West Music Staff Blogs
Our Mission: To enrich people's lives through the participation in music!
Tag >> Music Therapy
Change is often hard for most people. Whether it is a change in job, change in location, or change in clientele, change can be difficult but can provide many unexpected rewards! As Director of the Music Therapy Department, I talk to my employees on a regular basis about their favorite populations to work with and how to build upon their successes. It is my firm belief that employees have to be happy and do what they love! However, we always say that, "The only thing constant here at West Music is change." Just when you get comfortable, things seem to change.
Posted by: Katey, MT-BC in Music Therapy on
Oct 30, 2009
How much is that doggy in the window? Ya know, the one with the waggly tail? I always thought of this as a silly children's song, until I started seeing hospice patients. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty silly, but I have come to realize the love people have for this song. It's as if when this song was played, everyone would turn up their radios and sing (or bark!) at the top of their lungs. One day, I was playing for a lady who was having a lot of pain. She was trying to relax, and I was working her down, and I played this song. I knew how much she enjoyed it, but was surprised to see her add in the bark right at the appropriate time, even though it appeared as though she was sleeping. We shared a laugh, and I knew at that moment she was not focusing on any of her pain. Another time, I played this song with a lady while everyone was starting to come into the dining hall. It doesn't seem to matter whether the person is 100 or 75, they know this song. Everyone was smiling and singing along, adding the barking, and having a great time. What is with this song? If only I could have lived back when it was released, so I could fully understand.
Music Therapy Services at West Music has recently been accepted by the American Music Therapy Association as a National Roster internship site. This means that we can now accept interns from all accredited music therapy programs throughout the world. The internship serves a number of populations including adults and children with developmental disabilities, adults with dementia, well elderly, and individuals in hospice. Interns would gain experience working with a variety of populations in a contractual music therapy setting. Opportunities to lead 1:1 sessions, small groups (3-8) and large groups (up to 30) will be provided.
As a music therapist who works in hospice, I am fortunate to see what a powerful tool music can be, and sometimes it is all about being in the right place at the right time. Recently, I was fortunate to experience this and see how music can be a powerful tool for our patients as well as the family. Sometimes, I see individuals who I am told are unresponsive. Typically, in these types of sessions music can be used as a tool to help relax the client and bring comfort during the dying process. Music is also a powerful tool for the family members who are present who can choose to honor their loved one with a special song, or who prefer just to listen to the music rather than the monitors, which beep.
Posted by: Emilia, MT-BC in Music Therapy on
Oct 09, 2009
Throughout this tough economy, as I've seen friends and family members being laid off from their jobs, I've come to appreciate being gainfully employed. But is there more to loving coming to work each day other than coming home with a pay check? - I get paid to sing! Seriously, for real? Growing up, I used to drive my family crazy because I was constantly singing. OK, I admit it, I still do that. I have always burst into song at the drop of a hat. Random words or phrases will get me going into some song or another.
Oh, the ocean drum! It is a favorite of young and old. A music therapist has many uses for this delightful instrument. You can use it for relaxation or stimulation. You can use it as a sound effect or as a focal point for sharing. You can pass it around a circle. You can play it over someone’s head. Maybe you count coins on it. You can probably think of more!
Posted by: Yen-Ling Lin in Music Therapy on
Sep 11, 2009
Having a six-month internship at West Music is a very valuable experience, because I have been largely exposed to different populations, such as geriatric clients, adults with developmental disabilities, hospice patients, and children at school age. I have also had many chances to lead different sizes of groups, from big groups (around 25 people), to one-on-one. As part of my internship requirements, I will start a project at West Music in Marion. I will be teaching an 8-week class on Chinese music and hope to meet people who are interested in one aspect of the Chinese culture--music. During the classes, I will have them sing Chinese songs, such as traditional Chinese New Years songs and Chinese lullabies. We will also translate the lyrics of familiar Western songs into Chinese. I am hoping to start the class by the middle to the end of September.
Posted by: Kyle, MA, MT-BC in Music Therapy on
Sep 08, 2009
I would like to share my experiences of helping out with Stroke Camp last weekend. I had the privilege of being one of the music therapists providing music to the campers. This camp was made up of stroke survivors and their caregivers. And when I say “camp,” I really mean it! Skits, a campfire with smores, and crafts were all part of the schedule. We sang songs, played games, and had two drum circles. The stroke survivors, many of whom suffer from aphasia, making it difficult for them to speak, were able to sing entire songs or large segments of songs. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of tears--and a lot of bonding and a lot of learning. I, myself, learned a great deal.
"Therapy that feels like therapy is BAD therapy." This is a quote from Jenna Justice, MM, HPMT, MT-BC. It's one of the many things that I learned from her over the past several years while earning my own HPMT (Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist) certification. As I meet with hospice patients and their families, I am constantly reminded of that quote because music therapy doesn’t feel like therapy, and that's one of the reasons it's so great. I was in a situation recently with a patient, her friend, and her daughter. During the session we worked on many different care plan goals without anyone (other than myself) realizing what was transpiring. When I arrived, the patient was sitting quietly alone in bed. She seemed very glad to see me as evidenced by her broad smile. She immediately chose songs of faith that had great meaning to her and after each song participated in analyzing the lyrics to the song and the history the songs had for her personally. She accepted small shaker instruments, raising them above her head and making beautiful music. Her friend arrived shortly and participated in reminiscing with the patient. The friend also chose songs and became very tearful at one point thinking about their long friendship coming to a close. The patient's daughter arrived and joined in, singing along and laughing with her mother.
Every bride has specific details about her wedding that she wants to be "perfect." I was no different. Unlike most brides who want the picture perfect dress, or color coordinated napkins to centerpieces, or matching hairstyles on their bridesmaids, the detail that I was picky on was my music. How could it not be? As a music therapist, music is such an important part of my life, it just seemed natural to be such an important part of our wedding.
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