Share your thoughts with the board members on the role of music therapy in community based settings.

[Meredith Pizzi]

[Kayla Lyles]

I believe music therapy in the community is unique in the fact that we provide opportunities for families to connect. So many activities are geared just towards kids, or just towards adults – but not towards family and working together. When you have that element, plus multiple families together, so many barriers are broken down. Families see that not only are they similar, but that what we have to offer as music therapists is just as beneficial as other activities and groups they may be a part of.

[Jacquelyn Blankinship]

I think that music therapy in the community is a fantastic thing. In thinking about how it relates to Sprouting Melodies 1 – the community feel as a support to the parents feels very similar to group process in mental health. Having members of the community make up the group allows for parents to see so many things: that they’re not alone in their struggles, that others who have had similar struggles now have progressed out of that stage and they will too, sharing resources and strategies, seeing the progress of other children in the group and being able to look forward to progress in their own child, etc. And the use of MUSIC in these groups takes all of this to a whole other level – one that allows for increased bonding (with others in the group and with their child) among many other things. And for the babies at this young stage – music is the perfect tool to use with them in order to connect and bond before language development is really there. As we know, music seems to be innate through the rhythms of the body (beating heart, breathing, etc.) and so it makes sense that music can be a kind of window into a child’s being before other avenues are accessible.

[Milijana Majstorovic Kozul]

Music therapy in community is GREAT thing generally for music therapy promotion as a profession and can bring some other perspective especially to the families. This idea to bring non clinical approach of music therapy, could also be great opportunity to make this “wellness” point of view closer to people who are not so familiar with music therapy, like it is in my country. As a someone who is working with a parents and babies under 1 I can say that bonding process is very important and most of the parents don t clearly know what it is, ok they have instincts, but programs like Sprouting Melodies 1 can give them a structure and meaning for future bonding activities and it can be very useful and practical for them and the most important they can experience it right now. Also I agree what Jacquelyn said.

[Jaycie Voorhees]

I haven’t done much community music therapy in my practice, however the idea is intriguing to me. The biggest difference that is apparent to me is the lack of the clinical aspect including assessment, charting, etc., which honestly feels very free and open. I currently provide groups at a school where they are labeled “Music Enrichment” and I can see that fitting into this type of community model because I don’t have assessments or goals, but I most definitely utilize my unique skills as a music therapist to provide high quality and meaningful musical and bonding experiences for the students. Fortunately this school recognizes the value of my music therapy training, and they love the angle and perspective I bring to these groups because of my background.

I feel that the role of music therapy in community based settings is to allow access to the inherent power of music to more individuals, including those who may not have specific delays, and it focuses on their strengths and allows for unique growth and development. This is giving me a lot to think about regarding my current practice and how I structure my services and how I could potentially change some of my methods of delivery. Some wheels are turning…

[Megan Dewing]

I think that music therapy has something important to share with others in community based settings. We have knowledge that others might not have. This makes us uniquely able to give support those others in these community groups. As Kayla said, there are not always activities geared toward families. As music therapists we are able to work and adapt to include all ages in the music experience and help every participant to get something out of the class. We are also able to offer other support, such as developmental information and referral sources, that other individuals or companies may not. The information and support that we are able to offer families is unique, and our parents find it beneficial as well.

[Amanda Braden]

I agree with each of your thoughts on this. I really believe that it’s very healthy and valuable for people to be out in their community and connecting with other people, especially those who are in the same stage of life. As some of you have already mentioned, I think it’s very important for parents of young children to be able to connect with other parents in order to support each other and receive validation as they raise their growing children. Community based groups like Sprouting Melodies can provide that opportunity for parents with young children in the community. Also, it’s very important to provide education to parents about development to better understand where their child is and how they can connect with them as they develop. It’s also important to provide parents with tools and resources that they can use in their child’s daily life to support them as they grow. So, I think that as music therapists providing these community based groups, we can offer that to parents and families. Also, in providing community based services, we can utilize it as an opportunity to advocate for clinical music therapy and help develop education and awareness of music therapy and its value and effectiveness as a service. In participating in groups led by music therapists, our families will receive a greater understanding of music therapy and can become music therapy advocates in our communities.

[Michelle Russell]

Support. Groups provide support. Providing a service like Sprouting Melodies in the community brings people together. The facilitators can provide support for both children and parents. The parents can provide support to one another. As music therapists we need to define for our families how a program such as Sprouting Melodies is a wellness model. It is our responsibility to share with them the types of work that we and other music therapists do in a more formalized clinical setting. By stressing the value of both we continue to educate about our profession.

[Darcy Lipscomb]

We as music therapists have an amazing set of skills that allow us to provide top quality opportunities to our community. I believe that people are beginning to realize the difference in the services we offer, but I also believe there is confusion which signifies a need for more education and outreach. One challenge of community based programming is building a following. Again, this comes back to education – Educating your partners and connections in the community as to whom would be the perfect referral for a Sprouting Melodies class.

[Anonymous]

I love how you each identified ways that music therapists can be of service to their communities. And, how we have something very unique. Darcy thank you for pointing out how important it is to build relationships within our communities and to take advantage of these opportunities to educate and support.

[Kristina Rio]

It was so great reading all of these responses! I’m so glad to hear that the wheels are turning for you Jaycie!

[Christine Czuhajewski]

I agree with what all of you have said about music therapy in the community being a wonderful opportunity for all involved. It provides parents with a way to meet other parents and compare their parenthood experiences. Having this kind of external support system would probably be very beneficial, especially for parents who might not have a strong support system otherwise. It seems that in modern society, parents are seeking more opportunities for their children of all ages to get involved and find as much enrichment as possible. Community music classes are a great way for young children to have a structured and fun experience to share with their parents. I also think this is a fantastic thing opportunity for all communities because it is live, in the moment and involves so much in person contact. There are a lot of child-oriented tv programs and videos available that some kids love to watch on repeat, but those programs don’t allow them to have the live music experience that caters to their movements and reactions. I imagine that, for an infant, coming to a class like Sprouting Melodies 1 would be so much more exciting for them than just recorded media.

This type of community music experience reaches a specific age group, and it is good that there are community based opportunities for different age groups. When I was a music therapy student, I had the opportunity to attend community drum circles facilitated by local music therapists. It was a great opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to mix and share music together. Music therapists are very specially trained to be able to make community music experiences accessible and adaptable for many different populations.

[Katie Whipple]

Oh my goodness! I cannot say enough about the role of MT in the community. I have worked with adults with developmental disAbilities for the last 9 years and there is nothing quite like having volunteers and students be a part of our music therapy groups and then to watch these integrated groups perform is so magical. True wellness (in all domains… physical, emotional, etc.) naturally encompasses a person’s place in his or her community. And… regardless of ability or disability it is so important that each human being feels like a part of their own community and can contribute in a meaningful way. Because music is so social in nature it is the perfect tool to bridge anyone into his or her community. The focus for the classes that I will offer after this training is INCLUSIVE music for everyone. I have seen the effects of institutionalization and if we can provide our children in this generation a chance to be within their community rather than tucked away just think about the life long skills and relationships they will have! I do feel that traditional clinical music therapy has a place but I also feel that ultimately it is my goal as an MT to help each person progress into his or her community as a happy, contributing member. All that being said I think that many others including parents feel this way and it is a true need for many communities.

[Mary Withington]

I’m not sure I agree that a music therapist led music group that focuses on individual developmental goals and meets the children where they are developmentally, is adaptive and responsive to their and their families needs is not music therapy. Kindermusik classes that I do right now aren’t MT, but are better because I use my skills. But it is a predetermined curriculum. If a music therapist designs a class around the specific developmental needs of the specific children in the class, how is is that not music therapy? Just because you don’t have a treatment plan? Why couldn’t goals be set for children in the group if it’s a special needs group? I’m getting a MT intern in the fall and as a private practionaer am looking for ways she can have a more varied experience. I think community based MT groups would be good for me to start, not only in early childhood, but with developmentally delayed adults at The Station Club, older adults at a senior housing apartment complex or the senior center. Also through the Autism Society. I’m leading a music therapy 2 hour session in a 3 day workshop next month for wounded warriors, focusing on stress management, resiliency, and family life, and this is a big area for community based MT in the military.
Pp

[Anonymous]

Hi Mary,

In a music therapy group we do focus on individual developmental goals and meeting the children where they are developmentally while adapting and being responsive to their needs. We also perform a clinical assessment and treatment plan that includes specific goals and objectives for the individuals and the group. Typically this is done with a group of individuals who have a special need, i.e. autism, down syndrome, and etc. Sprouting Melodies is a non-clinical program that is designed for all children, with or without a disability, and we utilize music and movement experiences that focus on development and family bonding. We are adapting and moving to meet the needs of each family, however we are not focused on specific goals or skills for any one family or treating a specific need or disability. Although there is a group called Special Sprouts that is tailored just for children and families with a disability, it is not a therapy group. Like Family Sprouts, SM 1, 2, and 3, Special Sprouts is a community group that does not address specific therapeutic goals, but rather development as a whole and family bonding. Sprouting Melodies is unique in that the provider runs the program and writes, adapts, and/or chooses the music/experiences that will best meet the needs of the families in their community. They do not have to use specific music or session formats that are created and chosen by Beth or Meredith. We are very clear with our families that Sprouting Melodies is not a therapy program although they are run by board certified music therapists. It sounds like there is a great need in your area for community programming and you have the opportunity to offer both music therapy groups and community music groups. Hopefully this helped clarify the difference between a music therapy group and Sprouting Melodies. If you feel like it is still not clear, please reach out to Meredith so she can tell you more about the program.

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