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It’s the weekend! Time to recharge!

It's no secret that those in "helping professions" sometimes neglect their own needs.  Sometimes we do sessions about relaxation and self-care, but do we always live up to what we preach?  As we head into the weekend, think about some ways you can really nurture yourself.  You deserve it! Here are some ideas: Listen to music YOU want to hear.  Or even enjoy some silence! Explore other arts, such as drawing or painting. Take a bubble bath. Enjoy an ice cold (advertise your beer here!) Watch HGTV Call a friend…
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Ipod Therapy? Well, maybe sort of…

The Story Main points: Clarification and Gentle Education One thing the profession is trying to do is clarify the role of music therapy in the various treatment populations.  Some may say, "Music is music. Who cares who is providing it?"  There may be some truth to this.  How is a music therapist providing music in a nursing home any different than a performer who comes in?  At its most basic level, there really is no difference.  Music therapists play notes, they play notes.  The difference is how MT's use the…
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“My job was to awaken possibility in other people.”

Benjamin Zander is highly comedic in this internet talk, yet very inspiring.  He discusses the presentation of classical music, as well as the passion and intention behind much of the music.  There are two things he mentions that I would like to discuss and apply to music therapy.  The first is Zander's assertion that no one is tone deaf, and the second is the quote that is the title of this post. How often during sessions do we hear, "Oh, I can't sing," or "I'm tone deaf."  We hear this…
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Music Therapy and rap in the news

The Story The link here is to a story about one of the sessions that took place at the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) Conference 2009.  The session was about the application of rap music in therapy.  His description of the setting is appreciated:  "Instead of being silly, the sight of mostly middle-aged white women rapping without judging each other seemed empowering, energizing, awesome even." It is inspiring that therapists who may very well pre-date the development of rap are willing to learn its history and culture.  With their open-mindedness,…
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Music therapy with Veterans

The story This is an interesting article about a non-profit that provides services to war veterans in the form of guitar lessons.  It doesn't really consult a music therapist or refer to Music Therapy as an independent field, but I like the concept of providing instruments to veterans who may then learn an instrument and develop coping skills. SO, maybe an MT-BC could offer some consult services or direction to help the organization reach its goals?  Or find some way to get involved?  Just an idea... I searched for research…
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Advocacy in Action-A Great Example

The Link:  Good work, Ms. Coviak I found this article and wanted to make a couple comments about it.  First, what a great example of advocacy.  Kellee represented the field of music therapy at a local school's career fair, which is a great way to get kids interested early.  Some know when they graduate high school that they want to go into music therapy.  On the other hand, I know many who did not discover the degree program until well into or even after their undergraduate coursework.  Perhaps if they…
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