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[owner-mt-pro@lists.shsu.edu]

>
>On Mon, 7 Jun 1999 11:52:31 -0500 , Maclean, Barbara wrote:
>>Building on what Ted Ficken said:  "There aren't enough music therapists to
>>go around, so we must build supportive, collaborative relationships with
>>other disciplines."  
>> 
>>We (credentialled music therapists) do not "own" the rights to use music to
>>help people.  I am a staunch supporter of credentialling and appropriate
>>training, and I admit my feathers get ruffled when non-qualified people say
>>they are doing "music therapy."  I think, however, we have tended at times
>>to become overly defensive and territorial about who can and cannot use
>>music therapeutically.  This only shows our own insecurities.
>>
>>I totally agree with Ted.  Rather than attack and discourage others, we
>>should support them.  As they discover the benefits of music, we can educate
>>them as to the broad range of our abilities.  They may be using songwriters
>>as mentors for children with cancer.  Great!  I encourage that.  I can also
>>let them know that a music therapist could do that, and here are other
>>things a music therapist can do, that the songwriter cannot.  (Like
>>integrate the songwriting and a multitude of other music interventions into
>>the goals and treatment plans.)  If a nurse wants to use music to help relax
>>her patients, great!  I'll help her with the music.  Then I throw in a plug
>>about why I do a music preference test for relaxation, and not just pull a
>>tape off the shelf, or even use just the patient's stated music preferences.
>>And in so doing, I'm demonstrating why a strong music background and broad
>>musical knowledge base is important, as well as a clinical base of
>>knowledge.  It's this broad spectrum of knowledge and skills that makes us
>>music therapists, and differentiates us from others who use music.
>>
>>Let's build bridges, not burn them.  These people with at least some
>>understanding of the benefits and powers of music can become our advocates
>>and be our link into a facility.  Help them to see the benefits of music
>>first hand, even if it's through volunteers, community musicians or other
>>professionals using music.  Then they can become the ones who can help
>>convince administrators to broaden their program and hire music therapists.
>>We need these folks advocating for music in the treatment settings.  And
>>they need to know we work with people, not against them. 
>>
>>If it was my child in that hospital with no music therapist, I sure would
>>welcome the songwriter.  If it was one of my parents or me in that hospice
>>with no music therapist, I sure would welcome that musician playing music in
>>the room or in the hall.  Attacking and becoming defensive will only
>>alienate others and does not help our "cause."  Educating, having a presence
>>(at conferences, fund-raisers, inservices), and working together will help
>>us, our field and, more importantly, all those people who can benefit from
>>music being a larger part of their treatment.
>>
>>Barbara MacLean, MS, MT-BC
>-- MT-PRO Music Therapy List, mtpro@multipro.com on 06/07/1999 at 5:21:53 
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