The Music Therapy Show with Janice Lindstrom

February 3, 2012 - Music Therapy with the Deaf and Blind

2012-01-27T11:41:00.000-06:00

My guest this week is Natasha Thomas. Listen LIVE noon est/11 cst/10 mst/9 pst or catch the archived show anytime!

Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of NorthDakota (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, 2008) and Board Certified MusicTherapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/Schoolfor the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to privateclients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and theLISTEN Drop-In Center. As part of her work with NDVS/SB, Natasha is aregular transcriber of the Braille Music code, and also signs in ASL for herwork with the ND School for the Deaf. Natasha is currently pursuing aMasters Degree in Special Education (UND, 2012) to supplement her work withthese populations. She is a member of the American Music TherapyAssociation and regularly attends their annual conferences. Natashaenjoys connecting with other Music Therapists (her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND)educating her community on Music Therapy through her newspaperaffiliated blog, http://musicmoves.areavoices.com,supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dancein her spare time (when she has it!)

You can contact Natasha by email at natasha.mtbc@gmail.com

January 27, 2012 - Tim Ringgold

2012-01-26T09:41:00.001-06:00

Listen to this week's show to learn business tips from Tim Ringgold of StartOutSuccessful.com.

Board Certified music therapist Tim Ringgold is Director ofSonic Divinity, which provides music therapy services in Orange County, CA, andteaches business and success principles to new and seasoned professionalsalike.

Tim serves his music therapy community as Vice President ofthe Western Region Chapter of the AMTA, and is a regular presenter at bothregional and national conferences.

Tim has delivered no less than 16 presentations on musictherapy topics since his internship at Musicworx, Inc. in 2008, and has gone onto earn a certificate in NICU music therapy and in HealthRHYTHMS.

Inaugural recipient of the WRAMTA New Professional Award in2009, Tim is a graduate of Chapman University in Orange, CA, where he served asPresident of the Student Music Therapy Association, as well as received theMusic Therapy Award and Guitar Award from the Chapman Conservatory of Music.

Find out more about Tim at www.sonicdivinity.com.

LIVE 12 noon eastern/11 am central/10 am mountain/9 am pacific. You can also check out the archives here.

January 20, 2012 - Pacifier Activated Lullabies

2012-01-18T19:06:00.001-06:00

Today my guest is Kathy Lovell, who will talk about the Pacifer Activated Lullaby technology.

The PAL^® technology is based on researchconducted at the Florida State University by Dr. Jayne Standley. An FSUfaculty member since 1976, Dr. Standley is recognized throughout theUnited States as the foremost authority on medical music therapy. Researchingthe effect of music on premature babies, she found they increased theirsucking rates 2.5 times when exposed to music, thus helping to increase theirweight. Aimed specifically at addressing a long-standing problem amongpremature infants – delayed proficiencies in learning to suck – Dr.Standley’ s musical pacifier has demonstrated what have been called “amazing”results in repeated tests done at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Listen LIVE at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific or check out the archived show. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

“. . . . after more than 100 years of study onthis topic, a body of knowledge now exists to document the many medical,social, and emotional benefits of music.” 2003 – Jayne Standley, Ph.D.

Biography – P. Kathleen (Kathy) Lovell

Kathy is the Chief Executive Officerof Powers Device Technologies, Inc. She hasmore than 25 years of management, sales, marketing, financial, manufacturing,and operational experience. Her focus is building high-growthentrepreneurial ventures by helping early-stage companies refine their businessmodels, develop their infrastructure, access capital and attain profitability. Kathyis Chairman of the Emergent Growth Funds, LLC in Gainesville, FL. Emergent Growth Funds I and II aremember-managed angel funds, focusing on early stage companies developingunique, leading-edge products, or proprietary technologies that possess thepotential for rapid growth in significant markets. Emergent is fully funded byits members and makes direct investments in its portfolio companies. Kathy serves on the boards of directors for AerovectRx Corporation, Atlanta, GA andWilmington Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wilmington, NC (both Emergent Growthportfolio companies.)

Prior to assuming the role of CEO atPowers Device Technologies, Inc., Kathy held executive-level marketing, salesand operations positions with several technology companies. Her manufacturing experience includesover 13 years with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Kathy holds a B.S. in Economicsand Business Administration from State University of New York. She attendedSpringfield College, Masters of Education program and is currently enrolled inNova Southeastern’s Masters of Accountancy program.

Contact information:

www.powersdt.com

pklovell2@powersdt.com

January 13, 2012 - Music Therapy Advocacy

2012-01-12T11:56:00.002-06:00

We're back!

Introduction: Advocacy --> Recognition --> Access

Since 2005, the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists have collaborated on a State Recognition Operational Plan. The primary purpose of this Plan is to get music therapy and our MT-BC credential recognized by individual states so that citizens can more easily access our services. The AMTA Government Relations staff and CBMT Regulatory Affairs staff provide guidance and technical support to state task forces throughout the country as they work towards state recognition. To date, their work has resulted in 35 active state task forces, 2 licensure bills passed in 2011, and an estimated 10 bills being filed in 2012 that seek to create either a music therapy registry or license for music therapy. This month, our focus is on YOU and on getting you excited about advocacy.

So my guests this week will be Judy Simpson, Dena Register, and Kimberly Sena Moore from the State Recognition Operational Plan to talk about Music Therapy Advocacy and how you can get involved! Join us LIVE at Noon EST/11 am CST/10 am MST/9 am PST or listen to the Archived Show. You can also subscribe to this show through iTunes.

How can you get involved? Click here for more information:
Policy and Advocacy information from AMTA
Advocacy information from CBMT

Judy Simpson is the Director of Government Relations for the American Music Therapy Association. She can be reached at simpson@musictherapy.org

Dr. Dena Register is the Regulatory Affairs Advisor for the Certification Board for Music Therapists and an Associate Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. She can be reached at dregister@cbmt.org

Kimberly Sena Moore is the Regulatory Affairs Associate for the Certification Board for Music Therapy, the blogger at Music Therapy Maven, and a PhD student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She can be reached at ksmoore@cbmt.org.

See you next year!

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks for all of your support this year! I have really enjoyed talking with my guests: Christine Weinberg, Meryl Brown, Amy Kalas, Natalie Mullis, Megan Resig and Kimberly Thompson, Raymond Day, Kat Fulton, Christy Joy Diachenko, Karen Goodman, JoAnn Jordan, Jim Newton and Paul Hill, Dorita Berger, Anne Vitort, Anita Gadberry, Blythe LaGasse & Andrew Knight, Marlon Sobol, Louise Montello, Jennifer Townsend, Kristen O'Grady, and James Maxon, Michelle Erfurt, and Judy Simpson and Kimberly Sena Moore.

I've talked about Wellness, Current Events, The Music Never Stopped, Drumify, Evidenced Based Practice, Finding Balance, Autism, Regional Conference updates, Advocacy, and Songwriting, Ethics, and other topics.

I broadcast a total of 31 shows in 2011, 117 shows since May 3, 2008 and over 60,981 listens!

I would love to get your feedback about the show and what topics you'd like to hear. Please leave a comment on this post and let me know!

Would you like to be a guest on the show next year? Email me! with MT Show in the subject line.

Happy New Year!

November 18, 2011 - LIVE from Atlanta!

2011-11-11T11:36:00.001-06:00

This week I'm broadcasting live from the exhibit hall of the American Music Therapy Association Conference in Atlanta, GA. I'll attempt to stop conference attendees in the exhibit hall to ask them about their conference experience and let you know what's going on nationally in the field of music therapy. The scheduled show is subject to change, so check www.themusictherapyshow.blogspot.com or Twitter for the latest information about the show. This is also the last show of 2011. I have lots of guests booked in January, so I'll speak to you again in 2012! Happy New Year!

Listen LIVE at 12:30 pm EST/11:30 am CST/10:30 am MST/9:30 am PST or find the archived show about 15 minutes after the live show ends.

November 11, 2011 - Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care

2011-11-10T13:53:00.002-06:00

The holidays are coming which means we have lots to do! But in the midst of all that we need to take care of ourselves so that we can enjoy the holidays and have the energy and capacity to take care of others. This week, music therapist Christine Weinberg will tell us how to include self care in our list of things to do!

Christine C. Wineberg, MA, MT-BC,LPC currently works for Hampton Hospital in Westampton, NJ and sees privateclients in Plymouth Meeting and Exton, PA. She has music therapy degrees fromMansfield University (1994) and Drexel University (2007) and nowprovides supervision to interns and practicum students as an adjunct facultysupervisor. She has proudly been a board certified music therapist since 1995and was credentialed as a licensed professional counselor in 2010. She workedat the Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy from 1996 through 2011 where shedeveloped a number of programs including a choral group for adults and teenswith intellectual disabilities, a music and movement therapy program forchildren with autism and their families and a continuing education series forcreative arts therapists which included a monthly Self-Care series. She wasappointed to the Continuing Education Committee of the Certification Board forMusic Therapists in 2011 and continues to advocate for quality continuingeducation for music therapy professionals. She has volunteered in bothHonduras, Central America and Ghana, West Africa to teach about the use ofmusic with children with special needs. She has written and presented on anumber of topics including autism, trauma and compassion fatigue and continuesto research these areas of interest. She is currently a doctoral candidate inclinical psychology in the Psy.D. program at Immaculata University. She can bereached at WINEBERGLPC@GMAIL.COM

Listen LIVE at Noon EST/11 CST/10 MST/9 PST or check out the archives here or on iTunes.

November 4, 2011 - Developing Melodies

2011-11-02T12:34:00.001-05:00

My guest this week is Meryl Brown, who is a Board Certified MusicTherapist, Developmental Specialist, owner and Blogger with DevelopingMelodies. She received her MastersDegree in Music Therapy from Illinois State University and holds a Bachelor’sDegree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at The StateUniversity of New York College at Potsdam. Meryl has been providing music therapy for individualssince 2006 and has worked with a variety of populations. In 2008, Meryl received her credential as aDevelopmental Specialist which now allows her to receive reimbursement throughthe State of Illinois for services provided.

Her company was originally founded as BrownMusic Therapy in 2007, however, following maternity leave (allowing plenty of time to think), thebusiness underwent a name change in 2011 to DevelopingMelodies. This allowed her to expandand market her services more effectively. In addition to the name change, she developed a comprehensive websiteincluding information about her, the services and a blog where she features songs,activities, ideas and information for a variety of readers.

Website: http://www.developingmelodies.com

Meryl@DevelopingMelodies.com

Twitter: @DevelopMelodies

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/developingmelodies

Listen LIVE at noon eastern/11 central/10 mountain/9 pacific or you can find the archived show here or on iTunes.

October 28, 2011 - Wholesome Harmonies Music Therapy

2011-10-26T11:02:00.001-05:00

Amy Kalas of Wholesome Harmonies Music Therapy is my guest this week. She works full time at United Cerebral Palsy of Miami AND maintains a private practice! I'll ask her how she balances these two jobs and more about her work and website. Join us for the discussion on Friday, October 28, 2011, at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific by calling in at 646-652-2850 or click here. If you miss the live broadcast, you can still listen to the show through the podcast or in iTunes.

October 21, 2011-Key Changes Music Therapy

2011-10-19T14:34:00.000-05:00

Natalie Mullis is my guest this week. I've been wanting to talk to her for a long time too! She owns Key Changes Music Therapy in my birth-town, Columbia, South Carolina. The mission at Key Changes Music Therapy Services is to provide quality, evidence-based music therapy services to individuals and organizations in the midlands area of South Carolina. She also educates the public about the uses and credibility of music therapy as a useful and necessary treatment modality.

Listen LIVE at 12 noon Eastern/11 am Central/10am Mountain/9 am Pacific. The archived show is available 15 minutes after the show ends and can also be found on iTunes.

October 14, 2011 - MT Show Updates

2011-10-13T20:59:00.003-05:00

This week I don't have a guest and I don't have a specific topic, but I do have a few things to share with you about the show and other music therapy things. If you have a question about music therapy, this would be a good show to call in to! 646-652-2850 during the live show (you can also call in to listen, without speaking to me on air).

Listen LIVE at noon eastern, 11 central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific. Or check out the archives which are usually available 15 minutes after the live show ends. You can also subscribe to the show on iTunes.

October 7, 2011 - Mundana Music Therapy

2011-10-05T13:52:00.003-05:00

I had a lot of fun with my niece and nephews at the Texas State Fair last Friday. I even saw my sister's blanket that she crocheted and entered into the fair. She received Honorable Mention!

I'm ready to get back to the show, though, and am very excited about this week's guests: Megan Resig and Kimberly Thompson of Mundana Music Therapy.

Kim and Megan share original songs, resources, and techniques related to music therapy, music education, wellness, and business. I have been wanting to "meet" these ladies for quite some time so I'm glad to have them on the show!

Listen LIVE at noon Eastern/11 am Central/10 am Mountain/9 am Pacific or check out the archived show here or on iTunes.

September 23, 2011 - Music Therapy and Wellness

2011-09-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

It takes more than physical exercise to maintain good health. Balance is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle. Wellness is the dynamic process of becoming aware of, taking responsibility for, and making choices that directly contribute to one's well being and that of the common good. It is the integration of body, mind and spirit and the ongoing development of one's own meaning in life.

In this week's show, I'll tell you about the dimensions of wellness and how I use them in music therapy.

Listen LIVE at 12 noon Eastern/11 am Central/9 am Mountain/8 am Pacific or catch the podcast. You can also subscribe via iTunes.

Next week, September 30, I'm going to the Texas State Fair, so there won't be a show!

September 16, 2011 - A Day's Work

2011-09-07T11:24:00.001-05:00

This week, my guest is Raymond Day, from A Day's Work. The products presented on this website are the result of 24 years of focused efforts to create musical instruments and aids for the music education classroom with strong emphasis on helping the physically and developmentally challenged through music therapy. They are equally applicable in special education, occupational therapy, and elder care. Special effort has been devoted to those who are confined to wheelchairs.

Listen LIVE at Noon Eastern/11 am Central/10 am Mountain/9 am Pacific or check out the archives after the show.

FillingIn the Gaps
Bringing music therapy to the physically disabled
By N.Raymond Day
06.27.10

Physicalchallenges – we all have them! Everyone has that one spot on their back that ishard to scratch. When an itch occurs, we ask a friend or spouse, “Will youscratch my back? I have an itch I can’t reach,” as we pass an arm over theopposite shoulder to point out where it itches. Then we say, “No! Just a littleto the right and a bit higher. Yes! That’s it!”

Of course, some physical challenges are uniquely our own. My wife is a wateraerobics instructor and she loves choreographing exercises and leading them forher students. In our marriage this illustrates an incompatibility issue. As youcan guess, my wife is very coordinated; I am not. Once she tried to instruct meto do an aquatic exercise. We got in the pool, and she said, “Move your legslike you are skiing.”

After a few minutes I kind of got the hang of it. Then she said, “Move yourarms opposite the direction of your legs.” I tried it while mumbling to myself,“Left leg forward; left arm backward. Right leg forward; right arm backward.” Ifinally stopped because my arms and legs were flailing about directionless –only my brain was still working, doing its mumbling. “Why did you stop?” askedmy wife. “Look,” I replied, “either legs or arms! You can’t have both.” I loveand respect my wife’s coordination and teaching skills dearly, but there is noway I can do what she does.

Some people have physical challenges that vary on a continuum of somewhatextreme at one end to severely extreme at the other. Music therapists work withsuch people every day. Movements of all kinds vary by increasing degrees fromwhat most of us take for granted. The challenges vary from one person toanother but include fingers and hands, legs and feet, brain and body, arms,neck, lips, and more.

Regardlessof the impediment’s location, it is a challenge for an MT to bridge the gapfrom physical difficulty to accomplished music-making and muscular improvement.Yet, it is exhilarating when the individual on the continuum can say, “Icouldn’t, but now I can.” There is a gap between what is and what could be.Bridging this gap is one of the most important actions for an MT. Yet itresults in a moment of another more positive extreme: i.e., extreme joy andgratification.

Bridges in music therapy are called adaptive aids. Regarding those aids, thestaff at Queens Universityof Charlotte, N.C., says:

We are always looking formaximum client benefit in our treatment plans. Good, quality adaptive equipmentopens new doors for our clients and for the treatment plan by making music evenmore accessible. The field benefits anytime a broader client base is reached.Examples of clients who can benefit from adaptive equipment include: clientswith any kind of physical limitation due to stroke, birth defect, orthopedicinjury, or impairment; clients with weakness in grasp strength or low muscletone; clients with tactile defensiveness who have difficulty holding objects;and physically typical clients, such as someone with autism who might beworking on decision making, organization, and creativity.

Creating and Supplying Bridges

Into this gap steps a woodworker – a woodworker who is not only constrained bychoreography, but also has a musical deficit. The woodworker’s wife says, “Hecan’t find a beat, and he walks in circles when he tries to dance like he hasone foot nailed to the floor.” What could this woodworker and music therapistspossibly have in common? It certainly isn’t music. The answer is “the gap.”

In 1987, I received my first invitation to enter the world of music. A younglady came to my door with metal rods in her hand. It was Judy Pine, who is nowdirector of National General Music and vice president at West Music, based in Coralville, Iowa.Judy and her husband Lou were coming to our home for dinner, but she also had anotheridea in mind. She said, “Ray I want you to make chime trees for West Music.” Ireplied, “But Judy, I don’t know a thing about music.”

“You don’t have to,” said Judy. “I know you do good woodworking and I wantthose skills applied to products we are carrying in our new catalogue.”Nervously I agreed, and more than 12,000 chime trees later, they are still inthe West Music catalogue, along with several other products that Judy and Idevised along the way.

MVP 2009 Winner:
Vertical Hand Drum/Tambourine Attachment
A music instrument attachment – made available through A Day's Work Music Education – designed for patients with restricted mobility, allowing wheelchair-bound to participate in music therapy without assistance.

"Music therapists constantly seek out products that facilitate adaptation, so that they can maximize client possibilities during sessions. Across populations, mobility and motor issues may require instrumental modifications. Musical interaction can only occur if music play is accessible. Motor skills can only progress through music play if current motor skills can be accommodated.

The Vertical Hand Drum/Tambourine Attachment attaches to a wheelchair/table clamp (also available from A Day's Work). A frame drum or tambourine is held securely in place. One version of the attachment comes with a spring that can hold a mallet. The Vertical Hand Drum/Tambourine Attachment is meticulously made, highly durable, and capable of taking intense use. It is highly portable and manipulable. At the same time, can be easily immobilized when you want it to stay in place.”

– Bill Matney, MA, MT-BC
Lewisville Independent School District
Adjunct Lecturer, Texas Woman's University

August 26, 2011 - The Music Never Stopped

2011-08-23T23:58:00.000-05:00

I've taken a break for a few weeks to deal with the extreme heat and some transitions I'm going through. But now I'm ready to continue with our broadcast and I have an exciting show for you this week! I was contacted by the producers of The Music Never Stopped, a movie featuring a music therapist, to review the movie on my show and received copies to give away! Listen live at 11 am Central/12 noon Eastern or check out the podcast to find out how to win your very own copy!

August 5, 2011 -- It's hot.

2011-08-05T11:03:00.001-05:00

It's way too hot to think, much less broadcast today. But I'll be back next week with a very exciting show! I'll post more about that soon. Stay tuned.

July 29, 2011 - Rhythm for Good

2011-07-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I haven't had Kat Fulton on my show before! But I'm remedying that now!

Kat Fulton is the mastermind behind Rhythm for Good, a blog about music therapy, drumming, and wellness. Kat Fulton, MM, MT-BC, NICU MT, is a speaker and board-certified music therapist whose passion is achieving therapeutic goals through making music. Simply put, her motto is Be well, feel good, and make MUSIC. With a Masters in Music Therapy from The Florida State University (headquarters for the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy), she holds high standards for scientific research and maintains a practice infused with the latest evidence-based techniques and strategies. She completed her clinical training for music therapy at Musicworx of California, a music therapy contracting and consulting agency located in Del Mar, CA.
Kat runs Sound Health Music (established in 2005), a San Diego-based organization that encourages, enables, and empowers people to develop potential through research-based music experiences. The Sound Health Music team of board-certified music therapists design interventions that use music as the vehicle for positive change within corporate, wellness, medical, and enrichment settings.
Kat is pleased to be associated with Remo® as an endorsed facilitator. She maintains professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association, Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, and the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild.

Listen LIVE at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Check out the archived show here or subscribe on iTunes.

July 22, 2011 - The Musical Autist

2011-07-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

My guest this week is Christy Joy Diachenko, who has 15 years experience as a classical piano teacher. She received her Bachelors of Music from Colorado State University-Pueblo, in 2003. She is currently a graduate student for Music Therapy Board Certification, at Shenandoah University. She has 4 years experience in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, in both music and special education departments, and is currently a home/hospital teacher for some of AA County's most medically-fragile kiddos. She is the founder of the Musical Autist Academy, a place where children on the autism spectrum can learn and engage in music, to help fulfill their IEP goals, as well as to promote opportunities for performance. She blogs at The Musical Autist.

Listen LIVE at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Check out the archived show here or subscribe on iTunes.

July 15, 2011 - Music Therapy Education and Training

2011-07-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

My guest this week is Karen D. Goodman, Professor, Music, who is credentialed as a music therapist, a special education teacher and a licensed creative arts therapist. She has recently published her second book: Music Therapy Education and Training: From Theory to Practice. It is the only comprehensive resource on education and training in our field. She has just returned from presenting at the 13th World Music Therapy Congress in Korea and will also share her experiences there. You can find more information about her here: http://msuweb.montclair.edu/~goodmank/About_Me.html

Listen LIVE at noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific or you can listen to the archived show here. It's also available on iTunes.

July 1, 2011 - Music Sparks with JoAnn Jordan

2011-06-29T10:00:00.001-05:00

JoAnn Jordan, is a board certified music therapist and founder of Music Sparks – a music therapy service serving the needs of preschoolers and older adults. She has served as a presenter at a variety of area workshops speaking on various aspects of her work. Over the past 25 years, she has developed a variety of themed music experiences for these groups. Prior to creating the business, JoAnn served as Life Enrichment Coordinator at Sterling House of Hays and as Activity Coordinator at a variety of other long-term care facilities. JoAnn is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Music Therapy.

Music Sparks --- Free SPARKS newsletter twice a month. Each is based around a theme and has songs & other resources.

Musical Gems -- This site is her more introspective site where she looks at various aspects of life. She just started a free monthly newsletter FACETS with ideas to explore oneself again based around a theme.

Listen LIVE at noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific or catch the archived show. You can also download on iTunes.

June 17, 2011 - Therapeutic Music Entertainment

2011-06-12T15:09:00.002-05:00

Today, I'm thrilled to talk with Jim Newton and Paul G. Hill of Hugworks. They have a Therapeutic Music Entertainment program, that we will learn about.

Mission Statement: Hugworks provides healing experiences for the special needs of children of all ages through performing arts and media.

Founded in 1981, Hugworks (originally Celebration Shop, Inc.) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - is dedicated to providing emotional support and healing through Therapeutic Entertainment and Music Therapy. President & Founder, Rev. Jim Newton (an ordained United Methodist minister under special appointment to Hugworks by the Bishop of the Central Texas Conference) began by providing programs in a wide variety of settings with youth and young adults, primarily in churches where he led concerts, youth weeks, retreats, and camps. In 1983, Jim was impressed by the tremendous response of children, families and staff at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He had never sung for hospitalized children before, but was invited to do a program there by a church youth sponsor who had lost a child to cancer two years before. Jim had a powerful experience that day and immediately recognized that music could have a tremendous healing impact with children suffering from severe, chronic and life-threatening illnesses. With the blessing and support of the Board, he was soon spending full-time in the children’s healthcare arena.

Since the early ’80s, with the help of individual donations, foundation and corporate grants, and public sale of recordings, members of the Hugworks team have toured children’s hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and special medical camps. They have provided their songs of healing and hope for children and families with medical and emotional challenges throughout North America and a number of foreign countries. In 2004, Hugworks began providing Music Therapy in DFW area children’s hospitals. In late 2008, Hugworks began Music Therapy services at its newly renovated Hugworks Center in Hurst, TX.

In addition, over 130,000 audio cassettes, CDs and songbooks have been produced and distributed to supplement the live programs. Hugworks’ healing impact is multiplied through thousands of Music Therapists, Child Life Specialists, Music Teachers and other healthcare/education professionals who make use of these resources in their work to help ease the pain and fear of their clients/patients/students every day.

With the help of long-time composer and co-executive producer, Paul G. Hill, and producer Noel Paul Stookey (of "Peter, Paul & Mary"), the songs that Jim Newton and the Hugworks team have composed, collected and recorded have garnered a number of prestigious awards. Among these are:

Parents’ Choice Gold Award
Parents’ Choice Silver Honor
Parents’ Choice Approved
Family Channel Seal of Quality
American Library Association Notable Children’s Recording
Parent Council Ltd. Outstanding Production
Parent’s Guide Children’s Media Award

Additionally, in recognition of our direct service with children and families, Hugworks has received the following awards:

Children’s Hospice International - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Award for Outstanding Contribution
Torch Bearer for 2002 Winter Olympics- Jim Newton
National Pediatric Nursing Association - Humanitarian Award
American Music Therapy Association - Southwestern Region - Friend of Music Therapy Award
Texas Association of School Psychologists - Children’s Assistance for Living Award

And most recently, Hugworks’ I Can Be The Best I Can Be song animated DVD received these awards:

2009 Omni Intermedia Silver Award - Music Visual Production
2009 Omni Intermedia Silver Award - Children’s Production
2009 Telly Bronze Award for Children's Audience
2009 Telly Bronze Award for Visuals with Music/Concert

Listen LIVE at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific or call in to 646-652-2850. You can also listen to the archives or subscribe on iTunes.

June 10, 2011 - Drumming for Wellness

2011-06-11T16:53:00.003-05:00

Drumming is a popular recreational and therapeutic tool. In this show I discussed why rhythm-based circles are being used with older adults and other settings.

I also reviewed Kat Fulton's "Drumify" DVD, available through RhythmForGood.com.

Listen to the show here!

June 3, 2011 - Evidence-Based Practice

2011-05-31T13:47:00.002-05:00

Evidenced-based practice is a buzz word being used in most health and education fields. But what is it and how is it used in music therapy? Where did it come from? If we aren't doing evidence-based practice, then what are we doing? These and other questions will be the topic of the show today and I'll also offer some questions you can ask your music therapist, health professional or educator to find out about the evidence that supports the treatment or educational plan. I'll also talk about how to make your practice evidence-based.

Listen LIVE at noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Call in to listen or join the discussion at 646-652-2850. Missed the live show? Listen to the archives or download on iTunes.

May 20, 2011 - Developing Music Therapy Goals for Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders.

2011-05-18T13:24:00.009-05:00

Dr. Dorita Berger is my guest this week to discuss Developing Music Therapy Goals for Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She has done many presentations and research on tempo-based music treatment for people with ASD.

Dorita S. Berger, PhD, MT-BC, LCAT, is a concert pianist, educator, Board Certified music therapist, and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapists. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (B.A., Pittsburgh, PA) , New York University (M.A., New York, NY), and Roehampton University (PhD., London, UK), with additional piano performance training at The Juilliard Conservatory in New York City, Dr. Berger is an international lecturer and consultant on music therapy and physiologic function, and has served on faculties of several Universities.

Dr. Berger was recently awarded a Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant to the Ukraine to lecture on Music Therapy. In addition to several journal articles and a book chapter, her published
books include: Toward The Zen Of Performance (1999); Music Therapy, Sensory Integration and the Autistic Child (2002); THE MUSIC EFFECT: Music Physiology and Clinical Applications (2006, co-authored with Dr. Daniel J. Schneck); and a chapter (10) in The Use of Creative Therapies with Autism Spectrum Disorder (S. Brooke, Ed., 2009). Additional recent activities include supervision, seminars, and presentations at International Conferences in Argentina, Italy, Canada, England, the Ukraine, and across the United States.

Dr. Berger is Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Biomusical Engineering, a new on-line publication. Dr.. Berger’s expertise is in Physiologic Clinical Music Treatment for Autism, Sensory Integration, and other diagnoses for all ages, including Psychodynamic treatment for aging populations, trauma victims, and neurologic impairments due to strokes, Alzheimer’s and Dementias, and others.

Submission Guidelines for the Journal of Biomusical Engineering

Contact Dr. Dorita Berger

Listen LIVE at 12:00 noon Eastern, 11 am Central. Or call 646-652-2850 during the show to listen or join the conversation. Or listen to the archives. Or subscribe in iTunes.

May 13, 2011 - Finding Balance

2011-05-13T11:43:00.003-05:00

The illustrious and industrious Michelle Erfurt wrote in: "The main reason for [cutting back on my responsibilities] is for personal balance and sanity. Truth is that I have so many ideas that I think I should do them all... and I'm learning the hard way that a result of acting willy nilly like that can be overload. I've encountered the same thing with sessions as well.

This topic of 'editing yourself' is one that I wonder if other MTs would be interested in hearing about and/or gone through as well. Is this a topic that you and I could discuss on your podcast?" So this week, I'm going to discuss how to find balance and "edit yourself". Michelle called in and shared some of her strategies, I shared mine, and JoAnn Jordan shared hers in the chat room!

Listen to the archived show here or search for The Music Therapy Show in iTunes.

May 6, 2011 - 1,000 Person Project

2011-05-01T12:57:00.004-05:00

Ever schedule way too much for yourself? I did that last week, so I had to cancel the show.

But this month, I have a lot of guests and shows lined up:

May 6 - 1,000 Person Project
May 13 - Maintaining personal balance and sanity (thanks, Michelle Erfurt, for the topic idea!)
May 20 - Developing Music Therapy Goals and Objectives for Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders with Dorita Berger
May 27 - I'm maintaining my personal balance and sanity by taking the day off! So no show on this day.

So this week, my guest is Anne Vitort, of www.upbeatmusictherapist.com. Anne Vitort is a board-certified music therapist and a certified teacher in the State of Washington. After years of working in business, as a Kindermusik educator, and as a stay at home mom, Anne was drawn to music therapy because it combines her love of music with her desire to be of service to those in need. She is maintaining a blog about her 1,000 person project to spread the word about music therapy in Clark County Washington by talking to 1,000 people in her community about music therapy.

Listen this week LIVE at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Check out the archived show here or subscribe through iTunes.

April 22, 2011 - Autism and Communication

2011-04-22T10:02:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to speak with Dr. Anita Gadberry this week about Autism and communication.

For over a decade, Dr. Anita Gadberry has specialized in music therapy with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Before moving to Lawrence, Kansas for doctoral studies, Anita owned a private practice in Plano, Texas, was Co-director of Therapies at a private school for children with autism, and contracted with public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Anita has degrees in music therapy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of Kansas. She frequently presents workshops and seminars for music therapists, music educators, and classroom teachers at the regional, national, and international levels.

Listen LIVE at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific

Or check out the archives at anytime. You can also subscribe via iTunes. Leave me a comment here and let me know what you think and what you would like to hear on the show!

April 15, 2011 - Music Therapy Research

2011-04-14T23:40:00.003-05:00

This week, I'm pleased to have Dr. Blythe LaGasse and Andrew Knight from the Music Therapy Research podcast and blog are my guests this week. They will tell us all about Evidenced Based Practice and how to find and use research in music therapy.

Check out their very informative Music Therapy Research Blog and podcast.

Dr. LaGasse owns a private practice (Summit Music Therapy Services) and teaches at a university in Colorado. She holds a BM in music therapy from the University of Kansas, a Masters in Music (therapy) from Colorado State University, and a Doctorate in Music Education (with therapy emphasis and communication neuroscience minor) from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk). She believes strongly in looking at the data, questioning everything, and being true to yourself and others.

Andrew Knight, MA, MT-BC, NMT Fellow, is assistant professor of music therapy at the University of North Dakota. He teaches courses in music therapy while overseeing clinical placements of students in the Grand Forks community. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in percussion performance with a jazz emphasis, and a Master of Arts degree in Music Education, emphasis in music therapy from the University of Minnesota. Other training includes a Fellowship in the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy from Colorado State University and being a registered Music Together teacher.
Listen LIVE at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific or check out the archives. You can also subscribe with iTunes.

April 8, 2011 - Autism Month

2011-04-05T13:04:00.003-05:00

April is Autism Month so this week we will discuss how music therapy works with people who have Autism. I'll share some tips and strategies for using music with people who have Autism and share some examples of sessions I've done.

I also saw Wretches and Jabberers last weekend, so I'll give a review of that documentary.

To listen to the show live at noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Arizona, or 9 Pacific, click here. To listen to the archived show, click here. Or subscribe to the show in iTunes.

April 1, 2011 - Conference updates

2011-03-30T12:27:00.001-05:00

This week I'll be sharing all the great information I received at the Southwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association (SWAMTA) conference in Waco, TX. I'll also share what I learned at the Online Conference for Music Therapy a few weeks ago. If you've attended a conference recently and would like to share your experiences, you can call the show at 646-652-2850 on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 11:00 am Central Daylight Time. Once you've dialed in, press 1 to let me know you want to talk, or just listen in through your phone. You can also listen online here or find the archived show here if you can't listen live. You can also subscribe to the show in iTunes.

March 18, 2011 - Music Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease

2011-03-16T21:27:00.005-05:00

This week my guest is Marlon Sobol, a music therapist in New York who created a CD for caregivers to interact with people who have Alzheimer's. Listen live at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, and 9 am Pacific or click here for the archives. You can also find the show on iTunes.

Marlon created a CD to connect caregivers and their clients called, Keep On Moving: Music for Therapeutic Rhythmic Activities. The purpose of this CD is to provide music for the mutual enjoyment of both caregiver and patient. The music can also be used as a tool by the caregiver to facilitate therapeutic rhythmic activities and movement that will enhance the patient's overall well-being. You can find the music on iTunes by searching for Keep On Moving by Shem's Disciples or calling 718-519-5880 to order the CD.

You can contact Marlon Sobol, MT-BC, LCAT, for more information at msobol@bethabe.org or call 914-287-7212.

You can get more information about the CD, and his work at Schnurmacher Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing at www.imnf.org.

And you can find information and watch the trailer for the movie we spoke about at The Music Never Stopped.

March 11, 2011 - Essential Musical Intelligence

2011-03-09T09:36:00.002-06:00

The very first guest on my show was Louise Montello back in May of 2008. She spoke about Performance Wellness. Today she will be my guest again! We will get updates on the Performance Wellness program and discuss Essential Musical Intelligence.

Please join in the discussion live at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. You can catch the archives here or subscribe via iTunes. Have a question for Dr. Montello? Leave a comment here and I'll ask it on the show!

March 4, 2011 - Advocacy

2011-03-03T21:45:00.004-06:00

Since last Friday, I've been working on advocating for music therapy in Texas after learning that the Department of Aging and Disability Services recommended to the House Appropriations Committee that specialized therapies (under which music therapy is provided) be eliminated from a medicaid waiver program.

On the show this week I'll share what I've learned through this process about advocacy.

This weekend I'm also participating in the Online Music Therapy Conference, so I'll share about that, too.

Listen live at 12 noon EST, 11 am CST, 10 am MST, 9 am PST or check out the archived show which is available 15 minutes after the show ends. You can also subscribe via iTunes.

February 18, 2011 - Music Therapy and Disorders of Consciousness

2011-02-17T07:47:00.004-06:00

This week I am pleased to discuss the Music Therapy and Disorders of Consciousness seminar that I attended last Friday. This was a fantastic seminar and I have the organizers of the seminar as guests this week: Jennifer Townsend, Kristen O'Grady, and James Maxson.

The one-day event featured prominent therapists and professional speakers who accepted Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center’s invitation to participate in the one-day event and to share their views and experience on a variety of topics related to the care of people in low awareness states, including:

The importance of relationship
Techniques and interventions for working with infants at risk for low awareness states in the NICU
The use of multisensory stimulation
Neuroaesthetics
Past work of Mary Boyle, a leading figure in music therapy and disorders of consciousness
The role of clinical intuition in working with people in low awareness states

The Music Therapy team at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center consists of:

Jennifer Townsend MMT, MT-BC, CCLS, Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in music therapy from Temple University. She is also a fellow of the Robert J. Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapists. Jennifer is the coordinator of music therapy services and has been working at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center for 5 years during which time she has secured grant funding and developed innovative programming to promote music therapy services. She is a dually certified as a child life specialist and embraces an interdisciplinary model of holistic practice.

Kristen O’Grady MA, MT-BC has been working as a music therapist at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center since 2004. She received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Montclair State University and her master’s degree in music therapy from New York University. Kristen will assume the role as President of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association this year.

James Maxson MMT, MT-BC, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit music therapist has been working as a music therapist at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in New York City since 2009. He also works as a music therapist at The Music Therapy Institute at the Westchester Conservatory of Music. James received his masters in music therapy from the University of Florida and his bachelors in music composition from Ithaca College.

To learn more about the music therapy program at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center please go to our website at www.musictherapy-setonpediatric.org You can also learn about the pediatric center by going to www.setonpediatric.org.

Listen LIVE at 12 noon EST/11 am CST/10 am MST/9 am PST or find the archived show here. You can also subscribe via iTunes.

February 11, 2011 - No Show Today

2011-02-09T16:07:00.002-06:00

I am taking off this Friday to attend the Music Therapy and Disorders of Consciousness Symposium.

But you can still hear me talk about music therapy (my favorite topic!) on Wellness for the Real World with Dr. Veronica Anderson. This episode is called "Can Music Heal? The Ohio Players Weigh In".

The first segment featured Clarence "Chet" Willis and "HarryO" McCloud from The Ohio Players talking about how playing and listening to music helped them recover from health problems. Their responses weren't very coherent, but it was interesting to hear them speak and to listen to clips from their songs.

In the next segment, Karina Lewis, a psychotherapist who works with animals and music. In the interview, she indicated that she worked with an actual music therapist and knew about the American Music Therapy Association. She talked about The Mirror Effect and how horses reflect the emotions of people. Her bio states that she is "a trainer with her Master's degree in psychology". She somehow tied music and riding horses together as a therapeutic tool and therefore was an "expert" in music therapy.

The third segment featured Sharon Ruben, author of Awakening Ashley: Mozart Knocks Autism On Its Ear. She did know and state that what she was talking about is Listening Programs, not music therapy. Apparently, her daughter was "cured" of autism through a listening program that I suspect was related to the Tomatis Method. She has developed her own listening program called Lollipop Listening Therapy. Her theory is that ADHD and Autism affect people because the muscles that vibrate the bones in the inner ear are too weak.

Finally, I got to speak in the fourth segment. I did my best to clarify some of the prior misconceptions about music therapy. I also defined music therapy and gave real-life examples and explained real research from music therapy. And I got the last word!

I would love to know what you think about what was presented on this show. Leave me a comment and let me know!

I'll be back next week to talk to you live about REAL music therapy!

February 4, 2011 - Happy Birthday, Music Therapy Tween!

2011-02-02T12:13:00.003-06:00

The Music Therapy Show is celebrating the second anniversary of the Music Therapy Tween, and the 31st birthday of Michelle Erfurt, MT-BC. This week, we welcome Michelle as our guest to talk about her blogging and music therapy adventures.

Michelle provides music therapy services at Treasure Coast Hospice through her private practice: Erfurt Music Therapy, Inc. She also writes for the blog MusicTherapyTween.com - a blog that shares tips and thoughts for the traveling professional AND maintains the
ErfurtMusicResource.com - a resource of music related services, products and information.
Michelle has been involved in the development of Wade Richards book: Richards Modified
Tuning for Adapted Guitar and Rachel Rambach’s first Listen & Learn Songbook.

Contact Information -
Michelle Erfurt, MT-BC
Email: michelleerfurt@yahoo.com
Phone: 614-832-8664
Twitter: @michelleerfurt
Facebook: michelleerfurt
Blog: www.MusicTherapyTween.com
Resource List: www.ErfurtMusicResource.com

Listen live at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Or check out the archives here or subscribe through iTunes. Leave a comment here and let me know what you think of the show!

Songwriting, Ethics, and other topics

2011-01-28T10:03:00.005-06:00

Today I'm going to talk about some successes I've had with a few clients this week, some motivation issues and solutions, and the new Ethics requirement for continuing education for music therapists.

I had a client who wanted to write a song about one of his hobbies this week, so I'll describe the process I used and how I challenged myself to use the piano more in therapy. Piano is not my major instrument and I experienced "piano trauma" in college. So this was a big challenge.

I saw another client this week who was stumbling through spelling a word, so I wrote another song on the spot to help with that task. I'll sing a little for you and let you know how that turned out.

In the third segment, I took a distance-learning Ethics course that fulfills the CBMT requirement for Ethics credits. I'll give a review of the course.

As always, you can listen LIVE at 12 Noon Eastern, 11 AM Central, 10 AM Mountain, 9 AM Pacific. Or you can find the show archives here, or subscribe on iTunes.

January 7, 2011 - Music Therapy Advocacy

2011-01-05T10:30:00.006-06:00

Happy New Year! I hope your New Year's Resolutions are off to a good start. I also hope that one of them is to advocate for music therapy! On today's show, my guests are Judy Simpson and Kimberly Sena Moore who, along with Dena Register, work on the State Recognition Operational Plan. Through this Plan, a national initiative being implemented jointly by CBMT and AMTA, Judy, Dena, and Kimberly provide guidance and technical support to State task forces as they work to obtain State recognition of music therapy and the MT-BC credential.

Learn how YOU can help music therapy gain State recognition and create greater access to music therapy for members of your community. Listen live at 12 noon EST, 11 am CST, 10 am MST, 9 am PST or listen to the archives or subscribe via iTunes.

Judy Simpson is the Director of Government Relations for the American Music Therapy Association. She can be reached at simpson@musictherapy.org

Dr. Dena Register is the Regulatory Affairs Advisor for the Certification Board for Music Therapists and an Associate Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. She can be reached at dregister@cbmt.org

Kimberly Sena Moore is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapist. She serves as Regulatory Affairs Associate for the Certification Board for Music Therapists, practices music therapy through Neurosong Music Therapy Services, and runs the blog Music Therapy Maven.

December 10, 2010 - Music Therapy Students

2010-12-08T23:20:00.003-06:00

Music Therapy Students and Prospective Music Therapy Students may become members of the American Music Therapy Association Students (AMTAS).

AMTAS are undergraduate and graduate student members of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). The goal of the student organization is to increase awareness, involvement, and knowledge of music therapy students by fostering communication and growth in preparation for a professional career.

The Student Affairs Advisory Board (SAAB) is one of the boards of the American Music Therapy Association. Its purpose is to establish and strengthen a positive and productive relationship between students and professionals of the organization, consult and advise students regarding any concerns brought to attention by students or concerning students, and to encourage and support students’ professional involvement and growth within AMTAS and eventually AMTA.

This week, I'm please to invite Dr. Petra Kern back to the show, along with past and current members of the SAAB, to talk about music therapy students and how they are helping the field of music therapy develop. Listen live at 12 noon EST, 11 am CST, 10 am MST, 9 am PST, or listen to the archived show here, available about 15 minutes following the end of the show. You can also subscribe to the show through iTunes and never miss an episode!

December 3, 2010 - Surviving the Holidays

2010-12-03T10:12:00.001-06:00

I was going to skip the show this week, because I have way too much going on. But I wanted to share a brief message and my mantra for this month: You are worth taking care of!

Listen here. Have a great weekend!

November 19, 2010 - LIVE from Cleveland!

2010-11-16T16:29:00.002-06:00

This week, I'll be broadcasting live from the Erfurt Music Therapy Resource booth in the exhibit hall at the American Music Therapy Association conference in Cleveland, OH. I'm not sure if I'll be able to take callers, but if you'd like to listen live, call 646-652-2850 or click here, on Friday, November 19, at 1:30 EST, 12:30 CST, 11:30 MST, or 10:30 PST.

If you miss the live show, all shows are archived as a podcast about 15 minutes after the show ends. You can find the archived show here, or subscribe to The Music Therapy Show on iTunes.

I've not tried to record a show "on location" before, so I'm not sure how it will sound, but I hope you'll find it informative. Let me know what you think by commenting on this post!

November 12, 2010 - Honoring Communication

2010-11-12T10:31:00.002-06:00

I work with a lot of clients who would be considered "low functioning" in clinical terms. However, they all are capable of communication, and it's up to me and others around them to honor their communication. This week I'll talk about what that means and how to do it.

Listen live at Noon EST, 11 CST, 10 MST, 9 PST. Or check out the archives at any time. You can also make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing through iTunes.

November 5, 2010 - Hospice Music Therapy

2010-11-05T08:55:00.005-05:00

This week, I welcome Jennifer Haskins to the show to talk about Hospice Music Therapy.

Jennifer Haskins, the Music Therapy Department Manager and Internship Director at Big Bend Hospice, is a board certified music therapist and has been serving hospice patients and families for over 5 years. Upon graduation from Florida State University, Jennifer completed Internship working with older adults at Sunshine Terrace Foundation in Logan, Utah. She began working at Big Bend Hospice in March, 2005 and was assigned to the hospice in-patient unit where she gained experience in helping terminally ill patients and their families with acute care needs. Jennifer has also served on the facilities hospice team, and multiple home based hospice teams. In the last two years, Jennifer has collaborated with the Bereavement department, serving children and teen bereavement groups, adult groups and individuals. She is currently leading two bereavement groups in the community, serving individuals in residential court-ordered substance rehab facilities. Above all, the focus of Jennifer's career is to continue to push forward and explore and learn as much as possible.

Listen live at noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Or check out the archived show if you missed the live broadcast. Or make it easy on yourself and subscribe to the show in iTunes.

For more information about Big Bend Hospice, check out www.bigbendhospice.org or email Jennifer.
For more information on Hospice Music Therapy, check out these shows:

Leave a comment here and let me know what you think!

October 29, 2010 - Erfurt Music Resource

2010-10-29T09:55:00.003-05:00

I am excited to have Michelle Erfurt as my guest this week. Michelle currently provides music therapy at Treasure Coast Hospice and in private practice. She has experience working with a variety of individuals of all ages diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, motor function problems, intellectual delays, communication disorders, medical problems and social skill needs. Michelle has provided music therapy services at the Orlando campus of Florida Hospital and in private practice before relocating to Florida’s Treasure Coast. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania as well as nationally recognized Board Certification. Michelle has also completed specialized certifications in Neurologic Music Therapy and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy. She serves as the Membership Committee Chairperson and Student Advisor for the Southeastern Regional chapter of the American Music Therapy Association .

Michelle also maintains The Erfurt Music Resource, a collection of individuals working to promote items and information related to music and music therapy. And she is one of the members of the Music Therapy Roundtable, along with Kimberly Sena Moore and Rachel Rambach.

October 20, 2010 - Technology and Music Therapy

2010-10-19T21:20:00.005-05:00

This week I have an event to attend on Friday, so The Music Therapy Show will broadcast live on Wednesday at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 noon Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. Missed the live show? Check out the archives here, or download through iTunes.

My guest this week is John Lawrence, a music therapist practicing in Edmonton, AB Canada. He graduated from Temple University in 1995 with a Master's degree in music therapy and has been in private practice since that time. His specialty area has been geriatrics, especially those with Alzheimer's type dementia and more recently, veterans of multiple conflict zones. He has continually been interested in the use of technology, as it can be utlized to enhance clinical knowledge and skills, and has incorporated various technologies into his instruction of several "Introduction to Music Therapy" courses. He is currently serving as chairperson of the 1st ever, Online Conference for Music Therapy (to be held on March 5-6, 2011). John is affiliated with the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and is past-president of the Music Therapy Association of Alberta (MTAA).

Here are the links mentioned in the show:

Elluminate: www.elluminate.com
Creative commons: www.creativecommons.org
Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT): www.musictherapy.ca

My practice:
John Lawrence MMT, MTA
JL Music Therapy Services
Edmonton, AB
CANADA
Ph: (780) 288-1390
E-mail: jlmt@telus.net

OCMT2011 Conference Info:

WHEN: *Online Conference for Music Therapy (OCMT2011) - March 5-6, 2011

WHERE: Online via Internet

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
Facebook: OCMT2011 - Online Conference for Music Therapy
Twitter: #OCMT2011
Blog: onlineconference4mt.wordpress.com
E-mail: ocmt2011@gmail.com

Conference registration to commence Nov. 1st, 2010 via our website. Check the resources listed above for more details and contact information. Special rates available for students and groups of MT professionals/educational sites!

*Training for participants and presenters will be available in the new year (2011) prior to the conference. If anyone is interested in a demo of the Elluminate solution, please contact me directly at: jlmt@telus.net. John is presently looking for individuals who could spend 20-30 minutes, to allow me to practice my moderator skills, and learn about the Elluminate product.

October 15, 2010 - imagine with Dr. Petra Kern

2010-10-13T11:26:00.002-05:00

imagine, is the first annual online magazine dedicated to Early Childhood Music Therapy, sponsored by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). The purpose of this new publication is to improve access to and distribute knowledge and information about early childhood music therapy in clinical terms.

imagine is free to everyone and accessible around the world. The inaugural issue of imagine has been released on September, 1 2010 with over 50 contributions from 10 countries. Initial reviews of imagine readers speak for a remarkable success of AMTA’s new publication line. You can find imagine on the web at www.imagine.musictherapy.biz

Today, I am speaking with Dr. Petra Kern, the editor of imagine. She will tell as more about the development, goals, and content of the new early childhood online magazine.

Listen live at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Call in during the show: 646-652-2850 to listen or join the discussion. Subscribe on iTunes. Or listen to the archived show, available 15 minutes following the end of the show.

October 8, 2010 - Creating Performance Opportunities

2010-10-07T11:07:00.003-05:00

Last week I talked about the therapeutic benefits of performance. This week I will discuss how to find or create the right performance opportunity for your child.

Listen live at 12 noon Eastern, 11:00 Central, 10:00 Mountain, 9:00 Pacific, or listen to the archived show (available 15 minutes after the show ends), or subscribe via iTunes.

I would love to hear from you about what topics you'd like to hear in the future. Leave me a comment and let me know that you listen and why! Have a great week!

October 1, 2010 - Performance

2010-09-29T11:15:00.003-05:00

I have many clients who perform as part of their therapeutic program. I have a bell choir of adults with developmental disabilities, a group that wrote and is producing a musical, and a guitar student who performed at a benefit concert with a country music star. These performances brought out some amazing qualities and provided some amazing opportunities for my clients.

This week, I'm going to talk about the importance of performance for personal growth and development and the goals that can be accomplished in performance opportunities. Listen live at 12 noon Eastern, 11:00 Central, 10:00 Mountain, 9:00 Pacific, or listen to the archived show (available 15 minutes after the show ends), or subscribe via iTunes.

What has performance done for you? I'd love to hear your comments or questions about the show. Leave a comment here.

Fall Playlist

2010-09-24T10:30:00.005-05:00

I haven't broadcasted since August and fully intended to get back to it the very next week after my vacation, but have been dealing with a lot of other things that needed my "urgent" attention. So here's what I was going to talk about today, had I had the time to do a show.

I have many clients who appear to have minimal awareness of their surroundings. However, I believe that they are aware when things change, like the seasons, and I like to use music to help communicate that change to them. So each season, I try to come up with some songs that reflect that time of year. I encourage parents to play and sing them so that they can reinforce the concept.

I also like to use music for myself that reflects the seasons or my mood. I have a playlist for Rain, Moon, Halloween, and Fall that I listen to during Autumn.

Here are the songs I use in my playlists for myself and for my clients:

Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Spooky by Classics IV
Shine On Harvest Moon (I like the version sung by Rosemary Clooney)
Paper Moon (sung by Ella Fitzgerald)
Moondance by Van Morrison
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Doris Day version)
Moonlight Bay (Doris Day version)
For Baby (For Bobbie) by John Denver
Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's
Blue Moon sung by Ella Fitzgerald
California Dreamin' by The Mamas and The Papas
Fly Me to the Moon sung by Frank Sinatra
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Ghostbusters theme song
Abracadabra by Steve Miller and the Band
Soul Man from the Blues Brothers
Wooly Bully by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Stayin' Alive from that John Travolta movie
Welcome to My Nightmare by Alice Cooper

And of course I listen to the Autumn movements from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Gives a little variety from Monster Mash...

What are your favorite fall songs?

I'll broadcast next week. In the meantime, listen to one of the archived shows!

August 27, 2010 - Renew yourself!

2010-08-27T12:11:00.002-05:00

I'm on vacation this week for a little renewal and self-care, so there's no show this week. Spend a little time taking care of yourself this weekend and maybe listen to an archived show or two. Be sure to let me know what you think!

Have a great weekend! I'll be back next Friday at 11:00 Central. Check here for updates!

August 20, 2010 - Sound Health Music

2010-08-18T10:36:00.006-05:00

Kat Fulton, MM, MT-BC, NICU MT, is a speaker and board-certified music therapist whose passion is achieving therapeutic goals through making music. Simply put, her motto is Be well, feel good, and make MUSIC. With a Masters in Music Therapy from The Florida State University (headquarter for the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy), she holds high standards for scientific research and maintains a practice infused with the latest evidence-based techniques and strategies.

Kat is pleased to be associated with Remo® as an endorsed facilitator. She maintains professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association, Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, and the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild.

Kat Fulton is my guest this week to talk about Sound Health Music and Rhythm for Good. Join us LIVE Friday at Noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific and sign up at Blog Talk Radio to participate in the chat room. If you're not near a computer during the show, call in to listen: 646-652-2850. Or listen in the archives available 15 minutes after the show ends. Or subscribe in iTunes.

August 13, 2010 - Breathing

2010-08-11T11:37:00.005-05:00

I know, I know. If you are reading this, obviously you are breathing. But did you know that how you breathe can affect how you feel? Breathing is an important part of life (obviously) and music-making. This week I'll discuss how to breathe to reduce stress, increase energy, and clear your mind. I'll give examples of techniques I use with my clients.

Listen live or to the archives through iTunes or at the show page. This week's show will be live at 11:00 am Eastern, 10:00 am Central, 9:00 am Mountain, 8:00 am Pacific

August 6, 2010 -- No Show

2010-08-04T11:14:00.004-05:00

I've been debating back and forth about having a show on Friday and have decided that since I am preparing to host the Board of Directors retreat for the Southwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association, that I will skip the show this week to prepare for that meeting.

I'll be back next week to talk about...well, I haven't decided that yet. Why don't you leave me a comment to let me know what topic you are interested in!

On August 20, Kat Fulton will be my guest to talk about her work and her blog. Check out this very cool video she did introducing boomwhackers to Lady Gaga. Who knew shoes had such drama?!

July 30, 2010 - Transitions

2010-07-28T11:33:00.003-05:00

Transitions can be tough for routine-oriented clients. This week I will talk about strategies for making transitions easier, including unplanned schedule changes.

Listen live at 11:30 Eastern, 10:30 Central, 9:30 Mountain or 8:30 Pacific. Call in with your questions: 646-652-2850. Or download the show to listen to the archives. Or subscribe through iTunes.

July 23, 2010 - Writing a personal song

2010-07-22T10:35:00.003-05:00

Last week, I talked with Charli Brown about song writing and writing your own personal song. This week, I'm going to give you steps to take to write your own personal song:

1. Don't worry if it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song!
2. To Rhyme or Not To Rhyme--That is the question!
3. Which came first: The Melody or The Words?
4. Be like Nike: Just do it!

Listen to the show live at 12 noon Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific. Call in to get personal tips for writing your song: 646-652-2850.

Download the show by subscribing through iTunes. Click on the player in the side bar. Or listen to the archived show!

When you listen, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

The Music Therapy Show with Janice Lindstrom

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January 27, 2012 - Tim Ringgold

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Introduction: Advocacy --> Recognition --> Access

See you next year!

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Songwriting, Ethics, and other topics

January 7, 2011 - Music Therapy Advocacy

December 10, 2010 - Music Therapy Students

December 3, 2010 - Surviving the Holidays

November 19, 2010 - LIVE from Cleveland!

November 12, 2010 - Honoring Communication

November 5, 2010 - Hospice Music Therapy

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December 13, 2008 - Palliative Care & Hospice

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Fall Playlist

August 27, 2010 - Renew yourself!

August 20, 2010 - Sound Health Music

August 13, 2010 - Breathing

August 6, 2010 -- No Show

July 30, 2010 - Transitions

July 23, 2010 - Writing a personal song