Music Therapy Maven » Kimberly Personal

Taking Time to Think

Kimberly — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:17:27 +0000

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I think that one of the biggest perks of being a PhD student is that I am being forced to think.

When is there time, otherwise? Between running a household, raising kids, having a business, seeing clients, documentation, learning new songs, going to the grocery store, checking social media streams, buying birthday gifts,….WHEW! Our thinking has moved into the territory of survival mode. We are thinking about what need to be done this day and in this moment so that we can get to the next day and the next moment.

It seems rare that we have the opportunity to sit and think. To reflect, to process, to let ideas swim and percolate.

The irony is that it’s not the “doing and doing more” times that move things forward, it’s these thinking and processing times. It’s giving yourself the time and the space that really lets your creative juices flow.

This is where I feel a large part of my academic work is right now. Just processing, thinking about, and integrating information from theory, practice, and experience. I have a germ of an idea that I began to develop in my last year in Colorado. Right now, this semester, I have the opportunity to further develop this idea and test it.

I am sure I will be writing more about this process as I continue on this journey. In the meantime, I am grateful for this opportunity to think.

What about you? When do you allow yourself the time and space to think? How does it help?

Why Therapists Need to Shut Up

2012 Social Media Advocacy Project in Numbers

Kimberly — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:36:31 +0000

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It’s early February and we are wrapping up what I consider to be a very successful Social Media Advocacy project!

Last December, I sent a tickler email out to over 3 dozen music therapy bloggers and podcasters, inviting them to participate in this project. Here’s what we ended up with:

Forty participating blogs/podcasts published 50 text articles, 5 podcast episodes, and 3 advocacy videos, for a grand total of…

58 publications!

What’s Your Advocacy Personality?

In addition, do you remember the Advocacy Personality quiz we posted as part of this project? Twenty-one people reported taking the quiz. Here’s the breakdown of where this sample size stands on advocacy:

6 were Loud and Proud

5 were Not Afraid to Take the Lead

10 were Behind-the-Scene Sleuths

No one (0) held a Supporting Role

Hmmm…seems to me that music therapists may tend to be more active than not, don’t you think?

Thank You to the Participating Bloggers and Podcasters

Finally, I want to publicly thank all of the bloggers and podcasters who contributed in this month’s Social Media Advocacy project. It’s a success once again because of YOU! Thank you for your passion and for sharing your wisdom.

I have been keeping track of your individual articles on this page, and invite you to check out what these amazing people have said

THANK YOU:

Megumi Azekawa: Musically Thinking (musicallythinking.com)
Meryl Brown: Developing Melodies (developingmelodies.com)
John Carpente: Music and Child Development Blog (drjohnmtbc.wordpress.com)
Bernice Chu: All Things Healing (allthingshealing.com)
CJ Diachenko: The Musical Autist (themusicalautist.org)
Michelle Erfurt: Music Therapy Tween (musictherapytween.com) and Music Therapy Round Table podcast (musictherapyroundtable.com)
Jim Ernst: Do It In Public (jimernstblog.com)
Kat Fulton: Rhythm For Good (rhythmforgood.com)
Bonnie Hayhurst: The Groovy Garfoose (groovygarfoose.com)
JoAnn Jordan: Music Sparks (music2spark.com)
Kalani: (kalanimusic.com)
Amy Kalas: Wholesome Harmonies Music Therapy (whmusictherapy.com)
Andrew Knight: Music Therapy Research Blog Podcast (musictherapyresearchblog.com)
Debi Kret-Melton: Mind-Full Music Therapy Services (mindfullmusic.com)
Blythe LaGasse: Music Therapy Research Blog Podcast (musictherapyresearchblog.com)
Kate Legge: Music Matters (musicmatterstherapy.blogspot.com)
Janice Lindstrom: The Music Therapy Show with Janice Lindstrom (themusictherapyshow.blogspot.com)
Andrew Littlefield: MTI in the ATL (mtiintheatl.blogspot.com)
Matt Logan: Music Therapy Source (musictherapysource.com)
Ashley Lundquist: Music Therapy Equals Love (musictherapyequalslove.blogspot.com)
Bill Matney (billmatney.com)
Rebecca McClary: All Things Healing (allthingshealing.com)
Natalie Mullis: Key Changes Music Therapy (keychangesmusictherapy.com)
Rachelle Norman: Soundscape Music Therapy (soundscapemusictherapy.com)
Judith Pinkerton: Music 4 Life podcast (music4life.us) and judithpinkerton.com
Dean Quick: The Music From Within (themusicfromwithin.wordpress.com)
Roia Rafieyan: The Mindful Music Therapist (mindfulmusictherapist.blogspot.com)
Rachel Rambach: Listen and Learn Music (listenlearnmusic.com) and Music Therapy Round Table podcast (musictherapyroundtable.com)
Megan Resig: Mundana Music Therapy (mundanamusictherapy.com)
Wade Richards: Time for Music (timeformusic.org)
Stephanie Scheffel: The Rhythmic Mind (therhythmicmind.wordpress.com)
Sara Sendlbeck: Eclectic Guitar (theeclecticguitar.com)
Rachel See Smith: Music Therapy Services of Austin (musictherapyservices.net)
Jennifer Sokira: Connecticut Music Therapy Services (ctmusictherapy.com)
Michelle Strutzel: Beyond the Music MT (beyondthemusicmt.blogspot.com)
Daniel Tague: Music Makes Sense (musicmakessense.blogspot.com)
Natasha Thomas: Music Moves (musicmoves.areavoices.com)
Kristin Veveto: KNV Music Therapy (knvmusictherapy.com)
Annie Walljasper: Prelude Music Therapy (preludemt.blogspot.com)
Melinda Wilson: All Things Healing (allthingshealing.com)

Top Music Therapy Trends of 2012: A Wishlist

Kimberly — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:41:37 +0000

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The new year brings it’s share of articles and posts that start with phrases like “the best of…”, “top ____ stories of…”, and “top _____ trends to watch for…”

This year, I’ve decided to create my own list: top music therapy trends of 2012. This list is mostly a “wishlist” of what I would like to see as top trends. And it fits in nicely with our social media advocacy month, don’t you think? I mean, isn’t that part of what advocacy’s all about? As I see it, one of the goals of advocacy is to develop public awareness and recognition of our field. So much so that, perhaps, that it warrants our very own “top trends” list one day. Wouldn’t that be nice?

With that in mind, here is my “loosely-based-in-fact-but-mostly-a-wishlist” list of top music therapy trends to watch for in 2012:

More referrals from doctors

We will see a significant increase in the number of doctors who are referring their patients for music therapy assessments as they become more aware of music therapy and the science supporting why it works. Whether to help reduce stress for cardiac patients, provide mental health support for psychiatric patients, enhance exercise protocols for rehab patients, or provide emotional support and reduce pain in hospitalized patients, people are more aware of the benefits music therapy can offer and are asking for music therapy treatment.

School districts have easy access to music therapy

Gone are the days when parents had to fight to get music therapy added to their child’s IEP. Music therapy referrals and assessments are now common occurrences for children enrolled in special education programs. Parents, teachers, and aides are aware of the common signs and behaviors to look for that indicate a child might benefit from music therapy. Additionally, school districts across the country have easy access to a board-certified music therapist, whether contracted or employed.

Music therapists as characters in movies, TV shows, and novels

It all started rather recently with characters in novels by Jodi Picoult and Allison Pearson and in movies like The Music Never Stopped. Characters who work as music therapists are showing up more frequently in storylines that involve music, mental health and psychology, or the medical sciences. These movies, TV shows, and novels are helping to bring the music therapy profession into the public consciousness.

Customized music for workout programs

Exercise and workout programs are becoming more important and more popular for the baby boomer generation. Realizing the tremendous impact rhythm can have on our motor movements, music therapists are customizing music for workout programs. People who use these workout programs report that the music helps them workout more efficiently and for longer periods of time.

Arts and music education in all the schools

Realizing the tremendous benefit of an arts-based education on child development, schools are allocating more resources and support towards their art, music, dance, and theater departments. Gone are the days when schools automatically cut these programs. Instead, they are working to support and nurture their arts and music education programs.

People are seeking music therapy consultations

Music therapy–and any kind of therapy, for that matter–can be very expensive. As such, more and more music therapists are beginning to offer consultation services. Instead of working with a client individually every week, these music therapists are developing customized home-based programs that they track and tweak as needed.

The emergence of e-music therapy

Although the benefit and value of “doing therapy” through a video conferencing service like Skype is still being debated, music therapists are beginning to give it a test run. In particular, look for video conference to be used more often in conjunction with consultation services and as a way to access clients in remote areas (e.g. for disaster relief).

All 50 states formally recognize music therapy

For the very first time–and as a result of the collaboration between the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), and music therapists across the country–all 50 states formally recognize the music therapy profession. Some states have created a music therapy license and other states have created music therapy registries. Regardless, because of these efforts, we should start seeing it become easier for every US citizen to access music therapy services should they want to.

So, if you were to add anything to this “top trends” wishlist, what would it be?

P.S. Don’t forget! As part of social media advocacy month, take this fun little quiz to see what your advocacy personality is. Let us know in the comments section what type of advocate you are!

Best of 2011: The Top 10 Maven Posts

Kimberly — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:39 +0000

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As we wrap up 2011, thought I would jump on the “best of ” bandwagon and contribute a list of the top Maven posts from this past year. Your views did the voting…and here’s what you liked:

10. It’s Raining Awesome YouTube Videos! (March 2011)

For whatever reason, last spring there was a plethora of amazing videos related in some way to music therapy. I shared several of them with you in this article.

9. 4 Reasons Why This Song is NOT Good for Walking (May 2011)

With all the media exposure music therapy received as a result of Rep. Gifford’s rehab treatment, the song that was given as an example to facilitate gait training (e.g. walking) really bugged me…and in this post I explain why.

8. It’s Brain Awareness Week! (March 2011)

I was incredibly humbled and proud that my friends over at Posit Science invited me to participate in a live Facebook Q&A on music and the brain.

7. 73 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Therapist (March 2011)

This was one of those kernel-of-an-idea thoughts that just exploded. The wisdom and insight shared by music therapists via Twitter and Facebook completely astounded me and took me off guard…yet led to perhaps one of the best blog posts of the year!

6. The Best Nail Polish Ever (May 2011)

Yeah…that one surprised me, too

5. 13 Inspiring Articles from my Fellow Music Therapy Bloggers (May 2011)

When I wrote this, I remember being so awed and amazed by all the wonderful articles my fellow music therapy bloggers were contributing that I wanted to share a bunch with you.

4. What is Music Therapy State Recognition? (January 2011)

State recognition is a hot topic in our field these day…and made the more so by the passing to music therapy licensure legislation in North Dakota and Nevada last spring.

3. Book Review: Sing You Home (March 2011)

One of the several national-exposure-for-music-therapy events that made 2011 such a banner year for us as a profession.

2. Movie Review: The Music Never Stopped (March 2011)

What can I say? 2011 was a great year to be a music therapist!

1. What is a typical music therapy session like? (February 2011)

This, the top post from 2011, prompted one of the most insightful discussions in the comments section than I had seen in awhile.

Thank you for your continued readership and support. I wish you a safe and celebratory New Year. I’ll catch you again in 2012!

Happy Holidays from the Music Therapy Maven!

Kimberly — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:54 +0000

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Wishing you a joyous and happy holiday with your loved ones…from my family to yours.

The 2011 Moore Holiday Letter

Twas the week before Christmas and as you can tell / my voice doesn’t sound right, can’t sing very well.
So in lieu of our annual holiday song / this poem must suffice to sum up our year-long.

Lorian’s sweet, more quietly happy / She loves pretty dresses, a princess wants to be
She started dance classes and performed late last spring / She’s all full of sweetness as she dances and sings.

Jameson’s happy, a spirited lad / He’s visually creative, just like his dad
This year he went skiing, started taking piano / He had two recitals, and’s always on the go.

The biggest change this year is all due to me / as this fall I started work on my PhD
I keep up my blogging and work state policy / it’s quite a bit to juggle, but still I’m happy.

Steven, he works as a UCM chair / of Music. It’s busy, there’s much to do there.
Old building remodels, new people to hire / Plus he published a book! My! A lot has transpired.

Thus 2011 is now summed up nicely / We’re happy and healthy, wish you that precisely
As we wrap up this letter, we want you to hear / Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good year.

Inspired by the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Holiday PhD Gratitude – Top 5 Things I’m Grateful For

Kimberly — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:28:18 +0000

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Today I finish my first semester of my PhD!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know that I can adequately express in words how excited I am to have finished this first chapter in my doctorale career. I recognize that I still have a looooong way to go…but I also think it’s important to celebrate the baby steps along the way, don’t you?

Today marks one of those baby steps.

I also recognize that I did not do it alone. As it’s the holiday season and a time to reflect on our blessings, it seems appropriate for me to reflect on those things I am grateful for.

With that in mind, here is a list of the top 5 things I’m grateful for as I wrap-up this first semester of PhD work:

1) My family…

…for making many small (and sometimes big) sacrifices so that I can fulfill this dream.

2) My KC parents…

…for housing me every week, feeding me, and doing all the dishes.

3) My UMKC professors and fellow students…

…for your support and for pushing me to learn and grow.

4) My Apple MacBook, iPad, and iPhone…

…for making learning new and fun.

5) The cashier at the Einstein Brothers Bagel shop…

…for letting me pay for my $1.09 coffee refill without standing in line.

Your turn!

I bet I’m not the only one who is wrapping up an accomplishment right now! What is your accomplishment…and what does your “gratitude accomplishment list” look like?

I Am Not Superwoman

Kimberly — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:12:32 +0000

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One of the most common questions I get is “Kimberly…how do you juggle it all?”

There’s a certain part of me that puffs with pride when I hear this. It’s true–I’m a working mother of two, a wife, and a career woman who just decided to go back to school full-time for a PhD. There’s a lot to balance and a lot to juggle.

But if I were to be brutally honest? If I were to share with you the absolute ugly truth?

I don’t juggle it all. I am not superwoman.

I can share the ugly truth with you now as I sit here, 9:51 pm, typing away at this blog post, snifling from my recently-acquired cold, and drinking a glass of sauvignon blanc (not great for the cold…perfect for the spirit).

The ugly truth is that I don’t juggle it all. But I’m learning and have 5 ideas and tips to share with you that I will help.

It’s a family affair. When I get hooded and am officially Dr. Sena Moore, it won’t be just for me, but it will be for my entire family. Even though they aren’t the ones taking the classes and doing the research, they are the ones who are working around my late night classes and having to work on weekends. They are making sacrifices so that I can work towards my goal. Your career choices aren’t personal prerogatives–they are family affairs.
Sometimes “good enough” is okay. There are hundreds of little decisions that go into creating a day and sometimes you have to let go to make it all happen. You have to not worry about doing the dishes that night and not try to edit that paper one more time. You have to be okay with not doing all the cool business ventures your friends doing or with having a slightly messy house. It’s easier said than done…but you have to let go of “perfect.”
It’s true! Raising children does takes a village. Sometimes your village includes a daycare, sometimes it includes grandparents, and sometimes it includes neighborhood friends. No matter what your village looks like, there is absolutely no way you can do it alone. Even today, in preparing for my son’s first piano recital, I asked one of the grandparents to bring the cookies every family contributes for the reception because I don’t have the time. It takes a village.
You need breaks. You need breaks not only to allow time for yourself to rest and rejuvenate, but also to reconnect with your loved ones. There is always work to do and the work will always be there, but it sometimes needs to go away–even if just for an hour or two–so that you can refocus YOU and your energy on yourself or your loved ones.
You need to say no. This is by far the hardest for me to do. I like to say yes, not necessarily because I’m a people-pleaser, but because I enjoy challenges and I take pride in being asked. But part of the “juggle” is to know your limits and to know when to say “no.” But, boy!, is that hard…

If you have any other thoughts, insights, or suggestions about the juggle of life, please let us know by leaving a comment in the field below.

No related posts.

#AMTA11: The Top 17 Recap

Kimberly — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:48:23 +0000

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Still recovering…

It’s been a little over 24 hours since I touched down in Kansas City. I spent the last half of last week attending the 2011 American Music Therapy Association conference in Atlanta GA.

WHAT A WEEK!

Top 17 AMTA11 Moments

It seems nearly impossible to share just a handful of highlights, so I opt instead to list, as briefly as possible, my top 17 AMTA11 conference moments (in no particular order):

Having over 50 people attend the tweetup (and telling the bartender that I thought that–I don’t know–there may be 10 to 15 people coming?)
Seeing musician Ben Folds attend part of the conference to learn more about music therapy and share his thoughts with us…which was made all the more sweet because he was there solely due to connections made on Twitter
Attending the 2nd annual State Task Force reception and having the opportunity to honor and recognize task force members from across the country
Hearing that the profession is finally seriously considering moving to a masters-level field
Watching a room full over hundreds of music therapists learn and dance to Taiko drumming with drummer Iris Shiraishi
Listening to Dr. Ken Bruscia talk about the need for an integrated approach to therapy and it’s implications for not only clinical work, but also leadership in the field and our education and clinical training
Meeting and putting a face to people I’ve met through email, phone, and social media
Having the opportunity to meet Sen. Mo Denis (NV) and Sen. Lois Delmore (ND), who are both passionate champions for music therapy and were instrumental in passing the first 2 music therapy licensure bills
Watching the amazing Twitter feed from conference attendees using the #AMTA11 hashtag
Attending, although too briefly, a reception hosted by the Georgia State Task Force and getting and opportunity to meet local legislators, including Sen. John Albers, and other local music therapy supporters
Facilitating a panel of AMAZING music therapy bloggers and podcasters: Bill Matney, Sarah Sendlbeck, Matt Logan, Kat Fulton, Meryl Brown, Rachel Rambach, Michelle Erfurt, Michelle Strutzel, and Roia Rafieyan
Getting to reconnect with friends from Fort Collins/CSU and the University of Iowa, to see friends and colleagues from CBMT and AMTA, and to socialize in a non-classroom-sort-of-way with fellow UMKC students
Recording a special episode of the Music Therapy Round Table podcast with guests Dr. Natalie Wlodarczyk, Julie Guy, Natalie Mullis, Meryl Brown, and Ginny Darnell
Having multiple opportunities to talk about advocacy and the many ways and forms in which it can happen
Presenting once again with dear friends Rachel Rambach and Michelle Erfurt
Being in the AMTA Business meeting when two major national awards were given to former professors and mentors of mine: Dr. Kate Gfeller (Research Award) and Dr. Mary Adamek (Award of Merit). It was a good weekend for Iowa!
Getting the chance to hear from members of 6 different state task forces about their legislative journeys

It seriously feels like I’ve lived two weeks in 4 days and I’m still processing all the events and information from this past weekend. So there may be future blog posts inspired by this incredible weekend…

Goodies for You

In the meantime, I invite you to download my handout from the “How to Build an Online Presence” presentation with Rachel and Michelle:
Click here to download a handout (pdf) from this presentation

Finally…

Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

CONFERENCE!!!

Kimberly — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:59:02 +0000

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Can you tell from my title that I’m excited for our national music therapy conference this week?

I am super-fortunate (and way excited) to be preparing again for our annual music therapy conference. As part of these preparations, I’ve got an awesome guest post lined up that will be timely for those interviewing for internships and jobs this week. So be on the lookout for Wednesday’s post…

From the looks of the official conference program, there are some amazing presentations and opportunities happening at conference. I’ve been going to conferences for over 10 years now (*gulp*) and I genuinely think the quantity and quality of what AMTA offers has gotten better each year.

Are you going to Atlanta? If you’re interested, here’s where you’ll find me this week. I hope you stop me and say hi:

Friday morning, 7:30-9:00 am: Creating an Effective Online Presence: We Did It. You Can, Too! with good friends and fellow Music Therapy Round Table podcast co-hosts Rachel Rambach and Michelle Erfurt
Friday afternoon, 2:00-3:30 pm: How Social Media Creates New Music Therapy Advocates where I will be facilitating a panel with some amazing music therapy bloggers, including Kat Fulton, Bill Matney, Rachel Rambach, Michelle Erfurt, Michelle Strutzel, Sarah Sendlebeck, Matt Logan, Roia Rafieyan, and Meryl Brown
Friday evening, 6:00 pm: Tweetup at the hotel’s Mai Tai bar
Saturday afternoon, 1:30-3:30 pm: ENGAGE in Advocacy: 6 Legislative Journeys with Judy Simpson (AMTA’s Director of Government Relations), Dena Register (CBMT’s Regulatory Affairs Advisor), and some awesome music therapists from around the country who are going to share their stories about the state recognition work going on in their state

In addition, I’ll be at the Opening Session, the Exhibit Hall Extravaganza, and the Sears lecture (I can’t wait to her Dr. Ken Bruscia speak!).

As for the rest of the conference? Be sure to stop by the Exhibit Hall, where you’ll probably find me hanging out at the Music Therapy Pro booth, the CBMT booth, or the UMKC booth. (I invite you to for sure stop by the Music Therapy Pro booth–we’ll be recording a special podcast episode on Saturday (time TBA) and will be looking for people to interview!)

Not going to conference? Don’t worry! You can catch all the action by following the #AMTA11 hashtag on Twitter. It’s already quite an active stream!

Finally, I’ll be posting my handout from the Creating and Effective Online Presence talk right here on this blog later this week. So stay tuned…

Why “Holidays” Are Important (And It’s Not What You Think)

Kimberly — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:00:40 +0000

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As this is being posted, I’m getting ready to head out-of-town for my sister’s wedding. As with most travel events, it’s highly stressful getting ready to leave. You spend hours and several late nights trying to get ahead on work, laundry, dishes, and cleaning, so that you can actually let go and relax for a couple days.

This upcoming trip reminds me of a scene from the movie Bridget Jones’s Diary. Have you seen it? At one point in the movie, two of the main characters are going away on a little weekend trip, which Bridget Jones and her friends call going “on holiday.” Isn’t that fun? This weekend, I’m going on my own little mini-break holiday.

Although I talk about it lightly, in truth I think it’s vitally important to have these breaks from our routine, even if they are short. Going away and breaking from your normal routine is an important component of self-care. And let’s face it…

Taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of our clients.

It’s not the first time we’ve talked about self-care on the blog. So I’ve dug through the Maven archives and found some oldies-but-goodies on this very topic. Happy reading!

What are your favorite “mini-break holiday” trips?