by Amy Thomas | Apr 3, 2020
What if I told you that Counseling could be so much more than how you might currently define it? The biggest reason that most people do not pursue counseling is because of the stigma. 1. I sit on a couch and they sit in a chair and ask me how I am feeling. 2. Something must be wrong with me if I need to see a counselor. 3. Going to see a counselor will not fix anything. These are the most common misconceptions I hear on a regular basis. Fortunately, there are many people who strongly disagree because they have experienced the positive outcome from the valuable time spent in counseling sessions.
Our counseling services at Upstate Music Therapy Center offer a supportive creative setting to share your most pressing challenges. We (counselor and participant) create a new way to process relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, addictive tendencies, and other symptoms that are keeping you from living a full and healthy life. Through music, art, movement, writing, and talking with a Licensed Creative Art Therapist you will be pleased at the insight gained on issues you’ve been struggling with for years. There is no better time than now to open the door to creating a new way.
We find ourselves in one of the most shocking and unexpected situations in my lifetime and I anticipate in yours as well. COVID-19 has forced our lives to take a dramatic change. Isolation from others, perhaps losing a job, fear related to your current financial situation, being forced to remain in a location that may be stressful, and worried about the health of people we love. One of things that we find ourselves having more of is time. Time in our homes, time to think, and time to try something new. We are offering FREE Discovery Calls for you to speak with Amy. The call will simply be time to talk about how this unexpected virus has impacted you and your family. You will be provided with examples of how our counseling is done over video conferencing and the unique way it is different than other counseling you might have tried in the past. We are only a click away if you need to speak with someone.
For more information about Amy Thomas, LCAT, MT-BC click here
To schedule a Discovery Call with Amy click here
by Amy Thomas | Apr 1, 2020
In light of current events surrounding COVID-19, Upstate
Music Therapy Center has expanded our services to include a selection of online
opportunities. Through online music enrichment and music teletherapy we aim to
maintain and increase accessibility to music during this time.
Social distancing can be a lonely experience for many. We
have been empathizing with older adults and imagining what they are going
through knowing they are the at-risk population. Many older individuals may be
living in a senior home, and while they once had many visitors, now the doors
are closed to loved ones. This is a difficult time for families of the elderly
as they cannot experience the companionship and comfort they are used to.
Thankfully, many nursing homes are equipped with technology.
Through teleconferencing via the home, we can provide music enrichment to a
large portion of residents. Additionally, many individuals have access to their
own technology. Whether it be through a smart phone or computer, we find that
communication with loved ones is still possible. With the assistance of staff
and caregivers, it is our hope that we can help older adults utilize this
technology and foster a therapeutic experience.
Upstate Music Therapy Center currently offers a selection of
online music opportunities.
Individual Online Music Enrichment or Teletherapy with
one of our Board-Certified Music Therapists
- Engage through a video conferencing platform
such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype
- Music activities and interventions will be
catered to the participant’s preferences, preferred music, and interests
- Choose the duration and focus of the session
when registering
We are eager to start exploring these opportunities for
older adults. It is our hope that we can find a silver lining in this experience,
like technology, to bring comfort and connection to those we love.
If you are reading this and have a loved one who you imagine would benefit from a therapeutic music experience or you know of a nursing home where tele conferencing may be available, please do not hesitate to contact us through email at amy@upstatemtc.com or phone (585) 377-1000.
This blog was submitted by: Katie Hall
by Amy Thomas | Mar 28, 2020
In response to school closings and cancellations, Upstate
Music Therapy Center has been modifying and adapting our services to meet our
community’s needs. First and foremost, we are expanding our services to increase
access to online musical experiences and therapy.
UMTC is excited to work with other agencies in the Rochester
community to continue providing quality music therapy services. In the past
year, we were grateful to establish a relationship with Autism Up, a local non
profit agency. Since 2004, Autism Up has been working towards their mission to “support individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder, and their families, by expanding and enhancing opportunities
to improve quality of life.”
The members
of Autism Up believe that “Every climb begins with a step.” As a therapeutic
community, we are all taking these first virtual steps together.
Upstate Music
Therapy Center is looking forward to our first collaboration event in response
to COVID-19. On Monday March 30th at 1:00pm, we will be hosting a
free Facebook Live event through Autism Up. Our very own Victoria Moore,
MT-BC will be leading the musical experience. The focus of this Live group is
to provide support for families at home as they navigate the uncharted waters
of homeschooling. Victoria’s musical interaction with the Autism Up community
will be designed to meet a range of ages and abilities, with a focus on music
and movement.
Facebook
Live is a unique platform. Unlike many live events, participants are able to
send messages to the speaker to address in real-time. It is our hope that
through this collaboration we can expand our ability to provide new and
accessible music experiences for individuals to access from home. We encourage you to check out the Autism Up
Facebook and gather your kids to watch the live event this coming Monday.
If you are interested in pursuing additional online musical opportunities with Upstate Music Therapy Center, please check out our updated services and resources.
by Amy Thomas | Mar 26, 2020
Millions of Americans have been asked to stay home and take a pause. Social distancing from others is mandated and when going out to get essential items we are being instructed to remain 6 feet from another person. This is such a strange concept for many, especially children. Schools all over the United States and across the nation have closed realizing that social distancing in a school building is incredibly challenging. Our elders are missing having visitors in their senior homes. This is an unprecedented time and requires us to think differently about how we socially connect with one another.
Upstate Music Therapy Center is offering opportunities to break down the isolation barrier that so many people are experiencing, young and old alike. We are currently offering Online Options for all ages
Individual Online Music Enrichment or Teletherapy with one of our Board-Certified Music Therapists
- Choose a familiar therapist or be assigned to a new therapist
- Engage through a video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype
- Supporting materials can be sent via email
- Choose the duration and focus of the session when registering
Online Counseling with one of our Licensed Creative Arts Therapists
- Counseling is offered to assist any individual who’s needing to process symptoms such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health struggles
- The counseling approach is based on a creative arts focus using music, relaxation, mindfulness and exploring avenues for self-expression
- Sign up for a free discovery call to determine if this style of counseling is best for you
We soon will have Pre-School and School Age Music Enrichment Groups that you can enroll your children in that will be conducted by one of our Music Therapists on a Facebook Live Group. All these opportunities are an effort to break down the isolation barrier with music and relationship building through online communications.
Please complete our contact form for more information or to register. Click Here.
by Amy Thomas | Mar 4, 2020
The Annual Nazareth College Mini Conference for Music Therapists
was held on February 29th. The all-day event was a wonderful opportunity to attend
presentations, meet area professionals and students, and learn more about what
is changing in the music therapy community. Advocacy was a key element of the conference
and we were very fortunate to have Judy Simpson, Director of AMTA government
relations, opening the conference on that important topic.
Upstate Music Therapy Center employees were eager to
participate this year. During the lunch
hour an Internship Fair was offered. Two
of our Internship Supervisors, Rebecca Szalay, LCAT, MT-BC and Erin Valvo,
MT-BC ran the UMTC agency booth. Discussions were held with students from
Nazareth College, Marywood College, and Fredonia College. Rebecca Szalay, our Education Coordinator,
shared that she was very excited to see so many students interested in the
profession of music therapy. Many signed
up looking forward to receiving applications for our upcoming school year
internship opening.
Erin Valvo, MT-BC also was part of a presentation team,
joining employees Kayla Davitt, MT-BC and Jamie Swieringa, MT-BC after the
lunch break. Their presentation was
titled “Tell Me a Story: The Use of Children’s Books in the Music Therapy
Setting”. Erin, Jamie, and Kayla work
with children ranging from pre-school to school age each week. As a result, they had a plethora of book
recommendations to pair with music intervention. They spoke about the highly
motivating aspect of books in music therapy, as books can provide exciting and
interesting visual cues for our students. Paired with music, books can be an enticing
means for kids to work on socialization, communication, and cognitive-based
goals.
Continuing education is a priority for employees at UMTC. Local events offer area Music Therapists and
students the ideal opportunity to stay in tune and in touch with others in our
music therapy community. Learning and collaboration are essential for the
continued growth of our field. Employee Katie
Hall,
MT-BC attended a session called “MT-BC and Licensure Lingo:
A Crash Course in What You Need to Know”, presented by Donna Polen, LCAT, MT-BC
and Alex Palese, a music therapy student. This is an exciting time for music therapy in
New York, as the effort to obtain licensure for Music Therapy in New York
continues and is gaining momentum. This
session was timely in helping us stay on track with the changes that are being
proposed at the state level. The next
Hill Day in Albany NY is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2020. This offers a specific time to meet our
representatives and have face-to-face conversations to explain the importance
of consumer protection and other rationale of the need for a separate
licensure. We will be sharing a future blog on
participating in this upcoming event.
A main takeaway from the conference was to treat every chance to speak about music therapy as an opportunity to advocate. Music Therapists and current students in New York have an incredible chance to help make a historical change through their advocacy efforts in the coming year. If you are reading this and have questions about Music Therapy, we would love to talk with you more. Send your questions to us using our Contact Us tab on our website. We look forward to answering your questions.
This blog was submitted by Amy Thomas and Katie Hall
