Written by: Gabby Jones, MT-bC, Neurologic Music TherapistWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. As a person-centered clinician, I interact with so many families, caretakers, and loved ones connected to the people I serve. From parents to spouses to respite workers, I’m constantly delivering reports or updates about my clients’ progress in the music therapy space, and one of my favorite parts about the job is the concept of collaboration. It’s so important to be involved in the care of your loved one to amplify their success, but oftentimes, I find it hard to feel supported in the work that I’m doing with individuals. I think, “Are their parents seeing these differences at home?” or “Are other therapies addressing similar goals with them?”. As a clinician who advocates for continued, practical, meaningful transfer of skills for my clients, here are some ways client’s loved ones can support the music therapy journey:
Overall, collaboration is so important. We see the greatest success for clients whose support systems remain supportive. Music therapy is such a creative and fluid space, and we want to encourage creativity and fluidity outside of the work we do at our clinic. The people we serve deserve to feel as though we’re all in their corner - so let’s work together to achieve that goal!
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Piedmont Music Therapy appreciates the support of the SC Arts Commission for music therapists on staff at Piedmont Music Therapy to attend the Southeastern Region - American Music Therapy Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia last month! Some of the takeaways included:
This was a valuable experience and PMT is grateful to the SC Arts Commission for its support!
We asked our team of board certified music therapists to take the quiz on page #19 to gauge their interest in being in the profession. The average score was 27. How would you or a friend fair with the questions? Try not to worry, there's no perfect score with fitting the personal qualities! Feel free to share this resource from American Music Therapy Association (page 19) with a high school student or other individual curious about pursuing a career in music therapy! Image description: "A Career in Music Therapy. An Allied Health Profession." A smiling professional sits beside a person with head phones, both looking downward. Variety of guitars barely visible in background of the room they sit within.
This is the fourth post in a series following Executive Director, Gretchen Benner's attendance of the York County Non-Profit Management Certificate Program - Rock Hill, SC. William Drinnon, CPA of Burkett, Burkett and Burkett shared valuable information in regards to Financial Management of a non-profit organization. An underlying theme was the added need of accountability and transparency. Adding internal controls in order to ensure minimal error was emphasized. It was intriguing to learn how to possibly adapt to a small organization, such as Piedmont Music Therapy. PMT is committed to integrity & ethical values. Last month's workshop emphasized the need to increase conscience controls for minimal risk with the organization's financial stability. Learning about the intricacies of Form 990 through the Internal Revenue Service was interesting. PMT looks forward to publishing its first Form 990 in a few weeks. This informational tool will be a great way to share the numbers of our organization. I am grateful for Mr. Drinnon's presentation and will continue to apply strategies learned! As we approach the end of 2024, staff took some time to reflect on some highlights from 2023. As music therapists in private practice, we work with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds on a regular basis. We’re blessed to share space with so many people, and it’s humbling to witness the power of music in so many different forms. Below are a few of our staff’s most memorable moments from the last year of work: Rumbling Recovery I have been humbled to return bi-monthly for co-facilitating drum circles at Charlotte Rescue Mission Dove's Nest. The residents forge such resilience and perseverance amidst their treatment. Witnessing residents genuinely connect, laugh and share with one another in their sobriety is an honor. Their honesty reminds me to focus on the present. -Gretchen Benner, LMSW, MT-BC I Hear Your Heart I was so blessed to lead an 8-week music therapy program with survivors of SA/V through Brave Step. The women were passionate about regaining confidence and building community through songwriting, improvisation, and poetry. Each session held new and creative pathways to combatting grief and trauma, and I was honored to witness the resilience these women held. -Gabby Jones, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist “It’s a Good Day for Singing a Song” We begin each session with this Peggy Lee hit at the Minds Matter Fort Mill location where I have thoroughly enjoyed leading music therapy groups for older adults. Each session I am able to witness participants engage in various activities and connect with one another through song. It’s so rewarding to see their bright personalities come together in a space where they can display their creativity and try new things! -Molli Smith, MT-BC Music and Growth As a music therapist, I am honored to work with clients affected by stroke and how music can be used to facilitate growth as a person as well as a musician. -Melissa Reinhardt, MSEd, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapist Third post in a series following ED, Gretchen Benner's attendance of the York County Non-Profit Management Certificate Program - Rock Hill, SC. Tiffany and Dr. Scott Whaley presented “Board Governance” during this month’s series. One of the takeaways from this lecture discussed the importance for Piedmont Music Therapy (PMT) to diversify its Board of Directors - building a strong team! With enough support PMT will be able to open a digital application process for interested service members. The shared motto by the Whaleys was “always be building your board.” The purpose of a Board of Directors is to act on behalf of the community while furthering the organization’s mission. PMT is grateful for its board members and their willingness to support our mission of providing music therapy treatment, music lessons and educational events in the greater Charlotte area. During our first year operating as an NPO (Non-Profit Organization), the extra level of accountability and support has been appreciated! The board also helps to dream into the future for capacity building. I look forward to attending the future lectures in next month and into 2024. Happy New Year and best wishes during your holidays! Second post in a series following Executive Director, Gretchen Benner's attendance of the York County Non-Profit Management Certificate Program. Collaboration, partnerships and alliances will help Piedmont Music Therapy to further its mission. Gratefully, we have leaned into community-based partnerships with area organizations and agencies over the past decade. Leaning more into managing those partnerships and sharing takeaways and metrics will assist to spotlight that work. As an Executive Director, my role is to manage the organization which includes the personnel and procedures to connect, play and grow with individuals of all ages and abilities through music therapy treatment, lessons and education within the community of greater Charlotte. In exploring the stages of an organization's development from Mr. Charles Weathers of The Weathers Group, PMT aligns with the initial phase of forming. Learning how to improve sustainable service delivery was affirming. We explored how values, roles, expectations and responsibilities connect. PMT looks forward to the opportunity to work with more individuals and intentionally connect with them to improve their health & wellness in the Carolinas. Thanks for participating this morning. Reminder to please fill out the course evaluation form during the conference.
We hope this resource page will be helpful for your school year! Let us know if you have further questions or feedback!
PMT's Executive Director joined the cohort for the Non-Profit Management Certificate Program. This blog post is the first of nine with reflections on attending the monthly training through the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The first class I attended was inspiring! There were over 40 individuals attending from local organizations across the Palmetto State. It was wonderful to learn more about offerings for community members of varying ages and needs! This picture on the grounds of the training site was meaningful. The evolution of PMT's 10 history is amazing. PMT started as a "pop-up" mobile service provider that was a "for-profit". Today, PMT is a team of 5 employees, one intern, and many volunteers. PMT is still conveniently mobile, but also has two stationary locations. Staff overcame much education and advocacy within greater Charlotte in order to methodically introduce ourselves as a private practice and inclusive studio. This leadership training is appealing as PMT is new to the non-for profit sector. One of PMT's main learning objectives is to improve communication. Specifically, we want to improve communication with stakeholders in order that we can best convey the impact of music therapy in our community. Though the nine-month course is not a brief journey, it is a necessary training that is conveniently located in our backyard. Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost It can feel daunting as PMT has shifted to a non-profit structure. However, this certificate program will inform PMT of resources and connections to smooth this transition. The countless clients, caregivers and organizations that we have served, fuels this long journey. Potential clients whom we could share services with in the future through donation or grant funded opportunities is also fueling our energies! Thank you for supporting PMT's growth and evolution. If you have questions or ideas on our new path, please share in the comment section below: Written by: Gretchen Benner
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PMTProviding music therapy services for early childhood to older adults, music instruction and enrichment plus continuing music therapy education in Greater Charlotte Area of the Carolinas. Archives
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