When the Music Therapist Needs the Music Therapy

Today I sit at home on a personal day, feeling guilty that I am missing work. But, as a person in the helping profession, I have learned when I hit my own emotional threshold I need to take a moment to slow and and take care of myself. If I cannot have the time to take care of myself, I will not be able to take care of my clients.

So, what does the music therapist do when she is in need of music therapy herself?

Pay attention. I have unique insight into my own triggers, and I should pay attention to them. For me, that is increased sleeping and lack of energy. I typically do not smile or laugh as much as I typically do (which is alot!).

Be Proactive. Do things that I know will raise my endorphin levels and help my body cope with sadness or grief. I exercise, take my vitamins, and make sure I have a friend checking in on me.

Faith. Spend ample time praying and listening.

Therapy. Listen to my own music choices. Play and sing music that speaks to me in this moment. Write lyrics if it feels natural.

For me, I've been listening to "If I Die Young" by the Band Perry on repeat for weeks. I took the time to memorize the lyrics, learn it on guitar, and I play it every chance I get. It makes me feel better.

Caretakers need to take care of themselves, just as we take care with those we serve.

Bag of Tricks Friday!

Happy Friday! Do you know what that means? That's right, kids! It's bag of tricks Friday! Here's the background info...

When I was an undergraduate music therapy student at Maryville University, on of my beloved professors, Rosalie Duvall, told us that when we became professional music therapists to always have a strategy in our "bag of tricks." I didn't really know what she meant until I was in my internship and my first session did not go as I planned. At ALL!

So, let's share a new strategy or something that we keep in our "bag of tricks!"

1. Scroll down to the "comments" section of this post.

2. Type your strategy in the comment box and post.

3. Don't forget to be mindful of confidentiality!

4. Read and comment on other people's strategy posts.

5. Beg, borrow and steal strategies! Teachers are the best thieves known to man!

Thank you in advance for sharing! I hope you add something to your "Bag of Tricks!"

What's Going Well? Wednesday

It's Wednesday again! That means it's that time of the week to talk about the positives that are happening in regard to our practice, music therapy, education, family, wellness, personal goals...whatever! Even if it is a small success, share it with the Accent on Music Therapy community!

Here's how it works:

1. Think about your successes in the past week - big or baby steps.

2. Scroll down to the comments section.

3. Type a comment with your story. Don't forget to be mindful of confidentiality!

4. Submit your comment.

5. Read comments from others and respond to their successes!

I'm very excited to support one another in the great work that is going on in Saint Louis and beyond!

Non-Violent Crisis Prevention

I adore my caseload for work. I get to work in many schools with awesome kids, families, and colleagues. However, I drive through many high crime neighborhoods to get there. When I really think about it, I take many precautions when driving, parking, walking to a school building, and when I'm inside certain buildings. I've seen out of control fights between students. I've had student be aggressive toward me. And, I've been concerned for my safety in my work areas.

That's why this story caught my attention today.

First of all, the teacher was cleared of all charges. And, I'm basing my information on her Today Show interview and the video in the linked article. I think she could have avoided hitting the student.

My employer provides yearly training in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention. The school district I work for has a "hands off" policy for adults touching students unless the student is a danger to themselves or others, and then there is an approved restraint hold permitted, as a last resort. Have I restrained a student before? Yes. Have I been injured by a student before? Yes, if you consider a bite, scratch, kick, pinch, etc. as an injury. Oh, and I've been clocked in the head with a mini-cabasa. That one hurt for a while!

From the limited information I have from the situation with the linked story, I think there are a number of things the teacher could have done. Of course, I don't know her school policy or anything else. But, here's my opinion from the information in the video.

1. Her vocal tone did not appear to be assisting with deescalating the student. She appeared to be yelling back at the student. It's okay to be firm, but if you are escalating along with the student, the result will not be awesome.

2. She backed herself into a corner. If a student is charging you, get away! I've had to do that before. I was embarrassed that I couldn't control my student in our small office during therapy. But, when she followed my into the hallways, another staff member saw there was a problem and helped intervene. Another staff person could have even just called administration or the SRO. Plus, you have to consider the safety of other students.

3. She hit back. I have not hit a student. EVER. But, I have blocked attempts at aggression. Block and move away.

4. She didn't call for assistance. Was there a call button in the room to the office? Could she have sent a student next door to another classroom for assistance? If I would have seen a student escalating, I would have asked for help immediately, especially if I felt extremely threatened.

Hindsight is wonderful. I'm grateful I get this specialized crisis prevention training every year, but I wish general education staff would be trained as well. I think it could help a lot to deescalate situations that could become something serious.

Teachers don't have an easy job, but that doesn't give us the right to "defend ourselves" when there are strategies and procedures in place to protect the student and staff alike.

Transitions

I mentioned on Twitter that I use adapted lyrics for transitions for my students. A few awesome music therapists on Twitter wanted to see the lyrics. Here we go!

It's often easy to develop transition songs for young students, especially those in early childhood settings. How many times have we all piggybacked lyrics to "Skip to my Lou" or "Twinkle Little Star." It becomes more challenging when students become older and still require songs to address basic skills. These creative challenges can either energize a school-based music therapist or create frustration. Personally, I typically thrive on this sort of creative challenge.

I wrote these parody lyrics for a 4th grade student diagnosed with Autism. These lyrics are to the song "Blister in the Sun" by The Violent Femmes. I must give Kelli Ballard, St. Louis music therapist, credit for planting this idea in my head. I love former interns who share ideas!

When I'm A-Walkin'

Verse:

When I'm a-walkin' I might have to go to OT

Or I might walk down the hall to have fun in PE

Chorus:

When I'm in the hall

I keep my hands to myself

My voice is quiet

I keep walking where I need to go

Go ahead, get out your guitar and sing the chorus. It's super addicting! I keep adding verses for different places the student may need to go. When using this in live presentation, I use adapted RAS (Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation) while snapping to help with walking pace, and I improvise verses using lyrics about where the student is going real time. Enjoy!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

On Good Friday evening, a tornado ripped through the Saint Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area.

The tornado touched down about 5 miles east of my home in St. Charles City, Missouri.

The worst damage near the St. Louis Lambert Airport, Bridgeton, and Maryland Heights are in the Pattonville School District - one of the districts I serve as a music therapist. There was also extensive damage in the Ritenour School District by the Airport - also a district I serve.

This E-F 4 tornado (when it was the strongest) moved straight through north St. Louis County.

After I knew I was safe (I freaked out a little during the storm, hiding in my laundry room - and for a good reason!), I was extremely concerned for the families I serve. There was a moment when I considered the fact that I may be pushing the therapeutic/educational/professional boundaries with the families I serve if I checked on them. However, that moment was short lived. This was a serious disaster, and I quickly emailed all my families in the PSD. I was truly concerned, and I was ready to help these families if needed. Luckily, everyone stated they were okay.

What do you think? Where do you draw the line with professional boundaries in the school setting? I feel like this was an extreme situation...

My immediate family in St. Louis had extended family call from as far away as Florida and California to check on us after seeing the national new coverage on the storm. The pictures on the news are one thing, but I drove by the airport today and some of the most damaged areas...there are no words. It is horrific.

To support those effected by this severe weather event, please donate to:

• St. Louis Red Cross
• PattCare Storm Relief Fund (Pattonville School District Charitable Organization)

Please pray for everyone in the St. Louis Area, and never ignore a tornado warning.

I took this video today (Easter Sunday). I started taping on my iPhone3 when I got on I-70 at my exit right by my home. This demonstrates how close I was to the tornado. I start in St. Charles City. I cross the Blanchette Bridge over the Missouri River into St. Louis County. At that point, I am in Maryland Heights, MO. You can begin to see damage at about 4:30 in the video. On the right hand side of the highway, there is the Bridgeton, MO damage. On the left side of the highway, there is the airport. The video isn't so great because it was cloudy and I was going 60 mph, but it gives you some idea.

Supportive Sundays

Welcome back to Supportive Sundays! This post is for you to voice problems, concerns, and difficult situations for others to help you with in this online community. Do you have a difficult assessment case? Out of ideas for a challenging client? Pulling your hair out over something with your own child or family member? Do you have writer's block and absolutely cannot crank out song lyrics about buttoning a shirt? Need some info on the music from the 1930's? You can share your story here, and the community can brainstorm possible solutions.

How to participate:

1. Scroll down to the bottom of this post.

2. Type your story, problem, or brainstorming solution in the comment box.

3. Remember to be mindful of confidentiality!

4. Post your comment.

5. Read the comments of others and respond.

Let's support each other in the great work we do every day, even if it's challenging at times!

*This information is not a substitute for professional advice or consultation. The information in the comments section is opinion based, and requires your own research on the topic and the application of common sense.*