by Amy Thomas | Mar 22, 2022
Written by Katie Pistilli, MT-BC
This month, Upstate Music Therapy Center employees Erin Triola, LCAT, MT-BC and Katie Pistilli, MT-BC met a wonderful group of people through the Thrive to Survive support group. Katie and Erin conducted a workshop for Thrive to Survive that included a few different creative arts experiences. Participants were cancer survivors, caregivers, family, and friends. Within moments it was clear that Thrive to Survive is a tight-knit group. In fact, Thrive to Survive just celebrated its 10-year anniversary and this meeting was their first in-person since the pandemic began. The positive energy reverberated throughout the room.
UMTC wanted to offer an experience that would relax, connect, and inspire the participants. Music therapy benefits cancer survivors in more ways than one. To name a few, music therapy offers:
- Reduced anxiety; improved mood
- Improved quality of life
- Pain control
- Decreased shortness of breath
- Decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
- Increased positive immune response
- Caregiver joy and empowerment
Mindfulness, Art, and Music
As a part of the workshop, the participants participated in a few different music therapy interventions such as mindfulness-based art and music activity. During this experience, the participants were encouraged to listen to soothing music, breathe deeply, and allow themselves to color, draw, or write whatever came to mind. There were a couple of participants who shared that they felt “relaxed and peaceful” afterwards. For some, the busy thoughts and worries in their mind slowed down.
The Power of Lyrics
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock n’ roll
And drift away
Do those lyrics ring a bell for you? Every single participant knew the song “Drift Away” by Dobie Grey. The group had a conversation about what memories the song brings, what lines stand out, and what the song means to them. Where can music transport you? It was amazing to see how we can all be connected and feel the positivity of a song, but all have a different interpretation of the lyrics.
Music therapy interventions not only benefit the individual undergoing treatment but their caregivers as well. For those with a terminal illness, music therapy may act as a bonding experience. Participating in shared music experiences may bring patients and caregivers closer together, cultivating positive memories to look back on. To conclude the workshop, the participants grabbed a small shaker, drum, or percussion instrument to play along to the timeless classic “Lean on Me.” One thing is for certain, the survivors of this group all have each other to lean on!
Connect with Thrive to Survive
The Thrive to Survive group meets monthly, and workshops range from creative arts experiences, to resource events with social workers, or cheering at the Middle Finger 5k on Seneca Lake. If you or anyone you love is looking to be a part of this support group, you can email them at: support@thrivetosurvive.com
Interested in having our therapists do a workshop or training for your organization? Learn more about our community education opportunities by clicking here.
by Amy Thomas | Jan 4, 2022
Blog written by Katie Pistilli, MT-BC
Has your passion for music and desire to help others have you leaning toward wanting to pursue a career in Music Therapy?
Last month we released a blog called Should I Become a Music Therapist, where we talked about the different questions to asking yourself when deciding whether or not to become a music therapist.
Now, we’re taking the next step in helping you achieve that career. Here are 5 the steps you’ll need to take in order to become a Board Certified Music Therapist.
1) Find a School
Whether you are just finishing up high school or already a professional in another field looking to change career paths, the first step is finding an AMTA-approved university. AMTA stands for the American Music Therapy Association. They set the standards for education and determine if a program is teaching what a music therapist really needs to know. Programs at these schools vary. You might be looking for a bachelor’s program or master’s equivalency if you already have a bachelor’s degree.
AMTA outlines the different options for you. Find the path that best fits your life’s trajectory.
There are many colleges out there that claim to offer degrees or “concentrations” in music therapy. It is absolutely essential that you make sure these programs are AMTA-approved. If you do not complete your coursework at an accredited program, you will not qualify for necessary steps like internship or sitting for your board exam.
To ensure you are pursuing a qualified program, make sure it is on this list: AMTA Approved Schools.
2) Audition
As much as music therapy is an allied health profession, you are first and foremost a musician. During your time in college, you must cultivate your musical self as any music major would. An audition is part of the application process at any school. You will be asked to audition on your primary instrument or voice. Many instrumentalists choose the instrument they played in band or orchestra in high school. You can also audition on voice, classical guitar, or piano. If you are still in high school, ask your music teacher to help you with this process! Keep in mind, you will be working with your primary instrument for at least 4 years. Make sure playing it is something you like doing!
3) Complete Your Coursework
Once you audition and enter into a program, it will take 4 years to complete. If you are coming in with the pre-requisites or a music degree in a related field you may complete it in less time. During this time, you’ll learn a lot of information, from music history and theory to psychology, research methods, and music therapy approaches. It is all essential information that you will implement during internship.
You’ll get a small taste of internship during your school years in the practicum setting. Practicums are wonderful opportunities to get your feet wet, practice some interventions, and therapeutic skills before internship. During practicum, you will learn about the steps and procedures behind writing music therapy goals, creating a treatment plan, and much more. Be sure to soak up as much of this experience as you can!
4) Internship
Internship is the capstone event of a music therapist’s educational journey. An internship consists of 1,200 clinical hours completed under the supervision of a board-certified music therapist. During your internship, you will cultivate the skills and competencies you’ll need to be a competent and confident clinician. Similar to applying for schools, internships require an audition process. Unlike your college audition, the skills are more practical for the profession. You may be asked to lead a group in a musical activity, showcase your piano, voice, and guitar skills, or answer situational questions applicable to the population you’ll be serving.
You must seriously consider pursuing an internship with the population you see yourself working with. For example, if you want to work with children, consider a school-based internship setting. You can also find internships based in hospitals, schools, private practices, hospice and palliative care.
There are two kinds of internships: National Roster and Affiliate. Affiliate internships are those only available to students of a particular academic program. National roster internships are available to anyone. Use this resource to find an AMTA approved internship site.
5) Become Board-Certified
Did you know that a music therapist has credentials after their name? They are MT-BC and stand for Music-Therapist, Board Certified. Once you complete your internship clinical hours you are eligible to sit for the board-certification exam. All practicing music therapists must be board-certified. After all of your education and training, you will be more than prepared! This exam is taken entirely on a computer at a testing location.
Music therapy is a rewarding career like no other. It is full of experiences spanning numerous professions, from medical care, education, mental health, and across the spectrum of ages. The possibilities are endless. We hope that your journey is as rewarding as ours at UMTC has been!
by Amy Thomas | Nov 30, 2021
Blog written by Katie Pistilli, MT-BC
Do you love music and want to make a career of it? It might seem like music education or performance degrees are the only majors out there, but that is far from the truth. Thankfully, there is the fulfilling profession of music therapy! Aspiring music therapists, this one is for you.
Music therapy is a profession that traverses medical, education, mental health, and creative fields. You will notice some of the questions below seemingly have nothing to do with music. In time you will learn that they have everything to do with music therapy.
For those of you asking the question should I become a music therapist? We encourage you to ask yourself these questions:
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- Do you play an instrument and have the desire to learn more of them?
- Are you drawn to the fields of psychology and neuroscience?
- Do you enjoy reading and appreciate research?
- Are you interested in learning about medical diagnosis, treatments, and procedures?
- Do you enjoy singing with a group of people?
- Do you consider yourself an empathetic person who enjoys helping others?
- Would you consider yourself supportive of the mental health field?
- Do you think music can help people learn or communicate?
- Could you see yourself working with a team of non-musical professionals (teachers, nurses, speech therapists, etc.)?
- Do you enjoy creating your own music, improvising, or songwriting?
- Do you consider music to be healing?
If you answered “yes” to a few of these questions, music therapy might be the profession for you! A music therapist must be a musician among many other things. Your creativity and drive are at the center of the process. If some of the questions felt a little out of reach, don’t worry. The beauty of learning is that it is a process, and you have all the time to cultivate the skills you need to be a successful clinician!
If you are still deciding whether to pursue music therapy, consider reaching out and talking to a practicing therapist. To get you started, we interviewed some of the music therapists on the UMTC team. They were asked the question: “Why did you become a music therapist?” Perhaps you can relate to some of their answers.
Jamie
“When I discovered music therapy as a field, I wanted to combine my love for music with my interest in the medical field and bring the joy of music to those who were going through a hard time.”
Erin
“Music was a huge part of my life in high school, and I have also always loved helping people. When I learned about the field of music therapy my senior year of high school, I realized it was the best of both worlds!”
Rebecca
“In high school, I was deciding between nursing and teaching music. When I heard about music therapy, I knew that it was the perfect marriage of using music to help others.”
Do any of these answers resonate with you? UMTC is grateful to be a part of the Rochester, NY music therapy community and beyond. We are here to answer any questions you have about our profession and educational opportunities in the area.
Stay tuned for a blog we’ll be releasing in the coming weeks called: How Do I Become a Music Therapist?
by Amy Thomas | May 11, 2021
Blog post written by Katie Pistilli
If you’re a parent or professional in the education world, you’ve probably noticed a new buzzword: Social-Emotional Learning. What is Social-Emotional Learning, and what does it have to do with public schools?
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) was a term coined by an organization called CASEL, The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.
According to CASEL, Social-Emotional Learning is “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”
SEL guidelines are proven to:
- Increase student’s pro-social skills
- Cultivate skills needed to maintain positive relationships
- Increase academic performance
- Decrease anxiety and depression.
The impact of SEL curriculum spans well into a child’s adulthood, with evidence showing that children exposed to SEL are less likely to experience poverty or incarceration.
SEL is based on the acquisition of 5 core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.
A social-emotional learning curriculum not only has an impact on individual students, but their community as a whole.
Music Therapy and Social Emotional Learning
In many ways, music therapists have addressed these benchmarks for decades in our schools. We know the innate social-emotional benefits of making music with others, learning an instrument, and interpreting music. Here are a few specific ways that music therapy addresses the 5 core SEL competencies:
1) Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness ranges from identifying emotions to more complex skills such as linking thoughts to feelings. In music therapy these skills can be addressed with:
- Putting thoughts and feelings to music while songwriting.
- Asking the question: Is this song happy or sad?
2) Self-Management
Self-Management encompasses skills related to managing emotions and coping with stress. In music therapy, we can address these skills with:
3) Responsible Decision-Making
Responsible Decision-Making involves the ability to think critically of one’s actions and how our behavior impacts those around us. In music therapy this might look like:
- Learning how to play instruments and take care of them.
- Listening to peers in a group, being respectful and responding with kindness to their ideas.
4) Relationship Skills
Relationship skills involve social behaviors such as developing friendships and communicating with others. Since music is an innately social experience, it is common to address these skills in music therapy.
- Learning social songs to help children remember and learn the nuances of social behavior such as having conversations or what to do when someone gives a complement.
- Cultivating a hobby or shared interest with a classmate through music.
5) Social Awareness
Social Awareness skills involve understanding the perspectives of others and cultivating empathy. In music therapy this may look like:
- Discussing the meaning behind lyrics and considering what an artist was trying to express.
- Sharing instruments and taking turns during group music making experiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that now more than ever it is essential to take social-emotional learning seriously. The children in our community have so much to gain from adults in their lives valuing these skills.
If you think music therapy could be a helpful resource for a child you know to work on Social-Emotional Learning skills, please contact us. We would love to hear from you!
by Amy Thomas | Jan 11, 2016
This summer, my husband and I had the opportunity to go on a music-based mission trip to Belize with a local, non-profit organization called Guitars For Glory (GFG). Originally, they had asked my husband to go as the trip videographer, but when they found out I was a music therapist, they saw the benefits of having someone trained in the therapeutic aspect of music and invited me as well. A total of 19 people went on the trip, all whom work typical 9-5 jobs, but are incredibly talented musicians, worship leaders in their churches, spiritual leaders, and all affiliated with and representatives of Guitars For Glory. The guitar company, Fender, donated at-cost 14 acoustic electric guitars, 2 electric guitars, and 1 bass guitar for us to take to Belize. We also brought 2 kajones (box drums), and a petal board for the electric, hand made by one of our team members, who is the owner of Midnight 30 Music. The trip was a total of 7 days and we spent the majority of our time in the city of Belmopan.
We lead and participated in ministry every day, morning, noon, and night. In planning and organizing the trip, we partnered with Praying Pelican Missions, and were sent to lead music and worship training at the church, Casa De Dios. During morning ministry we had a kids VBS, which I had the privilege of leading music, dancing, and face painting. Another morning we visited an orphanage, which was one of the nicest facilities that we visited in Belize. The children were craving attention, making it difficult for the mere 19 of us to attend to and play with what seemed like hundreds of children, all ranging in age. One morning we were able to spend time in worship as a team, lifting up our voices and praising God. We had packed suitcases full of supplies for women and children’s ministry, which we were able to give away during small group time in the evenings.
Our main ministry was equipping the church, Casa De Dios, for worship, so we spent 3 days leading training workshops, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, keyboard, drum, and vocal lessons. I got to help lead the vocal training and on the first day, we were singing 3-part harmonies to the song, “Holy Spirit.” What a beautiful sound. We were able to give away all of the instruments that we brought to the church, Casa De Dios, and to some individuals that attended the music training.
For evening ministry, we lead worship in different places. The first night we arrived, we were waiting at Casa De Dios for the bus to pick us up. They were having their church service, but there was a Spanish language barrier. The church began singing a song in Spanish that some of us from GFG knew in English, so we were able to sing with the congregation, but in different languages. That’s when I realized that the power of God through music truly transcends all language. It was an incredible moment. The following night we lead worship in a street, shutting down a neighborhood street and inviting locals to come worship with us. Another night we lead worship outside of a high school and people gathered on a football field. That night it began raining really hard, so everyone tried to cram onto the small school porch. After a few minutes everyone started slowly going back out in the rain and continued worshiping. A little rain can’t hold us back!
While we were in Belize, we did get to see and experience the beauty of the country. We ate amazing food every meal that the pastor’s wife fixed, under the shade of a huge almond tree. We went cave tubing in the rainforest, seeing bats, crystals, stalagmite, and stalactite. We also rode in a water taxi out to one of the Keys and went snorkeling in the Caribbean in the second largest coral reef in the world. Later that day we swam with stingrays and nurse sharks. If you’ve never touched a stingray, they are super slimy! We also got to rub a shark’s belly, which is bumpy and tough. It was only moderately terrifying with these animals swimming around our legs. 😉
It was truly an incredible mission trip. It is possible that we will be going back next summer to equip other churches in Belize for worship. I feel so blessed that I not only got to experience the power of music in Belize, but that I get to experience it every day as a music therapist. What a gift.
You can find out more information about each organization as listed below:
www.guitarsforglory.com
www.prayingpelicanmissions.org
www.midnight30music.com
Mollie Flasch
