New Way of Thinking

My supervisor has helped me look at music therapy in a whole new way. When I go into a room I have to explain how what I did is different than a volunteer. Everything I do in a session must have a purpose. So the answer to patients or staff in the hall who ask us, "Oh, do you just play music for patients?" Is of course no. Or it can be bothersome when some people ask us if we are volunteers. We have to explain to inquirers that no, we don't just play music. When we have the time we go in depth of what we do and how it is different than a volunteer. It is tough when I get asked "Do you play music to patients?" I say, "Yes" because technically I do but it's much more than that.

At the hospital we have a lot of nursing students learning from the staff and doing case studies with the patients. It can be overwhelming with the amount of people at the nursing station. The other day I was in a room during a session and they asked that same question. I took the time to educate them about music therapy and the importance of it. It was refreshing that I could explain this concept to them because I remember one day when it wasn't so easy.

One exercise my supervisor had me do is write out two definitions for music therapy. One is written for staff using their language. Another is for patients/family with understandable terms. It's good to plan what to say beforehand so you sound confident and articulate in what you do.