Spread the Word...

...to end the Word.



It's a serious matter. Help me spread the word to end the word.

The 5 Steps to a Successful Termination

As my last day at Music Therapy Services is quickly approaching, (June 21st) I have already started the termination process with my clients. Here are the 5 steps to make the termination process a success:

1. Announce it is going to end
This is the reason why it's ending. In my case, I'm moving. Make sure you, as a therapist, are emotionally ready and stable to let your clients know. Feelings will come up*.
2. Set a time frame
How many more sessions will the client/group have with you? Perhaps hand out calendars or make a visual aide depending on how they process information. I gave some of my older clients iCalendars with a countdown (ie. Two weeks left, one week left, last music together). During sessions with some of my younger clients, I use a picture schedule, with a picture of me for each week remaining.
3. Have a Plan
How will we use the remaining time together? Do we need to change our expectations of each other? What sorts of interventions should be implemented in the last several weeks?
4. Review what our goals have been
What sorts of goals and objectives have we been focusing on? Have they been successful? Should they be updated in order to meet that goal within the allotted time frame?
5. Plan new music opportunities for the rest of your time together
Plan and schedule interventions that will allow for closure. Maybe an intervention that allows a 'gift' to be provided after you go your separate ways. Things such as CD's, music videos, DVD's, recordings, song-writing interventions are always appropriate. Your final session is when you say your final goodbyes and present a 'gift' to your client.


* Identify and Express Feelings: Whether this be verbally or musically. Hopefully you have spent enough time with your client that you are able to identify signs of anger, denial, sadness, frustration. If unable to verbally express, plan interventions that will allow expression through music (drum improvisation, music listening, song writing, drawing/coloring to music, etc).

*Encourage and Empower the client: Let them know they'll be okay on their own, without you. If possible, always refer your clients to another music therapist, and process the transition with them. If not, let them know that although we won't be seeing each other, we will always remember the times we've had together. This is where the 'gift' makes it easier for a younger client.

Next post I'll discuss the three things you should tell your client before you say goodbye.

A Beautiful Goodbye

May and June always seem like the start of the goodbyes, or the endings. To start, we have TV show's season finales, where we'll all have to wait until next fall to see what happens to our favorite characters. Probably the biggest goodbye on TV this week was Oprah's last and final episode...her show ran for 25 years. American Idol and Dancing with the Stars also announced their winners.



And in my case, I have been announcing to all of my clients that I will soon be leaving. It definitely isn't the easiest thing I've had to do. Within music therapy, the process of termination is so important. When done correctly, the client and music therapist can have a sense of closure, can reflect on their time spent together, and can hope for something together for the future.

When I told one of my clients I was moving to California, after the initial shock, I asked him how he felt. He said, "Well, I guess I'll get a new music therapist (then he paused) but just because I won't see you doesn't mean we can't still keep in touch." I definitely agreed and commended him for being so mature about the whole situation (he's 10). He then went into an in depth discussion about the best way to contact him LOL! I definitely wasn't prepared by this reaction, but was pleasantly surprised, and once again I learned something from a client.

In my next post, I'll talk about the appropriate steps for termination.

Art

Well, duh.





Source: misterrwc

Bella's Birthday Bash

Today is Bella's Birthday Bash in Orange County, CA. I honestly wish I could be in CA right now so that I can attend this huge party to remember Bella, who passed away in October from complications during her EB treatment.

If you aren't following Bella's Blessings, please check out Tim and Ang's blog to see how you can help.

Tim has also started a texting campaign. Tim says:

Remember, you can donate $5 simply by texting BELLA to 50555. Easy, right?

As I leave you today, here is a video of Bella and Ali partaking in some pilates!




Happy Saturday!

A Little About Me, A Little About You

I've just recently begun this whole blog and twitter thing...and as I become to start to make relationships with other bloggers and tweeters (?) I find that it is very impersonal. That being said, JoAnn Jordan posted this after seeing this from Michelle Erfurt.

So, if you're interested in learning more about me, continue reading!


A picture of my husband and me circa 2009


* Making: An outline for a "Career Day" presentation I'm giving at one of my best friend's school, Summit Academy, 8th grade class.
* Cooking: Nothing right now, but will be making chicken stir fry with brown rice and edamame for my husband tonight for [his Birthday] dinner!
* Drinking: Sparkling Raspberry flavored water.
* Reading: "Music Therapy in Pediatric Medicine" by David E. Wolfe and Eric G. Waldon. I'm putting together a proposal for music therapy in a pediatric medical setting, focusing on children with epilepsy and those undergoing radical brain surgery. Dr. Wolfe was a mentor of mine at Chapman University.
* Wanting: To get home to my hubby.
* Looking: Outside at the sunshine. It is finally not raining!
* Playing: Nothing. But thinking of Adele's 21 album.
* Wasting: Time.
* Wishing: To be on a Caribbean cruise with my family (only 5 weeks).
* Enjoying: The quiet morning, painting this. It's almost done, Ryan.
* Waiting: For the day we arrive back in CA! June 10th or 11th!
* Liking: The way my hair looks today.
* Wondering: What the future holds in terms of my career.
* Loving: The warmer weather.
* Hoping: To one day own my own private music therapy practice.
* Marveling: At the change I'm going through, the change my family is going through.
* Needing: Nothing in particular.
* Smelling: My baked Doritos. nom nom.
* Wearing: Flip flops (yay) khakis and a pink ruffly top.
* Following: American Idol.
* Noticing: The clock ticking.
* Knowing: I will be missed at my current job.
* Thinking: I should get back to work.
* Opening: My husband may be opening birthday cards. Me, nothing :)
* Giggling: At my husband for freaking out about turning 25!
* Feeling: Content.

Google Chrome

What a great advertisement Google has just come up with promoting "Google Chrome." The first thing I thought of though, after getting past the initial "this is adorable", was the music. Listen to it without the sound and it doesn't nearly have the same effect.



As a music therapist, I constantly think about how music makes a difference. Music is all around us and sometimes we don't even know it's there, but without it, things would be a lot different.

Just a thought.

Change

That's a big word. For me at least.

Change is something that I try to avoid at all costs. But this one, this change, I know it's going to be good.

Here's the change: My husband and I are moving (back) to California. We're Californians at heart and that's where we were both raised. Although we have enjoyed our time here in Cincinnati, we really couldn't be happier about leaving.

I have just told my current boss that I will be leaving in six weeks. Rachel (check out her amazing blog here) recently wrote a post that I totally related to. Giving up Hope resonated with me because that was something I had to deal with myself. I emailed Rachel and asked for some advice, tips, and things she did when she herself resigned. So, thank you Rachel for sincere kindness in providing me support and the words of wisdom I needed. Although it was a day I have been dreading, my boss took the news surprisingly well and has already offered to write me a letter of recommendation.

Phew. I am relieved that it went so well.

Many changes are still coming my way...and I'll update you as I start to process them myself.

Daddy and Daughter

I know this video isn't new but it touches my heart every time I see it!



And..I love Ellen :)

Today is Monday

Well, today is actually Friday the 13th...but this post is about a book called "Today is Monday." You can find the book here for purchase from Amazon. I am currently using this book as a method to teach my preschoolers the days of the week. Not only does it have awesome illustrations, but it also includes the sheet music in the back so you can sing the lyrics.



You might recognize Eric Carle for his illustration seen below:



The Very Hungry Catepillar is a childhood classic!

Andrew over at the MTI in the ATL helped me the other day when I needed a days of the week song that started on a Monday. Since the book starts on a Monday, to keep consistent, my other songs/materials should also start on a Monday. Thanks for your help, Andrew.

Michelle Obama Doing 'The Dougie' & 'The Running Man' Dances (Official V...

Get the Kids Moving

My boss just sent me a great link to Beyonce and Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign. I do a few Movement and Music groups, which focus on, what else...moving to the music. These particular clients live rather sedentary lifestyles, making them great candidates for this group. My entire sessions are planned to keep them moving and get their heart rates pumping. We have done dances to Elvis, The Black Eyed Peas and are currently working on a Michael Jackson dance to "The Way You Make Me Feel." My first steps in creating a dance are:

- Get the client's input - What songs do you want to dance to? I usually bring in three songs and then let them vote on which one they want.

- Watch the music video (if appropriate) - This way, they can see the moves the singer and back up dancers are doing and get an idea of dance moves they might want to do.

- Let each client decide on at least one dance move - It's their dance, right? Let them decide what moves they want to do! :)

- Write the moves down, or video - I can't tell you how much this helps from week to week to remember the dance steps...I'm one to forget!

- Rehearse - It will take them some time to get the sequencing and moves down, as well as to get the dance moves in sync with each other.

- Record - Once the dance is mastered, use your handy dandy flip camera and record their performance.

- Share - Make DVDs of their dance so they have a final product to show their families, peers, and support staff. Even better, perform it for an audience.

Beyonce has adapted her song "Get Me Bodied," and made a video and song called "Move Your Body."

Click here for the link to the article and videos.


There is also an instructional video to help teach your students/clients the dance moves. I can't wait to share this with my clients--they will be excited to learn from Beyonce and they really enjoy watching videos as well.