music, therapy, and me

I am sure, that by now at least, you have heard about the mass shooting that took place in Orlando Florida in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016. I refuse to dwell on details or commentary on what happened, why it happened, or what is wrong with our country that these types of things continue to happen, but I do want to respond with something. For me, I react to tragic events like this in several different ways. My responses are my own and not right for everyone, but here's how I respond. Here's what I won't do today. I will not change my picture on Facebook. I will not post any rhetoric whether I agree with it or not. I will not publicly acknowledge or debate any issue related to this tragedy. I will not unfriend someone from social media unless they are so offensive that I simply cannot continue to consider their opinions. Here's what I will do today.  I am pray ing . I will take some time today to pray for those who were involved in the tragedy. For ...

Happy Sunday! It's time to talk visual aids, and here are the ones that I'm using this upcoming week. It's notation week in my clinic, so we are going to work on rhythm notation by using these pieces to explore patterns.  Here's how we're going to use them this week.  If you look over the Supplemental Sunday posts from the past, you'll see that I've referenced using boxes in music therapy group treatment. We used the boxes for the first time this week, and they worked as I expected them to work. Kids were able to complete tasks - some with assistance, others independently. Our opening check-in took less time (initial purpose), and I had the opportunity to assess whether my clients could complete the particular task. This week, we will also be using the boxes to help us organize. I will sort the rhythm wheel pieces out so there are enough pieces for 3 entire rhythm wheels. My clients will use the pieces however they want to use them. I will try to k...

I did it! The next edition of sing about songs is finished and ready for distribution. This is the sixth collection of therapeutic music experiences (TMEs) that I've put together, and I am still having fun getting these going! If you are interested in more information or in getting a copy of this TME collection, please visit the website for payment information. Thanks, all! mj  

I am going to go into a rant now. This rant has nothing to do with music therapy - at least on the surface - but it's something that has been brewing for some time. I hate politics. There is nothing about the political system here in the United States that I enjoy except for the bliss that happens the day when the all the votes have been counted and there's nothing else that anyone can do about it. That bliss doesn't last for long, though. As soon as all of the votes are counted, people start complaining. It's absurd. Now, I am not going to tell you anything about my political leanings, about who I am going to vote for during this election, or try to convince you that my way is the only way. That's not what I do. I am going to encourage those of you who are also living in the US and eligible to vote to do so. That's it. Instead, I am going to continue to write and write about my disgust with our system. I wish that there were strict guidelines for el...

It's the Extended School Year (ESY) at my facility, and we are back in the swing of things right now. The classroom next to my music therapy room is full of children who scream at each other ALL THE TIME. (The "soundproofing" that I was promised during the renovation did not - hmm - actually happen. I can hear everything they do and they can hear everything I do.) Kids aren't as happy about being back at school as they were on day one. Now we all want to be sleeping in. I blame the sunshine and the swimming. In our sessions this week, we are talking about rock bands, listening for specific instruments, throwing balls into drums (and a bit at each other as well), and playing Treble Clef (a game based on Hangman). We're trying to get back into the groove of being at school after two weeks off. We're also juggling swim schedules and 4-H and summer movies at the community center. Just about the time we get the hang of our ESY schedule, it will be time to move b...

I have spent most of the last hour trying to come up with something to write about. Nothing has really struck a chord with me, so this may be a day where the post is short. I'm kind of in a funk this week. I'm not exactly sure why, but I have my suspicions. Anyway, I am half-way through my work week and have two days left before a three-day weekend. That is a bit of something to look forward to during these gray-type days (even though the sun is shining down). I think that I will go to the local lake for some water-adjacent relaxation this weekend. Some sunscreen, water to drink, sound of small waves, and a place to relax is what I think I need at this point. That may help my funk find a way out and away from me. I'll take myself back into my funk and find my way out for the rest of this week. Hopefully I'll have a more palatable topic for tomorrow...

... all that matters is what the client and the therapist do with the music. It's that time again. People are asking questions like, "What song should I use with such and such population?" Many of these folks are new professionals or students, but at the moment, these type of posts are happening more and more in my social media feeds. I have difficulty answering these questions in a way that doesn't come off as condescending or just plain old snotty. So, I don't answer. Instead, I save my thoughts and comments for this blog. Now, let me preface this post with some disclaimers... I do share lots of songs with you all, but I don't feel that sharing songs makes the process music therapy. Let me explain. I purposefully title all of these offerings as Therapeutic Music Experiences (TMEs) rather than Music Therapy Interventions/Experiences, etc. This is because I can offer an experience that may have therapeutic benefit for someone, but it is the job of th...