Picture It!: A Visual of Music Therapy Advocacy

January = MT Social Media Advocacy Month!

 

Introduction: Advocacy --> Recognition --> Access

Since 2005, the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists have collaborated on a State Recognition Operational Plan. The primary purpose of this plan is to get music therapy and our MT-BC credential recognized by individual states so that citizens can more easily access our services. The AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provide guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as they work towards state recognition. To date, their work has resulted in over 35 active state task forces, 2 licensure bills passed in 2011, 1 licensure bill passed in 2012, and an estimated 7 bills being filed in 2013 that seek to create either title protection or a licensure for music therapy. This month, our focus is on YOU and on getting you excited about advocacy.

What is the State Recognition Operational Plan and

why is it important to music therapy?

The State Recognition Operational Plan is a national initiative being implemented jointly by CBMT and AMTA to obtain state recognition of music therapy and the MT-BC credential. This collaborative effort between AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provides guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as groups of music therapists work toward recognition as defined by their particular state.

The plan involves increasing awareness of the music therapy profession and of what it means to be board-certified. The ultimate goal is that, in all situations, the MT-BC be a minimum requirement as a service provision in every work setting.

 

Picture It!

 

Last year, I shared an original song, "a-d-v-o-c-a-t-e".   In 2013, the theme for our SM Advocacy Month is "CONNECT With Music Therapy." I asked greater Cincinnati clients, families, and fellow colleagues to share with me three words that came to mind when they thought of their experiences regarding music therapy. [some responses I received were so touching...in paragraphs, nontheless!] The plan was to see how these words literally connected with each other, as you can see below:

 

Some of the words included were embedded by yours truly [I wanted people to know that MT is researched, scientific, goal-driven)] but I love that so many of the responses that came in [especially from families whose homes I visit] were very subjective and emotional... lots of folks displayed a very visceral reaction when talking about music therapy. And while each person's view of MT is different--- even therapists practicing across our country have different notions of how they approach our profession--- there seemed to be common threads running thoughout here: positive effects of self-esteem; happiness; accomplishments; using a medium that is music to achieve AMAZING outcomes.

My thanks to all who participated in helping me make a rockin' visual- your words are SO important! As we continue our work together, and music therapists across the country do the same, we strive for others' recognition that music therapy is capable of awesome results.

Other MTs, professionals, families, clients...do you see words above that you'd  use to describe music therapy?  What else would you add to the list?

concert time!

Are you feeling the same when I say, "It's December...what?!?!"  Each year, this last month seems to be a little sneakier and creep up a bit faster than the last.  Even though it's hard wrapping my head around the fact that 2013 will be here in less than four weeks, I really do love this time of year.  Family time, a larger collective thought of doing good for others, the coziness cold weather brings (that it is when it's not in the 60s!)...
Something else awesome is the performance that my kiddos at CCA will have in a little less than 2 weeks! It's the second year that it's been held, and will hopefully stay as a tradition.  This is open to family, friends, and community members who wish to show their support and enjoy a little Saturday morning holiday music-making!  All who will participate have been working very hard on their piano, guitar, and vocal pieces- I can't wait to see them in action : )

wearing a different hat

During my today, I practiced music as therapy and music therapeutically.  Is there a difference?  Yup (see below).  I was lucky enough to have time to visit my grandma- and I'm sooooo glad I did.  It made the day for both of us- maybe even the week!  I wasn't her music therapist, I was her granddaughter; she wasn't a client, she was my Gram.  We sat opposite each other in our respective chairs- much like a music therapist and a client might- but I wasn't watching reactions for the purpose of data-taking and reporting (although I did find myself doing so at times, it wasn't my intent...just a work habit!).  I watched her face to see the smiles she gave, looks of pride as I accompanied on my guitar and she on a keyboard on her lap, and listened as she found harmony to join me in singing "You Are My Sunshine" (one of my favorites we sang together during my childhood).  It was therapeutic for both of us as we engaged each other and found enjoyment and relaxation in participating in and creating music together.  We bonded and made memories over an activity that's seemingly so simple.  I loved it.  She told me that it was "wonderful."

Now, people can and do definitely use music in the same manner we did- recreationally to support emotions, energize, or de-stress...it happens every day, and that may be therapeutic for you.  Think about psyching yourself for a run, turning to a piece you recognize as soothing on a long drive home from the office, or playing with your kids.  All awesome!  However, it's music therapy when a board certified music therapist assess and creates a tailored treatment plan for his/her client(s).  Today, singing along with some of my grandma's favorite tunes, I was perfectly happy to be a music therapist using music in a therapeutic manner.

By the way...my Gram used to play the accordian- cool, huh? 

the power of 5

I'm really excited, friends-  Look what came in the mail yesterday!  My new certificate from the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT).  Now I'm officially a board certified music therapist (MT-BC) for another 5 years....bring it on : )

Curious as to how a music therapist gains national certification?  Briefly...

When music therapy students finish their collegiate coursework, each participates in a clinical internship that generally lasts 6-9 months, with a total of 1200 hours of training completed. Following the successful end of an internship, the music therapist is eligible to take the board certification exam, administered by the CBMT...and successfully completing this grants the privelage of the MT-BC credentials for 5 years.  During this time, we MTs participate in various professional activities to accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of continuing music therapy education (CMTE) credits, if we intend to follow this method of being recertified after our 5 year cycle [this is the route I took, in case you're curious].  A music therapist may also opt to sucessflly re-take and pass the recertification exam during the 4th year of his/her cycle, in order to maintain MT-BC status.

Currently, there are over 5300 music therapists who retain the MT-BC credential.  Only those who have completed the requirements of the program and pass certification are able to use the title of board certified music therapist. If you are interested in music therapy services, you can search here to look for a certified therapist in your area.

music therapy on the radio

I'm really excited about an opportunity I have this evening:  tonight, from 6-6:30pm EST, I'll be a guest on the radio program Dr. On Call.  It airs on WSCH 99.3 The Eagle out of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and is hosted by Dr. Marcus Cobb of Spine and Neuromuscular Associates of SEI.  If you're unable to receive the signal, you can listen live online here.  An audio recording of the show will be made available in the coming weeks, as well. 
During the half hour, I'll be explaining the profession of music therapy, hitting on three main points: What music therapy is, Who a music therapist is, and How services may be made available and beneficial to those receiving the service.  Based upon my experience, the special needs population will be highlighted.  There may also be a live example or two thrown in!  Hope you're able to tune in : )

a-d-v-o-c-a-t-e...on YouTube

As promised, I'd like to share part of my contribution to the 2012 Music Therapy Social Media Advocacy Month with you...by way of my first YouTube video!
This actually came before my article...(half truth- I had a pretty solid rough draft, but then the song 'happened' and changed my course of thinking).  I was driving home at the end of my work day- with the days' songs + ideas of writing for the project swirling in my mind- and this came to be in a very short period of time.  Thank goodness for voice memo apps!

I often find that individuals who are not familiar with music therapy can really benefit from experiental examples- active or passive... I'm hoping that the new Music Matters YouTube channel will allow for future educate-by-example advocacy opportunities.

And the word of the month is...

Advocacy!  To digress just a minute or so...when I was young, I had the (good/ strange- I'm not quite sure) opportunity to watch "Pee-wee's Playhouse" as part of my lineup of Saturday morning cartoons.  Did you?  I distinctly remember the 'word of the day' segment at the beginning; anytime one of the characters uttered the word during the episode, it was followed by the instructed 'aaaaugh'- scream really loud.

In the world of music therapy, we're using our word- advocacy- throughout the month of January.  Music therapy bloggers (including yours truly) and podcasters from around the country will be expressing their thoughts on the topic and our profession- why it's important, how to be an advocate, ideas, and tips. A complied list of contributions can be found on the Music Therapy Maven's website.  If you're a Twitter user, you can also follow the #mtadvocacy hashtag.

I'm looking forward to each week's articles and podcasts, as well as sharing my own with you toward the end of the month...no screaming at the word necessary  : ).

A Whole New Decade

So, friends...yesterday I turned 30.  3-0! No longer a 20-something.  I  have been told multiple times [because, honestly, I'm not thrilled about this change yet], that age is a state of mind, not a number...which I am thankful to be reminded of, because I still feel like an early twenty-year-old, even though I have a brand new first number to get used to! 

With this, I thought that I would give you a present for my birthday.  A few of my kiddos have been working hard on numbers, specifically counting by different intervals:  2's, 5's, and 10's.  Since I'm at a new 10-year mark, I'm sharing a "Count by 10's" little ditty with you.  You can hop over to my Bandcamp page and download the mp3, sans charge.  Celebrate!

I am proud of and, again, thankful for all that I have accomplished and been presented in during my last decade [see- that just sounds weird!]...and although I'm not taking this change quite in stride yet, am very excited to see what the next 10 years brings-  and I look forward to sharing it with you : )