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Working with change

This summer seems to be all about working up to slowing down. Because I am now seven months pregnant, I am focusing on scheduling clients and determining whether or not they’ll have a substitute music therapist in my absence. Some of my clients prefer to continue therapy with the substitute, and some do not. I leave this decision up to the parents and caregivers of my clients.

I am surprised that with my upcoming schedule change and lifestyle shift, I am nevertheless generating all kinds of ideas for the business and my work in music therapy. I wonder if this is because I am having trouble recognizing that I simply cannot, and should not, take on anything new at this point. I have a fear that my professional identity will be lost somehow. So, I was relieved that another music therapist in a similar situation addressed this “down time,” as she put it. You can find Michelle Erfurt’s posts about this subject here and here. I was happy to come across this relevant (to me, at least) writing.

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Acceptance

I found this TED Talk to be inspiring and thoughtful, as most of the talks are. In this talk, I resonated with the speaker’s main sentiment that people don’t need to be changed, they need to be loved.

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Tuesday podcast share

I have been listening to WNYC’s “Radiolab” podcast for years now, and I always love their episodes that have to do with music. “The Septendecennial Sing-Along” is no exception.

As a short description, I’ll say that the story is of a man who plays clarinet with animals. One species he interacts with musically is the cicada. This is a really fascinating episode, and you can find it by clicking on its title (above) right here.

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Monday matters: Termination and transition

I was under the impression that my summer scheduling would be much easier, but I am wrong. The logistics of configuring schedules is really difficult, especially when I’m also integrating maternity leave at the end of the summer.

Because of my pregnancy, I am shifting around a few roles I have as a music therapist, and transitioning a few clients and groups to other therapists. I haven’t had too many instances in which I’ve terminated therapeutic relationships. I told one of my groups today that I would be leaving and that another therapist would be taking over for me, and the reaction was surprising.

Clinical termination and transition

“I don’t like change. I like you,” was one of the comments today that came from a client in a group that I will be transitioning. I held her hand and agreed with her that change is difficult. I assured her I would see her one more time. I felt guilty. I didn’t anticipate the group’s reaction correctly. A few of them seemed genuinely disappointed. I’m not sure why I thought the transition would be simple, but apparently I thought it would be less emotional. This being one of the first groups that I’ve transitioned or terminated, I clearly have a lot to learn, considering there are so many people in the mix.

Professional termination and transition

I have also decided to step away from being a guest blogger on Child Development Club as I have too little energy to adequately contribute any kind of quality writing. 

I’m hoping that I will find space in the upcoming months to fill in more projects, but at this point, my biggest challenge in my professional life looks like it’s going to be dealing with termination and transition.