Music Therapy in the Media

Recently, music therapy has been getting much attention in the media through Gabrielle Gifford's recovery at TIRR in Houston.  She showed a courageous effort as she allowed America to see her improvements and recovery.  Gabby showed a determination that we all should have.  I am so thankful that she showed music therapy in such a positive light.  On February 27, 2012, there was another showcase of music therapy on PBS Newshour.  This story highlighted how music therapy is used in the medical setting.  Take a look at this incredible story which goes into detail about what a music therapist does in this setting.

Music Therapy Advocacy Month!

I am so proud to be a part of the music therapy family!  I feel a part of something great and wonderful that is changing people's lives.  Throughout my experience in school and clinically, I have been touched multiple times by the reactions of others to my field.  We don't just sing to people to make them feel better.  We work hard to benefit every aspect of a person in need's life.  Music Therapy happens to be a relatively new field officially created in the 1950's.  Though we have seen our profession in the spotlight much more lately through the news, movies, and online publications, music therapy is greatly in need of many more advocates.  Almost every week, I meet somebody or talk to somebody I have known for a long time that has no idea what music therapy is.  That is why it is so important to have people promote advocacy to further the field.  Below is all of the information you need to become a music therapy advocate.  Go on and jump on in to promote a life-changing profession!

Introduction: Advocacy --> Recognition --> Access

Since 2005, the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists have collaborated on a State Recognition Operational Plan. The primary purpose of this Plan is to get music therapy and our MT-BC credential recognized by individual states so that citizens can more easily access our services. The AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provide guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as they work towards state recognition. To date, their work has resulted in 35 active state task forces, 2 licensure bills passed in 2011, and an estimated 10 bills being filed in 2012 that seek to create either a music therapy registry or license for music therapy. This month, our focus is on YOU and on getting you excited about advocacy.

What is Advocacy?

Advocacy is for anyone. Advocacy happens everywhere, any day of the week, any time you are engaging in a professional capacity. You can advocate at every level, from grassroots in your community to state agencies and governors to national legislators. In fact, any opportunity and conversation is a way to advocate for the profession.

Advocacy also happens within our profession--as when you talk to a person trained in music therapy about board certification. Plus, the skills needed to be an advocate are skills you already have, since you already advocate for your clients, your employment, and your pay.

Advocacy is a language. You need to know your audience and tailor your advocacy skills for that audience. It's just like tailoring your clinical skills for different clinical populations. Don’t forget that experience is the best teacher--having your audience experience music therapy firsthand is very powerful.

What is the State Recognition Operational Plan and why is it important to music therapy?

The State Recognition Operational Plan is a national initiative being implemented jointly by CBMT and AMTA to obtain state recognition of music therapy and the MT-BC credential. This collaborative effort between AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provides guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as groups of music therapists work toward recognition as defined by their particular state.

The Plan involves increasing awareness of the music therapy profession and of what it means to be board-certified. The ultimate goal is that, in all situations, the MT-BC be a minimum requirement as a service provision in every work setting.

What kind of advocate are you? (Intro to the Advocacy quiz – also included in the Advocacy Quiz document)

There are many ways to be an advocate. You can be the one to talk face-to-face with a legislator or agency official, or the one who helps behind-the-scenes in organizing grassroots efforts. You can serve on a state task force or help out with periodic letter writing efforts and Hill Day events. What kind of advocate are you, a super-star or a behind-the-scene sleuth? Take this little quiz to find out! Be sure to let us know in the comments section what type of advocate you are.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT!

Superstar or Behind-the-Scenes Sleuth: What's Your Advocacy Style?

There are many ways to be an advocate. You can be the one who talks face-to-face with a legislator or agency official, or the one who helps behind-the-scenes in organizing grassroots efforts. You can serve on a state task force or help out with periodic letter writing efforts and Hill Day events. What kind of advocate are you: a superstar or a behind-the-scenes sleuth? Take this little quiz to find out!

Be sure to let us know in the comments section what type of advocate you are!

Take the Quiz

1. When asked by your state recognition task force if you know whom your current State Senator and/or Representative are, your reply is:

1. “Good question.”
2. “I think I know, but let me double-check.”
3. “Yes, I know the names but not much about them.”
4. “Yes, they’ve already heard from me about an issue.”

2. Which best describes the written correspondence (e.g. email, letter, etc.) you have had with your Senator and/or Representative:

1. I’m on a first-name basis with at least one of their staff members.
2. You’re kidding, right?
3. I’ve considered writing, but don’t really know how the process works.
4. I’ve made contact on at least one occasion about an issue.

3. You have been approached by your state recognition task force to participate in a “Hill Day” to make visits to legislators regarding state recognition of music therapy. Your first thought is:

1. “That sounds scary, but if you give me some guidance I’ll give it a shot.”
2. “Do you need me to help train others? I’ve done this before.”
3. “Isn’t there another committee or task I can help with?”
4. “I’m happy to go as long as I don’t have to do the talking.”

4. You are just settling in to your seat for a 2-hour flight when the person next to you asks, “What do you do?” After you respond, the questions begin. You think:

1. “I don’t mind sharing, but I want to listen to the CD I downloaded before this flight. Let’s wrap it up.”
2. “So far, so good. I hope I can answer all their questions.”
3. “Bring on the questions. I love these opportunities to educate!”
4. “I wish I’d said I was a dental hygienist.”

5. An agency that you work for has asked you to give a presentation about music therapy to their Foundation Board. You see this as:

1. A little bit of a daunting task but do-able, as long as you can confer with colleagues for help and practice.
2. An ulcer in the making. Is there someone else that can cover this one?
3. No sweat. I love doing this sort of thing and could do it in my sleep.
4. This could be fun. I have a little practice with this and welcome the chance to be in front of a new group.

6. You get a call from a colleague in the state association to talk about the “State Recognition Operational Plan” and what your thoughts are on pursuing licensure. You:

1. Recall hearing something about this and are glad for the chance to ask questions and talk about what is happening in the state.
2. Want to know about being more involved with the task force or how you can help.
3. Aren’t sure they have the right number.
4. Are part of the team making these calls.

7. As you sit down with the morning newspaper you notice that the opening of the current legislative session is front page news. The article outlines what the major issues are for this session. You:

1. Skip past that to find the weather for this week.
2. Skim through to get a sense of what issues are going to be “hot topics.”
3. Make a note to see what committees your Senator and Representative are on in case they might be able to help.
4. Wonder why the writer of this article didn’t cover the healthcare issues with the same depth as the online coverage that you’ve been following.

8. You receive an e-mail from your state task force asking you to complete a survey about your work as a music therapist. You:

1. Helped create the survey and look forward to compiling the results so you can figure out the music therapy profile in your state. What a great advocacy tool!
2. Hope to get around to it in the next week or so but think, “Haven’t I already answered these questions?”
3. Complete it right then and sign up to be contacted in the event that they need help with state recognition tasks.
4. Delete. No time for another survey.

9. At the urging of a friend you agreed to join your state task force. On the most recent call, the group is deciding who will take on particular tasks. You are most likely to:

1. Take the lead on writing correspondence to your colleagues as long as you can get some feedback and support from the other task force members.
2. Volunteer to be the chair of the task force. You are ready to lead!
3. Take on a task that can be done by searching the internet and providing information to help the group’s effort.
4. Participate in calls and weigh in with an occasional opinion about what the group should do next.

10. The efforts of your task force have paid off and there is a bill proposed to license music therapists going before the Health and Human Services Committee on the Senate side. Your sponsoring Senator has indicated that a few of you should speak at the hearing. You:

1. Look forward to hearing how that works out.
2. Are willing to contact a client’s family that might be willing to share their story.
3. Are happy to help organize materials as long as you don’t have to speak in front of anyone.
4. Have had your presentation and remarks ready for weeks. Bring on the committee.

Tally Your Score

Question 1: a=1, b=2, c=3, d=4

Question 2: a=4, b=1, c=2, d=3

Question 3: a=3, b=4, c=1, d=2

Question 4: a=2, b=3, c=4, d=1

Question 5: a=2, b=1, c=4, d=3

Question 6: a=2, b=3, c=1, d=4

Question 7: a=1, b=2, c=3, d=4

Question 8: a=4, b=2, c=3, d=1

Question 9: a=3, b=4, c=2, d=1

Question 10: a=1, b=3, c=2, d=4

What's Your Advocacy Personality?

Don't forget! Be sure to let us know in the comments section what type of advocate you are and who directed you to this quiz. :)

34-40 points: Loud and Proud

Maybe YOU should run for office?! Your advocacy style is a front-and-center, informed, direct approach. You aren’t afraid to take any and all opportunities presented to you to promote your cause. Whether it is making sure you are up-to-date with the latest “intel,” staying connected to your colleagues and professional happenings, writing e-mails or taking meetings, you make sure that you are well informed and that your voice is heard.

26-33 points: Not Afraid to Take the Lead

You are excited about the possibility of working for change and you aren’t afraid to talk to others or take on a leadership role as long as you have some support and guidance from others. You enjoy sharing ideas with about the profession and how to achieve change.

18-25 points: Behind-the-Scenes Sleuth

You are committed to helping out the group in a role that does not require you to be front and center. You work to stay informed and are happy to search the internet, write a letter or e-mail, or deal with tasks that allow you time to process and respond.

10-17 points: Supporting Role

While you feel invested, you aren’t necessarily comfortable being front-and-center to answer questions or lead the charge. You prefer a supportive role that helps further the cause. Rest assured that there are lots of advocacy tasks that would not get done without the support of those who are more comfortable doing the detail or research work that supports the more vocal members of the group. Maintaining membership and board-certification, responding to surveys and requests from your task force, and reading organizational news are ways to be involved without committing a huge amount of time.

Simple Joys of Music

     According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder that appear in infancy or early childhood.  CP is characterized by problems with muscle movements, coordination, and nerves.  Even though physical problems are one of the main complications in CP, it is caused from abnormalties in brain functions rather than in physical reasons.  Common physical characteristics include: ataxia (poor muscle coordination), spasticity (stiff/tight muscles), awkward gait, stiff/low muscle tone.

     CP can vary in degrees.  A person can be diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy needing assistance in ADL's (activities of daily living) and unable to walk.  There can also be a type of CP that is mild and a person might not need much assistance and only have slightly awkward gait.

     Yesterday my husband came home from clinical and had some interesting stuff to share with me.  He is currently in nursing school for his RN, BSN and goes to the hospital twice a week.  This week he worked with a 22 year old patient with cerebral palsy.  He inquired from the patient's chart that the patient also had scoliosis, pneumonia, history of staph infection (MRSA), and a trach in place.  This poor guy had a lot of things going on.  He was nonverbal and after brain function testing, found to have  the cognitive function of a ten year old.

     My husband was able to talk to the patient's father about his son's diagnosis.  My husband explained to me that the patient would lie in his bed staring at the ceiling barely acknowledging anything.  The patient would only smile, but that seemed to be at random times.  He asked the father if the patient was able to express much emotion or pain.  The father explained that he did not do much besides tense up when in pain and arch his back and smile when engaged or excited about something.  The father told my husband to watch something.  He went over by his son and found a television station that was playing George Strait music.  Instantly, the patient started wiggling with excitement and smiling from ear to ear.  As soon as his father turned off the music, he went right back to lying motionless and staring at the ceiling.  His father tried this several times and the same excited reactions appeared each time.

     How amazing is this?  A patient thought to have no interaction with the outside world shows such a great difference when music is brought into the picture.  And not just any kind of music.  Client preference is almost always the most effective way for them to experience music.  They can have association, memories, and special emotions attached to their favorite types.

     I always get to so excited when I hear how music can affect individuals, even in the simplest ways.  I hope to keep hearing about these special moments to further build the advocacy for music therapy.  It is not just about singing a merry tune and having fun.  Music therapy is about healing and love.

The Music Never Stopped

     Last night, I sat down to watch a movie I have been wanting to watch for some time.  The movie is called "The Music Never Stopped" and it is available in Redbox.  This movie is about a music therapist working with a man who has suffered from a tumor that affected a huge portion of his brain.  One big ability that was affected was his inhibition.  He lacked the restraint and filter he once had when speaking to others.  When somebody would speak to him saying, "Would you like a coke?", he would reply by saying, "It's the real thing."

   The movie continues to show his severe amnesia.  He remembers long term memories from his high school years and below.  The music therapist reveals this information when playing him music.  His mood instantly changes from stiff and passive to emotional and active.  When the therapist found his musical preference, he began telling stories of his younger days.  The therapist continues to work with him and finds that when she turns off the music, he goes back to his passive state.  One technique she used included playing music while asking him to remember a new phrase he had never heard before.  He repeats it back perfectly.  As soon as she turns off the music and asks for the same phrase, he cannot remember.  This is when she tries a new technique.  This technique is a neurologic music therapy technique called Rhythmic Speech Cueing.  When she turns off the music, she says the phrase again but taps out the rythmn while speaking.  She asks him to try the same thing and sure enough it works.  Later on in the movie he uses these techniques to remember a phrase taught to him by the therapist to greet a lady.  Amazingly, he retains this information even though he was not able to retain new memories in the past.  He begins to progress as music is used.  He is less rigid and more active even without music. 

   Towards the latter end of the movie, his father takes him to a Grateful Dead concert which is his favorite band.  He was never able to see them in the past.  At the concert he recognizes most of the songs except for one which he had never heard before.  In the past he had associated his old memories to songs he already knew.  But this new song had the potential for a new memory to keep long term.  He sang the song with his father and they shared in singing together.  If you plan on watching this movie and don't want me to spoil the ending, go ahead and stop reading right now. 

   After this concert and the bonding between them, his father has a heart attack and passes away later.  At the funeral, upon his father's last wishes, the new song by the Grateful Dead is played in remembrance of him.  The son plays back the memory of the concert in his head and tears rush out of his eyes.  He remembered their special time together.  The amazing thing is that he associated a new long term memory to a new song he had never heard in the past.  This shows the great power music can have.  Even when there looked to be no possible way for him to create new memories, music changed his life.  I definitely recommend watching this movie.  It definitely shows the power of music to heal people.

Here is the trailer: