Music and Music Therapy Helps Teen Fair Victim Rebuild

I came across this post today and thought I would share it. It's about a teenager who became paralyzed after the Indiana Fair accident before a concert.



Click HERE to read the article.

I think it is important that hospitals nationwide offer music therapy in hopes to connect with a patient, make them smile, and make them feel worthy.

My New Job

I am very excited to announce that I have been offered a full-time music therapy job (with benefits!) at a facility in Irvine. Let me tell you the story of how I created this job opportunity for myself...


My job search started in late July, early August. I really wanted to wait until we were settled back in California to start the search, mostly because it is so time consuming. Once I finally started looking online, there were no music therapy postings anywhere. Uh oh. No need to panic, I signed up as a TakeLessons instructor, got a contract for a company down in San Juan Capistrano, and a contract for the Children's Music Fund. By no means was this going to pay the bills.

I started searching Craigslist and came across numerous companies hiring for speech therapists, behavior therapists and occupational therapists. Unfortunately, and obviously, I didn't qualify. However, a thought came across my mind. Why not offer my services to these companies that offer amazing therapies that go hand in hand with what I do? I had to be creative. And that's what I did. I emailed various companies in the Orange County area offering music therapy. I included a cover letter, resume, recommendation letters...the whole shebang.

You know what? It worked. All it took was one hit (and several interviews and meetings) and now I have a full-time job.

I will be working as a music therapist for a facility that offers speech, occupational and behavioral therapies. I am starting from nothing, starting a program I have always wanted to start, fulfilling my dream on someone else's dime. And most importantly, I will be working with kids with Autism, making a difference one smile at a time.

Update 4: "The Next Chapter"

It's been a while since I talked about music therapy on this "music therapy" blog of mine. Ending my job in Cincinnati back in June allowed me to have a nice summer of traveling, moving, and getting settled in Southern California. Many things have happened since the traveling stopped.

We moved to Orange, California. Our new home is right across the street from this place, 2 miles from this place, and 4 miles from this place . Yay!

We got a puppy! We rescued a 4-month old MaltiPoo named Poppy and have fallen in love! Caring for a puppy is a full-time job in and of itself! Phew!


Poppy the puppy

The next big announcement is: I got a job! I can't wait to tell you all about it in the next post.

Update 3: Vegas!

Our last stop on our long trek back to California was Vegas. We love Vegas, but someone has made Vegas even more exciting, and that is Teren's best friend, RCorry. He moved out there in March to start working for the Smith Center. Hubby and I were very excited to see him and Rachel in Vegas, catch up, gamble, sun bathe, and shop. To our surprise, our friends Trent, Amanda and Jeff were there, too! Sneaky RCorry.



Jeff and me (that was a very nice bathrobe)



The girls!



The boys!



All of us in the elevator

Up next: "The Next Chapter"

Update 2: Wisconsin for 4th of July

Wisconsin was our first stop on our long haul from Cincinnati to California. You may be wondering...why Wisconsin? It's not really the most direct way...

Well, I have family there! We spent the 4th of July with my Grandma (who is 93!), Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. We had a blast! My family is from a little town called Hazel Green, Wisconsin (located in the south west corner). We spent the 4th on the Mississippi, at a parade, and at a local town, Shullsburg.



At the parade!


Teren and Layla on the Mississippi


Fireworks in Shullsburg


My Grandma with her great grandchild (my cousin's son)

I love the 4th of July :)

Update 1: Caribbean Cruise

On my last post found here, I talked about things that I was excited about. The first one was my family's Caribbean Cruise.

We had an amazing time (to say the least). We enjoyed Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas" boat and went to Haiti, Jamaica, and Cozumel. Take a look at some of our pictures!


On the "Boardwalk"



My hubby and me at dinner



Musicians on Labadee, Haiti



The gang in Haiti



My brother and our tour guide in Falmouth, Jamaica



My mom and dad - love them :)



Hubby, Mom and Me

Here's to the first of many updates that will be coming soon! Lot's to catch you all up on!

Tomorrow's My Last Day at MTS

Well, I've survived my countdown, to say the least. Tomorrow is my last day at MTS and I have mixed feelings.

Things I'm excited for:
Seeing my family next week for a Caribbean Cruise!
Seeing family in Wisconsin for July 4th.
Seeing RCorry and Rachel in Vegas!
Moving back to California and starting "the next chapter" of our lives.

Things I'm not excited for:
Saying my final goodbyes tomorrow at work.
Leaving my first 'real' job.
Leaving my/our friends in Cincinnati.


Here are pictures from the rest of Teren's graduation week!


Teren and his parents: Rande and Adrienne


Adie, Aunt Robby (Rande's Sister), Me, and Ronna (Rande's Sister) Dinner at La Poste


Uncle Henry (Ronna's Hubby), Teren, and Rande

Family Fun!

Don't have too much time to blog today/this week as my family has been in town. Today was Teren's first graduation ceremony (the lonnggg one) that honored "Doctoral Hooding and Masters Recognition."


Hubby made it on the jumbo tron!

Tomorrow will be the All-CCM graduation and hopefully will be more intimate.

We are eating tons, laughing a lot, and making up for lost time!



Teren and Me at lunch at Montgomery Inn


Me, Ronna and Robby waiting in the car until we could be seated at Terry's Turf.



Adie, Teren, Me and Rande at Terry's Turf



More pictures to come! Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Countdown Begins

I'm a big countdown person. Once I know how many days until something occurs, I find it easier to make it through the days and then have something to look forward to. It's just how I work and how I get myself motivated.

Yesterday was my last day working with my groups and clients on Saturdays. Parents brought in two thoughtful and beautiful bouquets, a lotion gift set, cards, and hugs.


Flowers from my clients

So, here's my work countdown until my last day of work!

3 more Tuesdays
1 more Wednesday
2 more Thursdays

This Wednesday my In-laws and some extended family come into town for my husband's Masters Graduation from CCM. We actually moved to Cincinnati after our July 2009 wedding for him to pursue his Masters in Orchestral Conducting from CCM and now he is finally done! I'm so proud of him!


My in-laws and us at our wedding

I am looking forward to spending time with our family, packing up our apartment, and moving on to California!

3 Things...

...You Must Tell Your Client Before You Say "Goodbye" for Good.



In my last post about Termination, I discussed the five steps needed to make termination successful for both the client and yourself. Today I will discuss the three things you must tell your client before your final goodbye.

1. Appreciation
Tell them why you appreciate them. What you've done together, how much fun you've had together, why they're such a great musician, etc.

2. Regrets
Of course I wish I could spend more time with all of my clients! But, unfortunately, that is not the case. Tell your client something you regret. "I wish we could have worked some more on your guitar because you are sounding really good." "I was really looking forward to getting to know you better."

3. Gift/Wish
Wish something to your client. For example, "My wish for you is that you continue to spread music and joy to all those that hear you sing." or "I hope that you always remember me when you sing our favorite song, and remember that when I sing it, I'll always think of you, too." If you've made CD's, DVD's or projects, the last session is the perfect time to present them with this.

Some of my last sessions are this coming Saturday and this next week. I am preparing videos, photo slide shows, hand written notes to each and every client, and a Donut party for my Saturday morning groups.

Do you have any traditions for your last sessions with clients?

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.