the facility, I finally had a conversation with a person who kinda knows what I do and can kinda understand. Kinda. I started some targeted goal groups thi...

The only promise that I make for my interns is, "There will always be chocolate." I cannot promise that I will always be the most effective supervisor, that my attitude will always be positive, or that I will be able to be a good example of a music therapist all the time. I can, however, always promise that chocolate is available when it is needed. Darth M stands watch over my stash! My love affair with chocolate started when I was just a small child. My mother potty-trained me with the use of M&Ms. One use of the toilet = one M&M. She used to watch me when I was not aware and states that I only took one M&M after I was finished each and every time. That love affair has just continued as I have become older. I have started a personal reinforcement schedule involving housework and chocolate. Each morning I establish a task that needs to be completed. At the end of the day, if I have completed my task, I get some chocolate. If not, no chocolate. My kitche...