Music Therapy Journeying

Music transcends culture and language barriers.

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:32:00 +1000

Music transcends culture and language barriers.:

Still one of my favourite clinical vignettes I love to read occasionally.

Created a group #musictherapy progress note template which...

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 23:41:03 +1000

Created a group #musictherapy progress note template which includes the sitting plan. I find the visual reference so useful when recalling what happened during the session.

Perhaps next I could put abbreviations what instruments were used too.

Hey, I want to become a music therapist so badly. I did work experience with severely autistic kids and loved it. How did you become a music therapist?

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:35:49 +1000

I became a music therapist while being in Australia, by getting trained from an accredited course, and fulfilling a certain amount of practicum hours as a music therapy student. This is to ensure that we get as much practical experience as possible, and seeing first-hand how theoretical concepts translate to clinical practice.

Music therapy is not limited to working with children with autism and it can be applicable across all ages and background. It’s an extremely rewarding career. If you are from USA, you could check out musictherapy.org, or austmta.org.au if in Australia for information. Good luck!

"Let the music do the work"

Fri, 31 May 2013 02:13:00 +1000

Time and time again, I have the so-called magic moments in session that seem to always happen when I have a visitor in the room.

I got a referral last week for a student having behavioural problems. The team had exhausted all options before looking to music therapy as an option. Understandably, it’s not an approach commonly associated with behavioural management; and it is certainly not associated with the way I work.

So student A had a wandering and dashing-around issue, and he was constantly pursued by someone who is trying to make him sit down. He has been described as someone who has never been able to sit on a chair still for more than 4seconds.

So a member of the team suggested that he is taken to the music therapy room, and we will work together and see how we can help him attain the eventual aim - for him to be more settled and have better on-seat behaviour.

During the first session, he explored the room and dashed around the moment he entered the room. I watched him from a distance, allowing him to roam around the room and just made sure he didn’t do anything to endanger himself. The colleague and I experimented with several options:

1) live music and all that iso-principal/matching thing
2) improvisation
3) recorded music which we prepared.

Nothing worked. He had a ball running around the room and playing with instruments.

I used to be really anxious about students wandering everywhere in the room but have since become more laid back about it. I have been really influenced by this paper I’ve been reading about taking a strength-based perspective, but work truly since become better and easier to manage.

So when I debriefed and wrote my clinical notes, I placed myself in the perspective of a child coming into a room full of instruments for the first time. Instead of curbing that urge at the very beginning, allowing the student to explore the room probably established the first positive association he had with music therapy?

In the second session, I thought I would try the non-verbal approach, in which I have recorded music but no direct instructions from me. As I ran through my music playlist I assessed what kind of music would suit him. It was a calculated guess, going through songs and thinking whether the tempo/timbre/pitch/arrangement/lyrics would suit our session.

To set up the room, I dimmed the lights and placed a chair near the speakers. Finally I settled with Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years. As the music began, I invited him into the room while singing softly along. I led him into the middle of the room and sat him down in the chair, kneeling next to him and just being there.

At that point, the magic moment happened. He sat in the chair, listened to the song attentively. He had a serene look on his face, and closed his eyes at some point with a slight smile. After being there with him for a couple of minutes, I placed my palms open and invited him to hold it. He did not initiate, so I placed my left hand over his and rocked slowly to the song. Student A did not resist; and he allowed me to interact with him for a few minutes. He retracted his hand after that, and I thought it was nice for him to indicate that he was done with me.

The colleague who had been working with him for a few months, managed to capture the whole session with her cameraphone. I then walked over to her, and gestured for her to interact with student A. He sat still throughout this session, which had been around the 7 minute mark now. She went over and attempted a similar interaction with him. He allowed her to do the same, and I thought it was very nice to set up that moment for them to interact in an environment different from a behavioural management perspective. She was clearly very happy to see A being this responsive and it was truly, truly, a golden moment to remember.

At the end of this activity, he had sat still for over 10 minutes. No coercing, no tears and no physical force on him. As for the colleague, after the session she said that she was so moved by his behaviour that she almost teared. For me, I felt truly privileged for A to show that side of him which very few people got to see.

And now in music therapy, I am able to to show his teachers and classmates what he is capable of doing.

Sing-a-long

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +1000

Several weeks back I attended the Harlem Gospel Choir concert where I witnessed the choir leading the audience through an amazing experience.

Over the two hours, from a still and reserved audience to the electrifying, boisterous and dancing crowd at the end of the concert. I have never, ever seen the Esplanade Concert Hall so full of life before.

For me, it was a first to be singing and thoroughly enjoying myself without restrain in a concert hall where the appropriate behaviour is to not make a single sound throughout the show. Reconnecting with music this way made me think of my work (again), and how can I bring this kind of organic experience into my group sessions. Communal singing is so powerful, and intimate.

I find myself drawn more and more to the context-based approach at work recently, and it has influenced the way I set out my group sessions. People have told me that communal singing in Singapore schools is an impossible project, but so far I am liking what I see during the sessions.

sing your heart out!

My first inservice talk at work

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:44:00 +1000

Advocating for oneself, and being the lone ranger of the music therapy department within the organisation means I have to be smart in picking my battles. Strategic self-advocating is important in our profession because people often don’t realise they have a music therapist in the organisation.

Around my second week at work, I approached the Principal for a time to introduce myself, and my work to the rest of the school. The day finally came, and as I was preparing my 10 minute spiel, I considered approaching this opportunity in many ways:

To talk about what is music therapy?
What are the IEP goals music therapy may address?
What qualifications does a music therapist need?

Even though these topics seem pertinent to address, it wasn’t ideal for a first (proper) first meeting with the entire organisation - almost 100 of them attending there. Eventually I took a different stance to my maiden speech, aiming to let them know he person who is here in the organisation. I am more than just a music therapist, I am a person offering a unique set of experiences which influences the way I work. What I have to offer is more than just music therapy.

I offer my humanistic perspective, meeting at where the child is at.
I offer my experiences of working in a special school in Melbourne where I saw the amazing work of my supervisor, and the power of THE WAIT.
I offer my belief in the power of live, communal singing. Maternal singing, is extremely important.
I offer knowledge of evidence-based practice in music therapy,
I offer my keen eye of observation especially during musical interactions.

So I decided to condense the inservice into three concise points:

Self-introduction and briefly my experiences;
Reflections after doing all the class observations, what are the strengths in their use of music within classroom;
The aim of the music therapy program proposed to address some of the needs I had observed in class, as well as referrals from colleagues.

The talk went well and after that I had teachers coming up to me sharing their experiences with me. It took me 2 years (and counting) to figure out what music therapy even remotely means. Surely, the continual education and advocating for my colleagues would take more than just a 10-minute speech.

I guess for now, it would be a good start for us to know one another first, person-to-person.

Random reflection:

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:45:56 +1000

2012 was a year of ‘do’ - doing uni stuff, working on a project, doing tasks I set out achieving;
2013 seems like a year of ‘re’ - moving home, reconnecting, rediscovering, revealing;
2014 could be a year of ‘mi’ - milestones, more ‘me’ time, and perhaps becoming a millionaire? Positive vibes all around for a great week ahead :)

Status update - complete!

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:49:05 +1100

I handed in my final piece of assignment last week, and now I am officially done with my training to be a music therapist!

It has been an eventful journey so far. What have I learnt over the last two years?

It is okay not to know.

I don’t really know.

But it’s ok. We keep learning.

Yep.

Final stage of data analysis of the thesis

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:51:26 +1100

"Well, it depends."

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:55:19 +1100

“Well, it depends.”

When I read a music therapy article by Bruscia

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:47:00 +1000

Drumming a moment - Ida's story

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 01:16:18 +1000

Today I had a session with an infant (let’s call her Ida) today who has been warded for awhile. She is a bub whom I have been trying to catch for awhile now, as she is usually heavily sedated or asleep. Ida is warded for several complications and is a very, very ill bub.

Her family has migrated from South Sudan, and it was the first time I met her mom today .When I walked into the room, Ida’s Mom was sitting by the bedside and staring blankly at her. The family has been going through some tough moments recently, and I had to think of something for Ida, and her mom at that moment.

I introduced myself and my bag of instruments upon entering the room. Precocious Ida noticed my trolley and her mom was a little wary of me. I spent some time joining Ida’s mom, staring at Ida for awhile. Eventually Ida’s mom asked me what I was there for, and I said I usually came by in the afternoons to have some music time with Ida.

Whenever Ida looked at mom, she would respond with some sudanese phrases. I asked her what they meant, and she taught me some phrases she would usually say to Ida. Picking up on something we had in common, I commented that babies usually responded best to their mother tongue.

Next, I asked about the kind of songs she would have sung to Ida and she said she sang no particular songs, just the ones she learnt from her mother. She was not comfortable in sharing, but noticed that I had a lollipop drum behind me. I asked if it was something she knew how to play, and she nodded, saying it was something she used to play back in her country.

The conversation locked in on the common topic we had from then on. She spoke of her musical past and how she used to sing and play the drums. As I did not have a djembe with me, I could only offer the lollipop drum for her to show me what she played.

I held the handle of the drum horizontally so it resembled a djembe as her fingers executed this beautiful, compound syncopated rhythm. Ida’s gaze was locked onto her mom, and I vocally improvised over the rhythmic sequence we had, embellished with some bells. Ida’s mom played a rhythm that was complex, sophisticated and simply brought out a different personality of her.

For that brief moment, we were attuned in this moment of meeting. She stopped after around two minutes, and I complimented on her fantastic playing. When asked how she felt about the drumming and Ida’s reaction, she said she could see that Ida enjoyed her playing through the prolonged eye contact and smiling.

The speech pathologist came in to observe our interaction to see how Ida responded musically. With Ida looking so engaged with her mom and I, she suggested we co-treat during her speech sessions.

We ended the session when Ida indicated she was no longer available for us (head turning away, frowning..). I said I would bring a better drum next time, if I see her around the ward. Hopefully this positive encounter would encourage her to interact more with Ida.

Two hours later, I walked past Ida’s room and saw Mom still sitting there. Singing softly to Ida.

Placement 4, Week 6

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:49:00 +1000

Perhaps it is the culmination of everything that resulted in today’s meltdown. I am been coping, some even say coping well. Truth is, as much as an extrovert I may be, when serious shit hits the fan I still end up withdrawing. I guess it’s time to step out and acknowledge these stressors once again, because being this way will only hurt myself, people around me, especially those who meant well.

So back at placement. Feelings of being not good enough came up again today, after a conversation with my supervisor where I was challenged to think deep and critically. I usually cope fine when she throws me five questions for every question I ask her. Sometimes it even becomes something I look forward to, because I do learn a lot from thinking critically. Today was one day I could not cope with her questions. Holding myself together till I got home, I bawled and allowed myself to sink into that deep dark place of unworthiness again.

I questioned myself: why each time, as much as I try to avoid this deep dark place of self-loathing, why do I end up here, every.single.time? I could blame the hormones of PMS for this, or my inability to meet my supervisor’s expectations, or many other reasons. But the fact that remains is this - Idoend up in this deep dark place of unworthiness.

So after a good bawl and calming down, I gathered my thoughts and wrote the following questions down as part of my reflection:

When were the times I ended up in this state?
What usually happened after this?
What did I usually do after that?

The questions provided a framework to work my thoughts around, but the general idea was that, things always got better. Only by being in this miserable, contemplative state, would I take time to reflect properly. I backtracked today’s conversation with the supervisor and thought of her questions once again:

Did I get her message as she intended, or was there a miscommunication?
Were her remarks fair: was she comparing me, and if she was - with who?
Did she get my message as I had intended?
Did I convey my actions clear enough for her to appraise me the way she did?

Allowing myself to indulge in the sad place when I needed it, and being able to pull back and look at things reflexively - I thank my deep dark place for allowing the space to think differently, critically, and lovingly about myself.

That deep dark place will always remain in my life. I just have to remember, to step out when I am done in that space.

I can’t always be a great music therapist. I can’t do everything right, especially not in someone else’s eyes or in hypothetical situations. I can’t have 3 great sessions without having 1 devastating experience to learn from (the success rate increases with experience).

After all, you cannot have a rainbow without a little rain.

what college do you go to? I'm looking into going to college for music therapy and am really nervous about finding a good school

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:18:18 +1000

Sorry I just saw this question. I am currently attending University of Melbourne in Australia. You can check out this fb group “Music Therapists Unite” where there is a huge community of music therapists who might be able to answer your question better. Good luck!

Gainfully employed!

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:38:00 +1000

There was some hesitation on my part, and really it was something I applied on a whim. Being the procrastinator I am, I churned out the full works (resume, cover letter, selection criteria) in 30mins on the day of the deadline. It was a full-time position and I applied for it thinking the job could wait till November to begin.

I was on the verge of calling up the manager because I didn’t feel it was the job for me. So did some of my friends agree. But I never made that call, and soon the referees were asked to give a reference for me. It was during one of these conversations with my referees/mentors (former clinical supervisors and current lecturers) where they really encouraged me to go for it. One of them raised this important point: Sometimes you don’t know till you try. Which made me think over my decision to decline it. One week later, they called me back. As they got some really good references, they are now willing to change to job to a part-time position just to retain me. However the funding for the project has begun so I need to start work next month. Four months before graduation and I have been offered a job, that should be something worth celebrating!

This is a project officer role in a Chinese community organisation, managing an 18-month project working with the elderly with dementia, and their families.

After some reflection on my part, it became apparent even though the job may not get me doing a lot of ‘active’ music, but it certainly could equip me with skills I find useful in the future:

1) Project Management - enough said.

2) Working with the Asian community - definitely relevant and extremely useful experience if I decide to return to Singapore to practice in the future.

3) Working with key stakeholders in national organisations, government bodies who are all part of this pilot research project. Research!

and lastly..

4) Helping old folks and their carers to make their lives a little bit brighter through the various uses of music (being vague here deliberately.

Still keeping my thesis and University work in mind, here’s hoping I can manage. Extremely blessed and being thankful. Happy to be given this opportunity.

Adjusting perspectives on the thesis

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:56:00 +1000

Lately I have been in this deep zone of contemplation that is necessary at this point of my training. I am not very good at processing my thoughts through writing, and sometimes I end up with really good revelations through verbal processing. In this post I want to share a little bit about my journey with my minor thesis research so far, how things have changed since I last wrote here.

I started the year planning for this study on social media and music therapy, feeling a little skeptical and worried about the topic. I constantly referred to my topic during conversations as ‘the fluffy topic’, ‘nobody is interested but me’, ‘it’s really fluff hence quite easy’.

It was not fluffy, or uninteresting. I made it look that way.

During supervision I frustrated my supervisor and I when I kept changing my research question because I was not sure what I wanted. Eventually she took a firm stand and told me to sort myself out and have a bit more faith in myself. I went for a long walk and came back with a fixed research question but the talk about it being ‘fluffy’ remained. I was in denial.

Thesis writing has this reputation to be dreadful, the necessary thing to go though, researchisnotforrealworld, etc. Perhaps I was embarrassed of the fact that I found my research fun, and I really liked it. Everything makes sense to me but I did not want to be the only one who thought that way.

Researching the literature review marked the turning point for me. As I sourced more literature beyond music therapy (where there was barely anything relevant), I found my network. My gut feeling proved me right that it is an emerging movement and that what I am interested in, has real relevance and value to the profession.

Literally shaking with excitement from this self-revelation, I wrote an email to my supervisor that looked a little like this:

I’m just writing to you to about an epiphany while writing this literature review. It occurred to me that music therapists are in the midst of adopting Web 2.0 as part of their practice (e.g. Songwriting over Skype, Online conferences, MT blogs) … Before I get too carried away and excited about articulating what Web2.0 in Music Therapy might mean to the profession, I just thought it is great to share how I have renewed confidence and belief in my study (it’s not fluffy anymore!) . Everything is right there for a paper waiting to be written and shared. Wish there is time for all of that to happen!

Things just got better from then on. I had an exact idea what I needed to know, and where I needed to find it. A literature review was crafted with love, and I had good feedback for that. This further reinforced my belief that with positive intent, beautiful messages can be conveyed. I am really quite proud of this little thesis baby, and I have full faith in the process and the results at the end.

Data analysis is happening at the moment and emerging themes are coming up. It is not easy, but nobody said it cannot be enjoyable. As I am preparing my presentation for the Australian Music Therapy conference in September, I shall be calling it my research on social media & music therapy for a minor thesis, instead of my minor thesis study.

I am thankful that I am made to go through this deep contemplative process looking at the purpose behind an intention (Helen Shoemark was right - it drives you nuts). It’s going to be a good one.

Spiegel Im Spiegel was often used in my previous placement as a...

Fri, 25 May 2012 03:19:00 +1000

Spiegel Im Spiegel was often used in my previous placement as a progressive muscle relaxation piece and it has become my meditative piece as well.

At 3am and still writing an assignment, this just seem like the appropriate music to drown out the annoying ticking clock on the wall.

Memories tucked in the back of my mind for such a long time that...

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:09:00 +1000

Memories tucked in the back of my mind for such a long time that I was taken aback this afternoon when someone brought this song to share in class, for a group exercise. An album by Lisa Ekdahl was given to me by my then-boyfriend because he was a music editor of a magazine and that was one of the albums he had to review.

I sat in class this afternoon and this was what happened in my head (vivid details)

The intro of the song did not become apparent to me immediately, and I had forgotten who sang that song. When the vocals came in, it sent a chill down my spine where I almost instantly reminded of Fort Canning. I closed my eyes and relished in being in the music for the next few minutes. My mind tried to conjure up some familiar images of the best but it was confusing. It didn’t make much sense but I had an idea what it was about. I was back in Singapore in 2006. Walking up the many many steps at Fort Canning to get to choir practices at Savaskool. The wooden floor and the room which was always too cold. The sharing we did after each practice, sitting in a circle and being thankful of something each week. The feeling of being a stranger initially in this group I now I call my closest friends, The days where I looked forward to Tuesdays every week where I got a respite from a reality I resented. The suppers we had at Kopitiam after choir practices, how music saved me from feeling disconnected with reality. The feeling of amazement where I realised that it was possible to reconnect with music after such a long break from it.

After the song ended we had to verbally process about class stuff, I was still in the space of 2006 back in Singapore. I came around when the next song began and we had to listen to it intently.

I came home later in the evening and listened to the song again, on repeat for 3 times. Images became moving scenes, I can hear the dialogue and songs we used to sing now. I miss them. Especially those who have lost touch over the years.

If not for the encounter with Vox and meeting Shah and many other amazing people, I might have never considered music therapy.

It was lovely revisiting the past through the song. I don’t think in 2006 I could have ever seen myself being the way I am today. Yet, I have grown and gotten so far since. Life is good.

Really excited that I’m starting the Neurologic Music...

Fri, 11 May 2012 23:06:40 +1000

Really excited that I’m starting the Neurologic Music Therapy training tomorrow. My crazy decision to take Neuropsychology as a minor for undergraduate training can finally be justified.

I often used this song to help me memorize the various parts of the brain. Ah, good memories!

Music: the key to wellbeing | News.com.au

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:46:22 +1000

Music: the key to wellbeing | News.com.au