Tips I’ve Learned During My First Month as a Music Therapy Intern, Expressed in Song Titles

By: GABRIELLE JONES

Music Therapy Intern 

Image Caption: Me, on my very first day of internship, excited and energized.
Image Description:Female with long, straight year displaying an elated smile while holding up right hand showing "thumbs up!"

• "Jingle Jangle" by The Archies - Always triple check your shoulders for bags full of materials and instruments you need for a session. The easiest thing to do is to listen and see if you’re jingling.
• “Write It Down” by Banner Pilot  - Clients and groups and meetings will start running together. I’ve learned to use a journal to jot notes down immediately after sessions and meetings so I don’t forget what happened during the experiences I have each day.
• “Nobody’s Perfect” by Hannah Montana - We all make mistakes, especially when we’re beginning something new and scary. I’ve learned to brush things off and remember that I’m never alone when I mess something up.
• “Asleep” by The Smiths - Sleep is important. Don’t sacrifice it. 
• “Relax” by The Vacations - A stressed out therapist is unable to provide the best treatment for the people they serve. We must remember to practice self-care and not allow ourselves to become overworked. The start of something new can be stressful and overwhelming. I’ve learned to do things that help relax me, even during the small breaks of my day, so that I stay centered and focused. 
• "You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray - The world around us is going to keep moving. Music therapy is fast paced, especially in private practice. I’ve learned to simply move with the excitement, recognizing that there is a common drive within me and my colleagues to make a difference and connect everyone around us (our clients, our families, our fellow mental health providers) to the rhythm of life. We all have an inner beat that can’t be stopped; we are all made of music. ​​