Not Your Average Music Therapist

Those "other" music therapists

You know the ones… those music therapists who get under your skin. They bug you, annoy you, and you never want to be like them. But there’s a sneaking suspicion that you are like them, in little ways, maybe. So let’s talk about what things we can do to care for our own souls, so we can grow into the healthiest, most authentic and loving people we can be.

 

Referenced in the show:

psychologytoday.com

betterhelp.com

therapyforblackgirls.com

blackfemaletherapists.com

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

Balance with Brandy

I texted my friend, Brandy, to see if she’d record a spontaneous conversation with me, and here it is! I knew this one would be full of wisdom, and it sure is. Enjoy our chat around balance, American culture, peace and contentment, and beautiful chaos.

 

Follow her on Instagram: @thebrandyjenkins

Check out her website: http://brandyjenkins.com

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

Take a moment (Bonus episode!)

17 is my favorite number, so why not, on this 17th episode, share a little bonus in between our weekly episodes. So often we’re in a rush and onto the next things. But how often do we spend time reflecting? Take a minute right now and notice the beautiful small moments that happen, in and out of your music therapy sessions.

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

Don't lose yourself in music therapy

Imposter syndrome, comparisonitis, jealousy. These are big things that we feel and have to work through, but what I think it really comes down to is identity. Let’s not lose ourselves in the title and profession of “music therapist.”

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

The Story Continues with Hayley Francis Cann

If you don’t already know Hayley, I am so excited for you to get to know her here. She is a delight! Hayley shares with us the steps she took to get into music therapy, her first job, and a few inspiring creative projects. And the best part, she’s not done yet. Hayley talks about the feelings around burnout, imposter syndrome, and how she creatively finds her way through. I cannot wait to see what new thing Hayley does in her life and career as a music therapist. Enjoy the conversation!

 

Follow her on instagram: @mtahayley

Listen to her joint podcast: Able Voice Podcast

Peruse her website: https://mtahayley.com

And while you’re at it, check out her Anti-Oppressive Practices Resource.

What if there's no music therapy job here?

This episode is full of steps that you can take if there is no music therapy job near you. We are creative professionals, and we can creatively do something about that! Let’s walk together through some options and ideas for starting something new in your area. If you need an easy-to-read version of this episode, find one on my blog: kimbest.com

One of my favorite resources of all time is the Therapy Business Blueprint by Kimberly Sena Moore. It’s only $17 and will serve you for many years. Plus, you get to support two music therapists when buying (the author and Music Therapy E-Books)!

Taking a Turn with Kaillie Wark

I love hearing guests talk about their paths in (and out of) the music therapy field. Kaillie shares with us what it felt like to be a music therapist and the process she went through to explore speech-language pathology. She talks about her relationship with music, how much she loves working as an SLP, and how she still uses music when appropriate for her clients’ developmental speech goals.

 

If you’re interested in speech-language pathology, find more info at www.asha.org

If you want to connect with Kaillie, email hello@kimbest.com and we’ll get you connected!

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

A New View

I just moved and have been taking in how different this new place is. The good, the bad, and everything in between… and the little things that I’m falling in love with. Sometimes it takes a change, a transition, to give us that fresh perspective we need to motivate our work and keep on going. We may need another person’s eyes to help us see the little things we’re missing. Having a new view can give you just the shift you need to enliven your work or life.

 

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

The Pressure of "More"

This may be a rant, but I think it’s a conversation worth having, even just for my own soul. I want to be happy where I am, with what I’m doing, right here and now without feeling the need to be more or do more. I want to stop chasing the idea that I always need to be “better” as a music therapist. It’s exhausting and makes me feel devalued where I am. So, I’m trying to tear down the idea that we will magically attain this idea of “better” and maybe what we have right now is all we need to be a great music therapist.

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.

From Student to Professional

I remember feeling so lost as a new professional. I had no idea what to do, where to go, and what my options were in respect to getting a job. Employee, self-employed, hourly employee, contractor, sub-contractor. What's the difference? I break this all down to the best of my ability in this episode! If you have more to add to this conversation, leave a message under the post on this episode on Instagram @musictherapistpod.

 

Download the exclusive PDF of career options for music therapists: What Happens After College

 

Flowchart program mentioned in the episode: Lucidchart.com

 

Music, production, and editing by Greg Best.