January is Social Media Advocacy Month and I am VERY excited! This is my first January as a blogger and I am looking forward to taking part in this exciting opportunity. Admittedly, ‘advocacy’ sounds a little bit intimidating to me. But the more I read and the more I reflect, the more I realize I have been an advocate of music therapy for a long time without even realizing it.
Presenting as Advocacy
I have had many opportunities to present about the work that I do, but no presentation was more meaningful than the one I gave at United Cerebral Palsy last August. I work full time in UCP’s preschool and charter school, and sometimes I think it is still unclear to the staff what exactly it is that I do.
During this presentation to the administrators and staff, I explained why music is an effective therapeutic medium. I described the neurologic music therapy techniques I use, as well as the basics of the scientific logic that supports these techniques. I explained how I reference IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and speak with teachers to ensure I am directly targeting their goals in my sessions. I showed video clips and gave live musical demonstrations to pull all the information together in a way that was engaging and interactive.
By the end, I do believe the staff had a better understanding of why music is effective in therapy and what goes on during a music therapy session. This is critical because I am not only advocating to explain what music therapy is, but also to secure my position. We have had severe budget cuts and I want to make sure everyone knows that the work I do with the children is not “extra” – it is a critical part of their treatment plan. Advocacy!
Website & Blog Advocacy
Another way I advocate is through my website and blog. Music therapy students and professionals are not the only readers of my blog. Through Facebook and Twitter, I am able to reach family and friends, as well as professionals outside the field. I have received feedback from family and friends that my website and blog have helped them understand more clearly what it is that I do. This makes me so happy!
We as music therapists know that the scope of our practice cannot be fully explained in a three or four sentence definition. Music therapy needs to be seen and heard; it needs to be explained through case examples and anecdotes. And that is exactly what I envisioned for me website and blog. Advocacy!
Everyday Advocacy
We all come across scenarios in social situations and everyday life where people ask what we do…then there’s that long pause…and they ask “So what is music therapy?” And then we go through our whole “spiel.” Admittedly, I used to kind of dread this. Sometimes I would even say I was a music teacher just to make things simpler. (shameful, I know!!)
However, now I am excited to explain what I do! I have amazing stories to tell; I have research that can back up the “how” and “why” these amazing things are happening. So instead of dreading explaining music therapy, I have come to embrace it. I just hope they have at least half an hour to hear all I have to say. Advocacy!
Well that’s about it for now! I invite YOU to participate in Social Media Advocacy Month and share your comments below about how you are doing so!
