I am constantly asked what music therapy is by various people, and here is how I answer their question.

I start off with asking them if they have ever heard of speech pathology or physical therapy. Usually, the person I am talking with will have heard of one or the other. I then go on to explain that music therapists work with the same populations as speech pathology and physical therapy, but we use music to achieve non-musical goals for clients.

After that brief explanation, I usually have their attention. I will mention a specific population that music therapists work with and explain how a music therapist will use music to help the client. Depending on the person I am speaking with, I will usually give the example of a client learning how to walk again with gait training and how the music therapist will work with the physical therapist in using the beats of the music for the client to walk to. Gait training almost always works. Sometimes, the person I am speaking with does not want any other explanation, but if they do then I continue with explaining other populations music therapist work with and what kind of settings music therapists can be found. To finish the conversation I mention the American Music Therapy Association's website and the fact sheets on particular populations. Right now, I am almost done with my internship and will have my last day on June 25th. Time has flown by, and I cannot believe that I am almost done! After my internship I will be getting married on September 4th in Saint Louis and then will be living in Jefferson City, Mo after that. I received the training for music therapy and will be opening up a practice for it in that area.

After that, I am thinking about doing contractual work for hospice, since I really enjoyed hospice during my internship. But we will see what happens. I have really enjoyed my internship and especially have the chance in knowing clients really well throughout these months.