Abstract: Music therapists find themselves taking on more roles and responsibilities in their professional and personal lives. This session will discuss these roles, identify issues within these roles, and recommend possible solutions to help music therapists work through their own juggling act. Learner Objectives: 1. The learner will be able to identify at least three…
Abstract: More than ever, our field is in dire straights. Between 2009 and 2011, job loss almost tripled (AMTA Sourcebooks 2010 and 2012). Facilities are cutting their budgets, and healthcare reform doesn’t look promising, and many MTs cannot make ends meet. On the other hand, some music therapists are hitting all-time high revenue records, hiring…
Abstract: Hospice care is a rapidly growing field of employment for music therapists. Those working in hospice often find themselves addressing the spiritual as well as physical and emotional needs of patients and families. This work can be challenging, especially when the patients’ spiritual and cultural backgrounds are different from those of the therapist. This…
Abstract: Through their clinical training, music therapists become comfortable working directly with clients, according to professional standards of practice. The reality of the workplace, however, is that direct service is not always feasible or desirable with potential clients. At the same time, music therapists have expertise to offer beyond what happens in a music therapy…
Abstract: “Border” is defined as “the line that officially separates two countries or regions.” For the hospice music therapist, finding this line between our work and the rest of the world is not straightforward, as the job extends beyond the client/therapist relationship to include support of clients’ families, colleagues, and the community. This elusive border…
Abstract: Distinguishing between vegetative state (VS), where there are no indications of consciousness despite wakefulness, and minimally conscious state (MCS), is a challenging process. To address the lack of evidence supporting music therapy assessment, healthy (n:20), VS(n:12) and MCS (n:9) responses to music therapy and contrasting auditory stimuli were compared within neurophysiological (EEG, heart and…
Abstract: Working with a person with developmental disabilities is challenging. Music therapists help clients focus on developmental and habilitation goals. Working with a person with psychiatric disorders is also challenging. Music therapists focus their clients on diminishing the symptoms of the disorder as well as understanding the life patterns of the disorder. Music therapy treatment…
Abstract: The AMTA Code of Ethics says that we will not enter into dual relationships. However, there are times when dual relationships are unavoidable. Hear from this music therapist as she shares how she has dealt, successfully and unsuccessfully, with unavoidable dual relationships. This area is not black and white, rather shades of grey, but…
Abstract: This presentation explores the concept of identity for patients with mental illness who are also offenders. Literature from the areas of labelling theory, ethics, and music therapy will be drawn on to examine the experience of mentally ill offenders who have been labelled with such terms as ‘crazy’, ‘psychotic’, ‘criminal’, ‘deviant’, ‘prisoner’ and others….
Abstract: Session explores therapist’s choice of interventions in a music therapy session with a parent-child dyad to promote gains for the child and parent and support healthy parent-child relationships. Using principles from music therapy and family therapy, participants will understand the importance of addressing the needs of the parent-child dyad. A review of the literature…
Abstract: Research shows that mindfulness has a variety of health benefits. While traditionally associated with meditation practices, mindfulness can also be experienced through music- making. In this presentation, participants will deepen their understanding of mindfulness through music-based activities and examine possible implications for themselves and clients. Learner Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to identify…
Abstract: Current research indicates that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have neurological differences that may underlie core characteristics. We will briefly review the evidence in ASD and discuss implications in clinical practice. Music therapy techniques and accommodations will be discussed in terms of how they may impact cognitive, sensorimotor, or speech tasks. Learner objectives: Participants…
Abstract: In this presentation Dr. Gilbertson will be considering how music therapy is one way of considering how humans are linked beyond the borders of concepts such as cellular, neural and interpersonal domains. Whilst discussing the concept of the inseparable human, he will discuss my understanding of the central, peripheral and social nervous systems in…
Abstract Technology, in the broader sense, has been used in music therapy since the profession’s development during the latter half of the 20th century. However, in the last decade alone society has seen the development of hand held devices, such as MP3 players, smart phones and tablets. All of these devices have revolutionized the way…
