by Amy Thomas | Apr 13, 2020
During this difficult time, navigating COVID-19 and the changes it has brought into our life, we are grieving. Many of us have lost the most basic things that we so often take for granted, like our daily routine. Perhaps you now have all of your children home, so you are grieving the loss of having quiet mom time or getting your to-do list done. Others are grieving the loss of a job. Some share that losing the freedom of going out into public without fear of becoming ill has been the most difficult adjustment for them. Many students are grieving the loss of seeing their friends and teachers each day and others the loss of a prom, senior year events, and graduation. Teachers are missing their students. Our senior citizens are grieving the loss of familiar faces coming to visit them. Grandparents are feeling the loss of not being able to hug and play with their grandchildren. The most tragic loss, the lives that have been taken by this silent enemy, the coronavirus. The loss is real and deep and spans as wide as our country and across the oceans, as we are not grieving alone. Every country is feeling losses.
So how do we cope? Some will cope by keeping themselves busy. If they stay busy, they will not have time to think about it. I have had others say that they focus on the things they do have, technology for communication with others, a house over their head, food on the table and in some cases, they still have their job. Others cope by talking about how hard this is and how they are pushing through each day for their family who need them. I spoke to a woman the other day who shared that her faith is the prime reason that she gets up each day. She knows that God is in control and that she and her family will get through this. Most of us like to stay strong and focus on what needs to be done each day to navigate all of the losses and changes in our daily lives, but I am here to tell you that “It’s OK to cry”.
The health benefits of crying are immense. Research has found that in addition to being self-soothing, shedding emotional tears releases oxytocin and endorphins. These chemicals make people feel good and may also ease both physical and emotional pain. In this way, crying can help reduce pain and promote a sense of well-being. When humans cry in response to stress, their tears contain a number of stress hormones and other chemicals. Researchers believe that crying could reduce the levels of these chemicals in the body, which could, in turn, reduce stress. More research is needed into this area, however, to confirm this, but it makes sense. So, give yourself permission to take a pause and shed some tears, you will be doing your mind, body and soul a favor. And as always, never try to navigate losses without support. Find a good listener to share your grief and take comfort that you are not in this alone.
by Amy Thomas | Apr 10, 2020
Over the last few weeks parents and guardians have been exploring their “new normal” in the light of sudden school closures due to the coronavirus. While doing their very best to set up spaces in their home where their school age children can continue learning, many parents are also balancing the needs of their preschool age children. This is just one of the challenges that families are dealing with since the middle of March. With the mandated #stayhomestaysafe order in most states and the loss of jobs for many families we began to consider the part we can play in response to these unexpected circumstances. Offering our talents, knowledge and resources to those in need when the unimaginable arises is the American way. We are inspired by the many encouraging stories of masks being sewn, hand sanitizer being produced, and people reaching out through teleconferencing platforms or phone calls to friends and family who are finding themselves isolated and lonely.
The question before us is how can we help? What role can we play in the coming days to support others and yet do so in a safe way? We believe the answer is to find creative ways to use our skill set to meet needs that come to our attention. We all can lend a hand and lift a spirit, it’s just in this case we need to consider how that can be accomplished while still practicing social distancing.
We have identified our part in paying it forward. Upstate Music Therapy Center is getting ready to launch a Free Online Music Opportunity for Preschoolers in April and May using Facebook Live. Each week we will create a fun and engaging session for the children and their parents to watch, comment and participate as we sing, move and play instruments. The children and their parents will be invited to send chat messages to our Music Therapist to express their enjoyment or respond to a question. This will create a fun new community for the parents and children.
There’s no better feeling than to Pay if Forward. We are doing our part in hopes that it will encourage many families over the coming months. If you know a family with young children, we invite you to share this new opportunity with them and mention to follow us on Facebook to receive updates on our launch date, fun resource suggestions, and music that they can watch later if they miss the Facebook Live event. We hope to see you there!
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.
