It is surreal to be writing a final blog post of my internship at Therabeat! As I am sitting down to find the words to type, it is so hard to express and think about all the ways I’ve grown as a music therapist and as a person in the past 6 months. What I know is that my heart is so full of gratitude, because all of that progress is due to the amazing parents, patients, and therapists that I’ve had the opportunity to learn from in my time here.
When I first began looking for a place to do the internship, I sort of had the idea that anywhere I went would be great—I’m a blank slate and ready to learn what anyone can teach me. However, after being here, I realize how special this place is, and am aware that this experience is very unique! While interning here, I have had the opportunity to work with patients aging from 8 months-89, patients of varying abilities, and patients in a variety of settings including in clinic, in the school, in the home, and at a recovery center. In each case, an extremely skilled therapist from Therabeat was there to teach and guide me in ways that made me successful and confident in every situation. The lessons and input from these therapists allowed me to grow in therapeutic techniques and abilities on a daily basis. These lessons range from recognizing and addressing problem behaviors all the way to blowing bubbles effectively (yes, this is an important skill!! J).
Not only did these therapists teach me how to become a more well-rounded, skilled therapists able incorporate a variety of techniques, but they also taught me so much more! These therapists create an atmosphere of integrity and honesty that promotes amazing relationships with the kiddos and parents. They share their passion and drive with everyone so naturally, and it livens up the clinic and allows meaningful therapy to really take place. These are lessons that these ladies probably didn’t realize they were teaching, but it has made an incredible impact on me as a therapist. They truly are the hands and feet of Christ in their work, and that has really allowed me to be a music therapist who loves what she does and who prays for strength and grace to provide the best therapy I can!
So it has truly been a wonderful experience of growing and learning these past 6 months, and it is crazy for it to come to an end. Every child I’ve had the pleasure to work with has brought me so much joy and taught me many valuable lessons!! I love these kids, and I love this team of therapists, so I am beyond happy to get Board-Certified and start working here come January! J J
I am so thankful to the Therabeat Team for giving me the tools and confidence to start my adventure as professional music therapist!! Yay!
Love,
Perry Wright
Oh what fun! That was my response after participating in the team Therabeat in-service on November 11th. It is an honor and a privilege to work with such talented, selfless, and creative therapists. The members of team Therabeat are these things and more. I believe nothing makes us happier than helping the children that we service. This was definitely displayed through the interventions that were presented during our intervention idea swap.
During this intervention swap the therapists and interns shared their developed interventions, manipulatives, and found resources that are used to target various goals and objectives that they are aiming to reach during sessions. Interventions and ideas shared targeted such areas as cognition, academic, and idea development; oral motor, fine motor, and gross motor skills; and communication and social skills. Some of these interventions were also fun and entertaining ideas developed around this season of the year and the holidays and famous icons such as Santa Claus and Thanksgiving Turkeys.
Check out a few of our holiday related ideas:
"Little Snowflake"
By: Laurie Berkner
(*To the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I'm a little snowflake, icy and round
I fall from the sky (and I don't make a sound)
When it's cold I'll stay all day and When it's warm I melt away-
"He'll be Coming Down the Chimney when he Comes"
He’ll be comin’ down the chimney when he comes, ho, ho, ho.
He’ll be comin’ down the chimney when he comes, ho, ho, ho.
He’ll be comin’ down the chimney, comin’ down the chimney,
he’ll be comin’ down the chimney when he comes, ho, ho, ho.
He’ll be flying with his reindeer when he comes. Where’s Rudolph?
We’ll leave him milk and cookies when he comes. Yum, yum!
Now, we better go to sleep so he will come. Snore, snore!
And we’ll all say Merry Christmas when he comes. Merry Christmas!
He’ll be sneezing down the chimney when he comes. Achoo!
He’ll be clapping down the chimney when he comes. Clap, clap!
He’ll be dancing around the chimney when he goes. Yahoo!
"Rudolph! Rudolph!"
Rudolph! Rudolph!
What will you do?
You can't guide Santa
If your nose is blue!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
You're such a silly fellow.
Who will know it's you
If your nose is yellow!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Your way cannot be seen
Through the wintry weather
If your nose is green!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Santa gave a wink.
But what will Santa think
If your nose is pink?
Rudolph! Rudolph!
It's time to fly at night
But you're quite a sight
Cause your nose is white!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
It's time to go to town
But Santa's wearing a frown
Cause your nose is brown!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
Santa has his sack.
But you're not ready
'Cause your nose is black!
Rudolph! Rudolph!
The children are in bed.
And now I know you're ready
'Cause your nose is red!
(*Have printed and laminated black and white Rudolph and different color dots for his nose.)
I cannot believe I’m at the end of my internship, but I can believe that this internship was the right one for me! It’s amazing to look back just 6 months ago and compare it to where I am now. To think about all I have learned over this time is astounding. I have absolutely grown as a music therapist under the guidance of these amazing music therapists at Therabeat and I am so grateful I was able to do my internship here. The type of training that is offered is invaluable. Not only did I have the opportunity to do music therapy with a variety of children from 1.5 years -18 years, but I was also able to work with adults at a rehabilitation center as well as with geriatric patients. On top of all that, I got to observe a variety of therapies at In Harmony including speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This extensive range of experiences has allowed me to gain so many valuable tools to put in my music therapy toolbox, as Jen would say!
I feel prepared to be a real life music therapist and continue this journey, but how bittersweet it is to finish this internship. These amazing kids have truly taught me so much – not just about how to be a music therapist and what works and what doesn’t, but also what it really means to be a music therapist. They have taught me about life. Helping these kids achieve their goals while making music with them was just a blessing and I was honored to get to work with them and help them grow! But man, with as much preparation as this internship offers, saying goodbye to these wonderful kiddos was something I was not prepared for. I will miss every one of my kids more than I can put into words. All of them are so unique and so individual and kept me on my toes for sure, but I really thank each one of them for teaching me and helping me grow too! No matter where I go next, I will always remember my first music therapy clients fondly.
And Jen, Chelsea, Alison, Haylee, and Anna Katheryn, thank you to all of you for helping me improve my skills and making me feel like a part of the team! I had so much fun getting to know you all through this experience and I will miss you all too! Ugh goodbyes are hard, but it’s just because of how happy I am to have gotten to know the team and the clients here. I will be back to visit for sure, but until then, wishing everyone the best New Year and Merry Christmas!!
Love,
Stephanie Schecter
After almost three months of interning at Therabeat, it was time for the Summer Recital. Since I started in June, so many of the kiddos were already working toward August 23rd—I was amazed at how many hours of practice these kids were putting in to achieve their goal of getting up in front of a ton of people to perform their own piece of music.
The day of the Recital was such a culmination of joy to watch not only the kids I had been working with, but to also enjoy some awesome performances from kids I had never seen before. Whether watching from the audience, or up on stage with a little performer, I couldn’t have been prouder of all the awesome kids who shared their light and brought joy to everyone in the audience. Every performer brought something great to the table—there was a perfect mixture of sweet and fun moments that made almost everyone a little misty, because of how touching all the performances were!!
When I think about why the day was so special, I think it is a time for everyone to step back and see Music Therapy at work in a really tangible and enjoyable way. Music is a powerful means of communication, and every child was able to communicate a part of themselves to the audience through sharing their gift of music. Furthermore, from someone who has definitely been super nervous to get up and sing in front of people—I was so impressed and touched by the way confidence was built in the kids by even walking up in front of everyone to perform. What a cool experience to see kids work so hard for months to finally reach their goal!!
The whole experience was an opportunity for me to think about how much of a blessing it is to get to work with and know these awesome kids! After the recital, many parents were thanking the Therabeat team for helping their kids—as much as I appreciate that, I couldn’t help but think about how thankful I am to get the chance to know these kids and learn from them everyday. That night I went to bed with such a full heart, and some fresh musical inspiration from all the amazing performers—which is such a gift to have halfway through a challenging internship. I am thankful that the whole day allowed me to keep my focus on what really matters: always striving to learn more about Music Therapy, and becoming a more well-rounded therapist, so these kids can have to best opportunity to succeed and share their gifts with everyone!
- Intern Perry Wright