Okay not really. Please forgive the Auntie Mame reference. I watched it this weekend. Really I was thinking of the Ups and Downs of being an intern. My godmother reads my blog and she sent me an e mail about how she enjoys reading about my triumphs and "the crappier stuff too." I was thinking about this more on my way home tonight as I was telling my mom about how each session went today. I had 5 sessions today. In one session I'm the co-therapist, so I don't provide any of the piano music. I facilitate the experience and model and do whatever the client needs me to do. The other four sessions I am the primary therapist. I led every session today, with my ST in the room, except for one experience in one session. That means I did a ton of leading today. There were some really beautiful moments in sessions today--- and some awkward ones. The first session went well. I am learning how to work with this particular client. A therapeutic relationship takes time and trust. Sooo I guess with all of my clients, I'm in this weird phase-- like the awkward dating phase. Do we split the dinner tab? Does he pay? If he pays then is it really a date? Its like asking those types of questions, but in music therapy... okay a bit of a stretch. But some examples might be What kind of music does he like? Does the client need a lot of space, or a little? Structure or freer? those types of questions.
Anyhow, the key last week was the simplify everything. I did that today rather successfully. But here are the NEW things I need consider: appropriate and solid introductions and endings for each experience... go figure. I realized that I need to feel like I'm taking my time. Sometimes I feel the need to push through to the next thing. Don't rush, give everything the time and attention it deserves. Commit to what you're doing 100% even if you have no idea what you're doing. If you're confident in what you present to clients, they will go with it.
My second session was the one where I am the co-therapist. This client has the most expressive face. I think I've mentioned him before. He just comes to life in music and the interactions that happen in music are so meaningful for him. Third session went well and there were some lovely moments, but for this client I need to remember to give solid introductions and endings to help him with transitions. The fourth session was okay. This particular client has a lot to teach about improvisation and I always have more to work on after our sessions than any other client. It can be discouraging because the same thing that worked last week may not work this following week and I only have so many tools and all this other stuff. so After those sessions I tend to feel a little discouraged because I don't feel like it went well or that the music was right. That's the down-est part of the day. BUT today, my last session was amazing. We are really building rapport quickly. I tried the greeting song in a different key- one more effective for my voice- and it set the stage for the entire session. It worked well with the type of music he presents at the piano. I remembered to give pauses and space in the music for him to respond- which he did- and I was able to be open and listen to him and his music and reflect it, incorporate it into the music. Whoa. it was really cool. The entire session felt more cohesive and organic. At least that's what my ST said. I definitely felt more focused and in the zone and like I was really connecting with him. It was a good way to end the day. So I guess to wrap it all up, each day has its ups and downs within the greater schemes of ups and downs. Its hard to be an intern and not know anything and to make the best with what you know and the little bits of information you pick up on the way. Its weird to be in a session and your mind goes blank and fingers start flailing everywhere. The kicker is when the supervisor asks you "so what was going on in the session" or "how did that feel?" and you can't even remember the last 30 minutes! It can be frustrating and discouraging, but there are also these moments where the light bulb goes on and something clicks-- like my last session today. LIke my ST said, "yea.. just do more of that." So I keep plugging away and realize that its only been 5 weeks or something. There's still a lot of time and so much to be done. :)
Tomorrow's schedule is still up in the air. I think we're watching a video or something. I hope I also have time to sit in the somatron for a while and listen to some music. Thursday, Kari and I have Diversity Training in the same building where our CPR/FA class occurred. Our ITD assured us that it would be more interesting than the CPR class. Hopefully. It wasn't the subject matter, but rather the other disgruntled peopel taking the class. Friday is at my second site as usual for marathon sessions and then a meeting with our ITD and Kari (they are taking a ride down to see us) regarding a music therapy inservice that we are providing for a professional management day.
This weekend is going to be pretty quiet. I do have Monday off- so I have an extra day to sleep in! I did however buy my ticket to see the Harlem Gospel Choir performance for Saturday! I love gospel choirs. I am excited. I expect to be knocked over by a wall of vocal sound. No valentines, except for Stacey. So my Sunday will probably be pretty quiet, unless I meet a canadian, plaid wearing, lumberjack type hockey player this week. we'll see. You never know.
Tonight we are supposed to get 5-6" of snow. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post tomorrow! Snow!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment