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Private Practice Blog, started in 2013

PIEDMONT MUSIC THERAPY, LLC

Written by music therapists - board certified.

​Interested in a topic we have not yet covered? Please let us know.

Working in July

7/27/2022

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About the Guest Author

Yenchun, the volunteer likes to drink black coffee during day and night. The drink is an essential... black coffee was enjoyed while writing this post! ... drinking black coffee makes the author energetic during hard work and also could be a comfort zone after a hustle day. 


​Greeting in July!
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​Here is a July calendar from Piedmont Music Therapy (PMT) clinic. The music therapists at PMT are working hard to provide music therapy treatment to individual(s) who in need in the community. The services include traditional music lessons, adapted music lessons as well as music therapy sessions customized for individuals’ selective goals for participation. Our music therapists on staff are serving three different locations including a main clinic in Charlotte, community space in Rock Hill, and mobile locations as well (check out the calendar with paired colors). PMT Main is by appointment only and also available for community events!!! 
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​The following link is the social media channels on Instagram and Facebook. They share spotlights of our work. In addition, PMT is a CBMT Approved Provider for board certified music therapists to receive credits for their continuing education & renewal certification. Those are either in-person, hybrid or asynchronous. PMT did not color-code the additional educational opportunities into the calendar, but maybe in the future calendar.
        There are many other music therapists in Charlotte, North Carolina beyond the staff at PMT. In Music Therapy Association of North Carolina (MTANC), visit finding music therapist page,which is helpful for contacting other music therapists. Potential clients are also encouraged to access The Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) directory to ensure the music therapist currently maintains their certification. In summary, this profession is increasingly growing. Just like building a village in the community, a lot of our work is advocacy and education! 
Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its Virtue.
- Plato
​Last but not least, in June, there was an annual event called the Music Therapy Hill Day. It was a great time for advocating music therapy professions and networking with elected officials. What PMT learned was that the more advocates about music therapy the more chances to get recognition in our community. The goal of writing this post is to further advocate for the evidence-based use of music to support a person’s health and wellness. Finally, PMT appreciates and is grateful for this space – please share this blog with other readers or comment below about questions you may have for music therapy service.


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Strolling Summer Days

6/30/2022

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 Cheers to summer! We are ecstatic at the return of more in-person summer camps. There are added safety precautions, larger instrument inventory and advanced planning which are worth it to ensure that group based music therapy sessions are a safe  experience in Charlotte, NC. 

Below are the 4 summer camps that we're participating in with 3 of them mobile based:

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via GIPHY


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9th Anniversary

4/5/2022

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Picture"We are on cloud 9 thanks to you!" PMT Logo in top corner with clouds and decorative polka dot images framing the infographic. "Screen printing by Imago 658 - Charlotte, NC
Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC is grateful to celebrate its ninth anniversary of making music with individuals of all ages and abilities in greater Charlotte. 


Staff's work days are spent all around town, from York County in SC (learning and growing with preschoolers in a special needs classroom at St. John's United Methodist Church Preschool (Fun Fact: this was PMT's first community partner) up Interstate -77 to sites in Mecklenburg County of NC.

We could not do our work without accessible and welcoming clinic spaces provided through Rogers Memorial Church of Rock Hill, SC and rented from Stuart Partners, Inc. in Charlotte, NC.

Your support on social media, offering musical instruments and advocating for creative & expressive arts offerings are greatly appreciated.

Here are some special ways that we are recognizing our 9th anniversary as a woman owned, small business this month:

  1. Welcoming clients and students at our main location with a whimsical display crafted by staff, Ashley & Gabby! PMT is by Appointment Only; however, you can see the decor from the parking lot!
  2. Giving away limited edition shirts screen printed at Imago 658 to current clients, students and community partner contacts.
  3. Asking visitors to contribute to a creative collage of sticky notes with the prompt: "What does music mean to you?" at PMT Main.
  4. Offering appointments at PMT Main to tour the private practice & studio space, plus discuss any questions you may have: limited times on Tuesday, 4/26/22 and Thursday, 4/28/22.
  5. Sharing promotional magnets at our practice locations and upcoming events in Charlotte (Foster Village of Charlotte's Spring Village Family Gathering - April 23, 2022 and PMT's Spring Recital - May 14, 2022).

It has been another year of amazing songs and stories. Thank you for supporting our work in the community. 

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2021 In Review

3/15/2022

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Image Description (ID) 1: A half blue half green background with a laptop screen displaying PMT’s eighth note logo. Writing above and below the laptop reads Piedmont Music Therapy 2021 Wrapped. 

ID 2: Blue background with white piano keys, music notes, and a hand holding a heart. In the middle are three circles. Above the circles reads "Total served." Circle one states "Individual MT Sessions: 920", Circle two states "Group MT Sessions: 455", and Circle three reads "Music Lessons: 1,136."

ID 3: Blue background with a picture of a laptop, green music notes, and two circles. Circle one states "Virtual MT Sessions: 164", Circle two states "In-Person MT Sessions: 1,211."

ID 4: Blue background with green lettering lists "Communities Served: NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, St. John’s United Methodist Church, Charlotte Rescue Mission Dove’s Nest, Magnolia Minds Matter Memory Care, Phillips Academy, InReach, Manus Academy, Camp Blue Skies, Autism After 18, Camp Trusted Parents, Epiphany School of Charlotte." Green Circle at the bottom of the picture states: "35 individual children and 7 individual adults at our clinic."
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Camps Return This Summer!

2/11/2022

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We are so excited to offer 5 different camps at our new location in 2022! 


They vary based upon focus through a music therapy framework or music education emphasis.

Pending weather, we'll spend some of the time having fun outside together - please bring a water bottle! 

The cost ranges based upon length of camp (4 or 5 days in length, 1 - 2 hours) and number of staff needed to facilitate.

Here's a flier detailing the choices with children and teens in mind. Let us know if you have any questions about this summer's camp options!

2022_pmt_summer_camp_flier.pdf
File Size: 620 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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A Bird Set Free

12/31/2021

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Written by Matrisha Stafford, MT Intern

WOW! SIX. WHOLE. MONTHS. I am so grateful for this moment. To finally say I am only a couple weeks away from finishing my internship is one of the greatest blessings and moments for me to date in life. I am so humbled and grateful to the team at Piedmont for helping me grow and thrive as a new music therapy candidate. As things come to a close here, I have been able to reflect on how much music has been such a big part of the last six months for me. I have used it daily, have gotten stronger as a singer and instrumentalist, acquired new skills on new instruments, and grown so much personally and professionally. Having the music as the focus in both areas really strengthened me and allowed me to push myself to new levels. For my final contribution to the blog, I would like to share a playlist of songs that have pushed me through this time as an intern. There are songs that evoke emotions, songs to dance to, songs I used in sessions and songs that reflect on how thankful I was through all this and still remain. I look forward to all the things that 2022 has to offer, and I appreciate the community around PMT for allowing me to make my mark on this place and your families. Please enjoy my playlist, and comment below a few song selections that pump you up, or get you in the spirit of achieving and overcoming!

Happy Holidays!








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The 10 Most Significant Songs Used Throughout Internship Compilation

12/10/2021

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Gabby Jones

As I near the end of my internship, I decided to take some time to consider the most significant songs and create a fun medley. Whether these songs are simply songs I sang all the time, songs that helped create beautiful moments, or songs that were about connection between myself and clients or staff members, they all had some impact on my internship journey. They are listed below:

  1. You Are My Sunshine
  2. Get Back Up Again by Anna Kendrick
  3. Baby Shark
  4. Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In
  5. Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
  6. I’m Still Standing by Elton John
  7. Moon River by Audrey Hepburn
  8. Rise Up by Andra Day
  9. Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day
  10. Happy Trails by Roy Rogers

And, because I am a musician, who very much enjoys singing and playing, here is a compilation of them all:
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If you are a music therapist or music therapist to be, take a moment to reflect on the most impactful songs used in your day-to-day sessions. If you are not a music therapist, reflect on impactful songs in your life!

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Happy Holidays

12/3/2021

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Written by: Matrisha Stafford, MT Intern
PictureEvening scene of lit snowman figuring on a building's snowy yard.
As the holiday season is officially upon us, what better way to celebrate than with a playlist of some very classic, and possibly new, songs to jam to and really ramp up the holiday Spirit! Not to worry if traditional holiday music isn’t your thing, please enjoy a smooth jazz and relaxation playlist. As the Holiday playlist gets you into the spirit, let the jazz playlist remind you that during this season where we are busy visiting family and friends, staying up late to wrap gifts for loved ones, or even cooking our last minute dishes for holiday meals, we must always remember to take time to slow down, check in with ourselves, breathe, and relax. We hope this time is full of laughter, rest and rejuvenation, and a lot of yummy meals! 

Click here for some Holiday Classics!
Click here to relax with some classic Jazz and Blues!
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Balancing Mental Well-Being With Hard Work

11/16/2021

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By: Gabby Jones, Music Therapy Intern
PictureID: A gold journal with a blue pen resting on top next to a white hydroflask water bottle and a red apple, all sitting on a wooden ledge surrounded by trees.
As I’m nearing the end of my internship, I’ve reflected a lot on how far I have come. It wasn’t a straight or smooth path, nor was it all downhill. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a therapist and a musician, but also as an individual navigating the end of my time as a student, and the beginning of my journey as a professional. In the last several months, I’ve come to realize the ways in which I work best, and also the ways in which I recharge best. As someone who is passionate about preventative self-care and mental well-being, I want to acknowledge the importance of rest in the midst of hard work. Here are the ways in which I have learned to take care of myself, despite working the hardest I’ve ever worked:

  1. 1. Don’t sacrifice sleep.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night. If I’m tired, I lack motivation to do work. I’m also more susceptible to getting sick, being irritable, or forgetting to meet a deadline. No matter how much work I have on my plate, I go to bed early enough that I can sleep 8 hours and wake up ready to be productive. Here are 10 benefits of a good night’s sleep.


     2.   Eat healthy. 
Although quick and easy junk-food meals often sound the most desirable, I recognize how important it is to fuel my body with good food for my brain. I eat meals with enough protein to keep me going, as well as carbs that immediately kick in and help me refuel faster. Although I often treat myself with a piece of candy or a starbucks, I make sure to balance it out with food that won’t let me crash when the extra sugar wears off. It’s about balance! Here is more info on the effect that various healthy foods have on your memory and overall brain functioning. 

       3.  Similarly, drink water!
Water is known to increase energy levels and help with concentration. Therefore, the more water you drink, the more productive you can likely be. We are supposed to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. However, water intake also depends on how much you’re using your body AND brain. I’ve realized that I thrive on about 3 refills of my hydroflask - that’s 94 ounces of water per day. The more water, the better! Here is more info on the benefits of drinking water.

        4.   Set personal work boundaries.
In the professional world, there is pretty much ALWAYS something that needs to be done. I’ve learned that my to-do list in my planner is never empty, and probably never will be. However, I work hard to make sure that I am allowing myself to rest at the end of the day and on weekends. I set deadlines for myself, of course, but I also make sure that if I’m feeling drained at the end of a long day, I step away from my emails and revisit them in the morning. Overworking leads to burnout.

          5.   Do things you like to do.
After a long week of hard work, I often treat myself on the weekend. I read a new book, watch a few episodes of a show I’ve been wanting to watch, go hiking with my family, or go out with friends. I remind myself that although work is important and a huge part of my life, it is not my entire life. I am rightfully entitled to spend time doing things that help me feel like myself during the time I have off on the weekends. Similarly to the previous point about setting boundaries, I make sure that even if I have a long week ahead of me, I take the time to nurture my mental well-being by having fun and relaxing, at least for a few hours on Saturdays and Sundays so that I can go to work on Monday in the healthiest headspace possible. 

In conclusion, I’ve learned how important it is to take preventative measures to ensure a healthy mind and body while balancing a busy work life. Similarly to the points listed above, I also like to journal, exercise, and spend time meditating or praying. 

What are some measures you take to properly balance work and personal life? If you feel that you don’t take care of your mental health related to your work life as much as you’d like to, what are some things you’d like to try?


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Listening For Change

11/8/2021

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By: Matrisha Stafford, Music Therapy Intern
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As an Intern, or maybe as a Therapist in general, our typical aim of treatment is to move closer to our clients goals. In my continued learning and practice towards becoming a professional music therapist I have encountered a lot of various things as I have planned and executed treatment for clients over the years, however I have never encountered such consistently challenging sessions with clients during that time. My internship has presented me with several opportunities to be apart of treatment plans that have challenged me in many new ways. Allow me to tell you a story about what it means to me to closely look for changes in my clients. 
I always try to look for ways to connect musically and verbally with clients. In this case though, it seemed like the more I tried to engage them the less interested, distracted, and negative attention seeking they became. When I noticed this I began pulling from my MT toolkit and thinking in my head, “whatever it takes to get through to them, that’s what we will do.” Week after week though, it inwardly felt like minimal progress connecting was happening and we instead came away with more and more lessons on what wasn’t working.  It was only after being posed with the question, “have you asked what they want?” I realized I had been looking for change without listening to what my client was telling me. No matter verbally or nonverbally through their behavior, I had never taken into account what they may be trying to express to me. Very determined to make progress, I took this realization with me into our next time together, consistently asking them throughout that time, “what do you what?'' offering choices, and listening to and watching for their verbal and non verbal communication. During that time I saw a more engaged and regulated client in front of me who offered me insight into their feelings, and their willingness to participate in various activities. They were able to better communicate their desires for music making, and also communicated when they were finished, making that time together the best moments we have had so far in treatment. 
That short reflection has so many key details and learning points for all of us as we continue upholding our responsibilities to our clients to be the best therapist we can be to them. Remember to listen, remembering to allow for opportunities where your clients can express their autonomy, and knowing when to push, and when to yield to what the client may be showing you or telling you. As Music Therapists we should always be looking for how the music can be used to foster change, encourage vulnerability, and create an environment where clients can flourish. Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in wanting the change that we can forget that what we do is both giving and taking between the client and ourselves. This particular client has taught me so much already, but the lesson of persistence, of patience, and really looking at what clients are trying to tell us is the best way to listen and be in tune with them so that the change we are looking for can occur. For more helpful information on how to communicate with and assist in nurturing thoughtful and autonomous people, check out Dr. Becky over at Good Inside.

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    PMT, LLC

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What Our Clients Are Saying

"We appreciate all you do for our participants and look forward to working with you in 2022! You are awesome!
~Susan Bill, Exec. Director of Minds Matter

​"Thank you so much for the work you do year round! You spread so much joy throughout our facility!"
~ Staff Member 

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~Daughter of an Adult Client receiving music therapy


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