I'm a Music Therapist

I was faced with a glaring awareness of my ignorance that I hadn’t felt since I started my job in dementia care, after completing my internship in a medical setting. I was asked to speak to a support group for those living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers, along with some experientials so members could get a feel for music therapy. Preparing for the session made me nervous that I couldn’t serve the needs of the support group after specializing in memory loss the previous two years. But as a music therapist, opportunities to work in settings outside my comfort zone are almost inevitable.

Because music is a universal experience, it can be harnessed to benefit an astounding range of clinical settings. With over 35 populations listed in the American Music Therapy Association’s 2014 Workforce Analysis, music therapists are qualified to provide music experiences with all stages of the lifespan from infants in the NICU to those in hospice.

Although music therapists have the appropriate music and clinical foundation to work with everyone, this does not negate the need for evidence-based practice and the importance of preparation when walking into a new setting. Whether it’s a student in her first practicum experience or a seasoned professional, music therapists are obligated to do their homework before working with a new population.

Below are four ideas when researching new clinical settings.

1. Dive into the research. Google Scholar makes it easy to find the most recent research on music therapy and most any population. You don’t have to read the entire article, just utilize your critical thinking skills: What were the outcomes of the music therapy study? What specific interventions were utilized? How can I replicate and/or adapt these findings into my client or group’s situation?

Check the Methods section to get details of the interventions used so that you have a concrete model when designing your session. Brushing off your Journals of Music Therapy and issues of Music Therapy Perspectives are also great places to look.

2. Talk to an experienced professional. Especially if this is a population you’ll be working with on a regular basis, seek out a conversation with a music therapist who has already worked in this area. Although research studies constitute much of our evidence-based practice, there is no substitute for the clinical insight that hands-on experience brings. Again, ask questions: What works well for you when working with this population? What are the indications and contraindications of using music therapy with this population? You want to know what interventions are most appropriate and which are inappropriate from a safety and well-being standpoint.

If you aren’t able to speak with a professional in-person, check out the AMTA Pro Podcasts available as a Members Only resources for those who hold membership with the American Music Therapy Association. There are dozens and dozens of these podcasts in which leaders in the field talk about their experiences with specific populations. Chances are that you’ll find one that can inform your practice.

3. Watch video of music therapists working. Sometimes seeing is believing (that you can do it)! Videos can be a valuable learning tool by modeling some aspects of a music therapy session. While you’re unlikely to find very specific information as many videos are short media blurbs about music therapy, small details can be found. For example, by searching for music therapy with Parkinson’s disease, I was able to get a feel for the types of clients I might have in my session, how the room was set-up, and the types instruments used.

As always, be vigilant of the quality of the videos you find. Is it depicting a session led by a board-certified music therapist? What adaptations need to be made to account for the differences between the video and your clinical setting?

4. Search social media archives and blogs. If you’re new to a clinical population, chances are someone else has been there too and had the guts to ask for tips on social media. I find the facebook group Music Therapists United! to have a strong community that discusses a wide range of searchable subjects that cover all areas of music therapy practice. Warning: do not use these groups a shortcut and post a vague, uninformed question. It comes off as lazy and doesn’t bring the depth of knowledge that proper research yields.

One last tip before you start geeking out about music therapy and how it can save the world (or at least benefit a specific population). Be cautious about how far second-hand learning that can take you and know your limits as a music therapist. Make sure you have established rapport and have a feel for a population before diving into the meatier aspects of music therapy.

For this Parkinson’s support group, I knew that music therapy for gait training is an established protocol, but for safety’s sake I would never try to provide this intervention without seeking out supervision from a music therapist with enactive NMT experience. Similarly, those looking into guided imagery, working in the NICU, and other settings that have many specialized contraindications should look into advanced training or consultation before providing these services.

Hopefully these ideas will get you started when working outside your clinical comfort zone. It is possible to be a Jill or Jack of all trades and excel in many settings, but for clinical safety and quality, research and awareness of our limits as clinicians must be respected. Best of luck!