by Alisabeth Hopper | Dec 9, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello Everybody,
This last week at MTC was full of emotions whether that be anxiety, sadness, or pure joy. When last week began I was up to my neck in things to do, what with a midterm, multiple assignments, session planning, documentation, recording, and then of course trying to squeeze in time to see my family and enjoy a bit of the holiday season. I was beginning to feel short of breath because of the sheer amount of things to do.
Then on top everything else I had recently seen a patient I have cared for over quite some time become very ill. They were doing well and I think it was at the point that they said the magic word “discharge” that I felt relief and sadness roll over me. I was of course relieved that the patient was going home, but at the same time I had not yet faced the fact that we could have lost that patient. It was at that moment that I realized how bad it could have been. In my documentation later that night I wrote this:
I have recently realized that there is a way for most practicing music therapists to keep certain parts of their lives and emotions separate from their career, but that is next to impossible in the hospital setting. When you’re sitting at the bedside of a child in great pain, facing a new diagnosis that will change their life, or even a terminal diagnosis you have to be able to be open to be able to convey a sense of honesty, care, and sympathy as they move through their hospitalization. But I think that when we open ourselves up at that deep level we accept that we carry them with us. I feel that way about this one particular patient. I carry them with me.
Needless to say I had a lot going on, but I never for one moment felt alone. I am blessed to have a wonderful support system in my personal life, but also supervisors who support me in my endeavors through this dense learning process called internship. My support system is so important to me. I can honestly say that after such a crazy week I had three times the laughter that I had to tears or fear. I am so thankful to have them through this amazing experience.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Dec 1, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello there! I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving!
My Thanksgiving was filled to the brim with family time, pie, and turkey… so much turkey! Besides the overwhelming amount of food I also got to spend the entire week answering the ever-present question… “so what exactly is music therapy?” Everyone from my in-laws, to my great aunt and even my grandmother were asking me this recurring question.
As music therapists, students, and interns I think we eventually figure out how to answer that question based upon who were speaking to whether that’s straight to the point for our older relatives who are hard of hearing, to explaining the clinically based efficacy of music therapy to the doctor of the family, who honestly wants to know.
This week it became clearer to me how important advocacy is as a music therapist everywhere you go because we are a small profession. After I have explained what I do simply as “working to achieve non-musical goals with and through music” again and again and again over the years, my family has begun to remember it and repeat it when asked themselves.
Even now, after only five years much of my family have already become advocates for music therapy which makes me incredibly proud. That goes to show family is not only within your reach to advocate to, but when its all said and done, are usually the ones in your corner.
Have a great week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 25, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello Again!
This week I had the amazing and nerve-wrecking opportunity to go out on my own and do a classroom outreach presentation at a local preschool. I went to six classes throughout the course of the day, presenting multiple instruments and providing the opportunity to participate in a musical experience.
When Rachel and Katey introduced the idea to me, I was nervous but I knew that I could do it and that it would be a great experience so I hesitantly agreed. I had plenty of time to prep my music and run it by both supervisors before heading out on my first event completely solo. When I sat in front of the first classroom I was very nervous but my nerves quickly subsided as my focus set in and before I knew it, four hours had passed and the event was over.
I enjoyed the event, but what was most amazing was the confidence I felt going into my regularly scheduled sessions and groups afterward. Doing a preschool presentation completely solo was the most affirming experience I have had thus far. In the following days I found myself making more decisions and giving more input in sessions than I usually would. For instance:
We began our Listen & Learn for Little Ones classes again this week and with it being the first class back we would usually expect little participation and much hesitance on the part of the “little ones”, but not this week! Everyone was very excited, so excited in fact that when we began playing the ukulele song for a cool down almost everyone surrounded Katey reaching for the ukulele wanting so desperately to play. Before Tuesday I would have continued to allow my supervisor to lead without question, but with my new found confidence I decided to take the initiative to go get a second ukulele to assist her. This decision proved very helpful after all and now I am very glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
So, my words of wisdom for other interns out there are: if you’re asked to do something new and it scares you — do it anyway! Seek guidance when appropriate but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, because you never know when you will have a turning point.
Be brave, my fellow interns, and have a wonderful week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 17, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello again!
This week I wanted to share something special about myself; I am the ultimate planner. When I was growing up my mother had a rule: I was not allowed to plan my May birthday party until less than six months prior, because otherwise I would have planned five parties, two sleepovers, and a trip to the roller rink by the end of June.
Planning has always been a way for me to find excitement and positivity in any given situation and it is definitely something that I have carried into adulthood. Being a planner can be very helpful at times, but if I am being honest it can also be quite a hinderance.
Since I began my internship it has become very clear to me how little I know about my future. I could plan it fifty times over and never come to a clean-cut conclusion about where to go from here. As scary as it can be to trudge through the unknowns I try to remind myself that I am not the only intern in the world who is nervous about their future. I am one of many interns who is worried about finances, having a job after completing internship, and in general being a professional.
I am not alone here. I have my supervisors guiding me, past teachers cheering me on, and a supportive family. At the end of the day, I have to remind myself to step away from the calendar and to-do lists and find joy in this once in a lifetime experience I have here at internship, because it won’t last forever.
So, if you’re an intern and you are also feeling the weight of the rest of your life weighing on your shoulders, remember this: giving your all is enough, you are not alone, and this too shall pass so enjoy it while it lasts.
Wishing you all the best.
– AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 8, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello again, thank you again for following along with my internship journey!
This week in my supervision I was asked the motherload of questions: where do you want to be after internship? She had asked me this before, but it still took the breath from my lungs and for a minute I felt completely overwhelmed. I took a deep breath and began drawing out my plan to begin my own private practice in music therapy. As every word was falling from my mouth I felt every emotion on the spectrum from enthralled to nervous to how on earth am I going to make this work? With every answered question I had three more to ask and suddenly I was beginning to see how big this beast of business ownership can be.
As I moved into this weekend I was feeling the weight of my many thoughts, questions, concerns… until I remembered why I wanted to be a music therapist in the first place.
I grew up in a small town at least thirty minutes from any major grocery stores or eateries that didn’t involve pizza, Mexican food, or some true blue down home cookin’ and I loved it. But as I grew a bit older and began to notice the limited resources there for people in need I felt a call to action come over me. That’s where my drive to help others began. This combined with my love of music and by age 15 I knew with everything I had that I was going to be a music therapist.
Remembering this, I knew that reaching out to a community new to music therapy may not be an easy or quickly achieved endeavor but it’s what i want to do, I want to make a difference.
Thanks for reading!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 3, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello, and welcome back!
This week my assignment was to shadow a professional in something other than music therapy. Immediately I knew I wanted to shadow a child life specialist. I chose that profession specifically because I knew so little about it, and I was soon about to get a full experience.
During my shadowing experience, I watched this child life specialist walk children through procedures, provide comfort and distraction throughout the procedure, and implement a regular reward system afterwards which usually is an item that has been donated like a stuffed animal or a toy. The things these children endure are difficult and painful for most adults, so extra care should be in place to allow these children to excel throughout hospitalization and beyond.
The child life specialist mentioned one word particularly often, and that was normalization. Normalization for these children is essential and is addressed in many different facets through the eyes of a child life specialist and also as a music therapist. As music therapists we provide opportunities for expression, coping with hospitalization, pain management, and more.
What was so impactful for me this week was realizing how intertwined child life and music therapy are as professions. When we as music therapists can connect with other professions, collaborate, and work together as a team, we only build a stronger treatment for our clients and patients in turn.
Thanks for reading!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 27, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello and welcome back to the intern’s corner!
These last two weeks were full of affirming moments. The type of moments that make you say “this is what I’m meant to be doing!” Whether it was watching a child learning how to conduct and waving their hands in tremendous gesture in our exploratory music class, or when a client who is not usually very expressive shows concern for my well being. Or even this story, which is my favorite of all:
We have been working on a cross-generational duet with a grandmother and her granddaughter. When working through the granddaughters part alone her teacher mentioned that it is important to keep going even if you make a mistake because then the duo will stay together. When we brought both parts together, the granddaughter’s ideal tempo for this piece was a bit faster than her grandmother had originally intended. They were doing very well until the grandmother stopped in the middle of the piece. It was in that moment that the granddaughter pulled her hands off the piano and into the air and said:
“Grandma, you have to keep going!”
There was one short moment of silence before all four of us began laughing. It was the kind of laughter you have with family, the one that makes your day that much brighter.
These moments I have had with students have made me feel so grateful that I chose the career I did. Its the little moments that make it so rewarding.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 20, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
As the title reads, I am in my seventh week of internship and wow has it gone fast! I have so enjoyed learning from multiple music therapists in such a rich learning environment. That being said, it would be dishonest of me to say that it has only been dandelions and roses.
This week was especially challenging as I was met with my first set of constructive criticisms for my time at internship. Accepting criticisms, critiques, and recommendations for many people can be very challenging, but are vital to growth through supervision.
And so, after a busy day filled with students a plenty, and one hefty conversation weighing on my mind I got into my car and headed home. It was on this car ride that I took the opportunity to reflect on the critiques that I had been given and two things kept coming to mind:
1.) If you want to gain the most from this experience, you need to be transparent.
Transparency is an interesting concept in a supervisory context. It breaks down to being entirely open and honest with your supervisors. It is incredibly important to be able to express your concerns, in a professional context especially when you deal so intimately with others’ wellness as a therapist does.
2.) What happens next is up to me.
It occurred to me that moving forward I have the control to fuel the growth that needs to happen, or stay stagnant. What happened next was entirely up to me, and I chose growth.
My message today is an honest one for many students, interns, and people out there: constructive criticism from another person who cares for your betterment professionally, scholastically, or otherwise is not going to be more than you can bear, or out of your reach. You can do this.
Best wishes for an amazing week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 12, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello again!
In the last two weeks my schedule has made some big changes as I have begun co-leading! With co-leading comes much excitement and exceedingly more responsibilities, so I thought it might be beneficial for me to share how I keep organized as an intern.
So, here it goes!
Every week I have one assignment and one repertoire check. My assignments have included composing songs, recording songs, and learning 12 new terms associated with working at a hospital. My repertoire checks (or rep checks) are completed by playing at least two preexisting songs memorized for my supervisor(s). In addition to my predetermined assignments I prepare at least one song or intervention for almost every student or group.
The tools I use are…
1) A monthly calendar
2) A lined journal
3) A weekly schedule with who I see at what time.
4) A word file where I keep documentation, planning, and a practice list
and my new addition by my supervisors request…
5) A song binder
Monthly Calendar
I use my monthly calendar to record only my assignment for the week, my repertoire check songs, and major events. I save daily to do lists and ideas for another place. This keeps my monthly calendar clean and clear to read and allows me to foresee the big picture for what my week, month, and internship will look like as a whole.
Lined Journal
My journal is my go to for almost everything. I keep lyric ideas, short notes, and abbreviated in the moment documentation here. Most importantly it is my ever-growing to do list. For some people a more structured hourly system may work very well, but I prefer a much more flexible system where I can look at what I need to complete for the day and mark it off as I go. Also, I like to use nice and heavily bound journals, because they hold up well as I toss it from my backpack to shoulder bag, to purse depending on the day.
Weekly Schedule
My weekly schedule is simply a schedule of who I see at what time each week. I only put things here that don’t change from week to week so that I very rarely have to go back and update it.
Documentation File
My documentation file lists the days of the week (Monday through Thursday) and who I see in order. For each student I have their plan for the current session, a paragraph form documentation, and a plan for next session in addition to what I am to prepare for the next session. Each week is a new file where the only thing I have to transfer over is my plan for that day. At the top of this file I keep a running list of what I am to practice with a letter indicating the day it is to be prepared for, i.e. (M) for Monday. This is easily the most complicated of my organizational tactics but it works very well for me as I can keep all of my documentation and plans for the week in one file. This ends up being a major time saver for me!
And of course…
Music Binder
My music binder has every song I have done in repertoire checks, assignments, supervision, and with clients. The purpose is that as I build my repertoire I sit down and put every song into this binder so that I have them all in one place. It has already been very handy as I don’t have to lug my computer around and keep ten tabs up to practice all of my music, but I can simply take my binder and get to work.
I hope some of these tools can be as helpful to you or an intern you know as they have been to me!
Thanks for reading!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 9, 2015 | Intern's Corner, MTC
Hello, everybody!
This was my fifth week of my internship and I just started easing into co-leading! I am excited about taking on a bigger role in our groups and sessions, but at the same time I am feeling the stress weighing on me because I do not have much spare time in my week to prepare for the many sessions and groups to come.
Like many other interns out there I work my full work week at my internship and then work the weekend at a paying job. With my commute time that’s at least 65 hours a week. By the time I get home I am usually feeling drained and exhausted, but still I need to practice, make some notes, and prep ideas for future sessions and groups.
After this week I could feel myself losing motivation and drive in a desperate need for sleep and retreat. So instead of trying to make it through another week with an emotional gas tank on “E” I decided to take a day off… oh yes, I did it.
My husband and I went to a pumpkin patch this Sunday and had a wonderful time. We ate fair food, did a corn maze, and even shot a pumpkin out of a cannon (my husband’s favorite part), and finally, after it all on the almost two hour drive home I slept.
What has stuck with me this week is this thought…
As therapists we give and give and give with joy and care, but we cannot forget to give joy back to ourselves.
Have a lovely week!
-AH
