We're Doing Something a Wrong
This post was originally created September 30, 2014
So let me set the stage for you... There I was this morning, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I saw a post of Facebook. It was one of those posts that points our the GROSS misperception that a lot of the world still has about music therapy.
Then, the usual conversation developed...is it worth it to stay in music therapy...nobody understands what we do...frustration, frustration, frustration...
The usual.
Then something interesting happened. Someone brought up the point that there seems to be a lot of inconsistency in music therapy programs...that there are some "bad" music therapists out there, and that it detracts from the credibility of our profession in general.
That was a new one for me. A valid concern, but a new one for me.
Well, then I got all Indigo energy about it and wrote this response:
Sure, there are brilliant music therapists, and there are awful ones. Same way with doctors, psychologists, OT's, PT's, bank tellers, fry cooks, dog groomers...
How many tenured teachers should never have been allowed in a classroom?
I have a friend who is a brilliant musician but would suck as a MT because of not dealing well with other people's emotions.
You can help people develop intuition in clinical practice, but you can't teach it.
Maybe some hard looks at MT program content in college is in order. Maybe this is another reason for (here it come!) masters level entry.
Raise your hand if you'd love to NEVER answer "Did you have to go to school for that?" again.
When was the last time a PT, OT or SLP got asked that question?
Oh, but Stephen, you may say, we have UNIQUE skills and we keep trying to fit into the mold created by other therapies.
Yep. And you know what? We ARE unique! We are the only bachelors entry profession in that bunch. We are the FIRST to get cut when budgets get tight, because there are no laws on the books. We are among the lowest paid of those professions.
Formal profession for 65 years, 50 years of clinical research, and nobody knows who we are or what we do.
WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG!
Any idiot who can play a harp or set up a playlist on an iPod says they are doing music therapy.
WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG!
Do you recommend leg lifts for someone and say you are doing physical therapy? Nope!
Do you talk to someone about their feelings and advertise yourself as a psychotherapist? Nope!
WE ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG!
Unless real, concrete and MASSIVE change happens, and I mean NOW, the MT's in another 65 years are still going to be whining about "nobody understands what we do" and "I can't make a living because of my low pay."
We can complain and analyze until the sun collapses, but without major reform, the status quo will remain in effect.
How do you want to spend your time?