I am Part of a Community of Music Therapists - What’s Your Superpower?
Hey! I’m Patina - Patina Joy, actually! I’ve been a music therapist working with kids, teens and young adults with a variety of beautiful special needs since 2011! Whether in public schools, home health, or private practice, I have fallen in love with the kids, families and staff I have had the privilege of serving.
If you pop in on a session, you might find us egg-shaking, parachute-moving or puppet-playing! We commonly use instruments, props (like parachutes, Bear Paw Creek stretchy bands, scarves or puppets!), singable books, and visual supports (printed materials to support matching, identifying or songwriting, for instance).
It may look like a party to you since we’re having so much fun, but you wouldn’t believe everything that’s happening under the surface! We’re commonly working on educational goals in the schools, but you’ll quickly see that we’re also addressing communication, social interaction, movement, functional skills, self-regulation and expressing our emotions - all through musical play!
Creating a Music Therapy Business
Sound like a dream job? It TOTALLY IS! But, as a profession that’s striving to grow in recognition, music therapy can also be a lonely business.
You might be the only one in your company or clinic or school district. You might be the only one in your COUNTY or one of only a few in your state. I noticed peers burning out. Giving all of themselves until there was no more to give. The desire to help others often also comes with an intrinsic pressure to provide excellent services day in and day out.
By the time these music therapists provided dozens of sessions and submitted the necessary data and reports, there was no time left to plan for the next round of sessions. So planning happened after work, or after dinner, or on the weekends.
I knew I could share what I had learned, and what mentors had so graciously shared with me, to support music therapists who felt this way and to help prevent burnout of a profession that is so desperately needed! That’s when I created Music Therapy Joy!
I Am Part of a Community of Music Therapists - What's Your Superpower? Written by: Patina Jackson MT-BC Share on X
Music Therapy Community
Through Music Therapy Joy I have the privilege of sharing songs, strategy ideas, visuals, and forms so music therapists don’t have to start from scratch or plan sessions over dinner! In the Music Therapy Joy Community, music therapists not only have access to ALL of the hundreds of resources I’ve created, but we also have monthly community calls where we learn, share our struggles, encourage and inspire one another (not to mention receive 15 CMTEs/year!)!
ALONE, the fun may fizzle and the days may feel long, but TOGETHER we can make a difference and keep the fire burning for us and for the unique and valued kids and teens we serve! They are worth it, and so are we!
Thinking about hiring a music therapist? You should! Visit www.cbmt.org to find a Board-Certified Music Therapist in your area! Are you a music therapist looking for support? Check us out at www.musictherapyjoy.com!
I am part of a music therapy community. What’s your superpower?
