Blogs

Heart Strings Update

August 27, 2020

Friends & Families of Heart Strings,

We want to thank you so much for bearing with us as we move into uncharted territory and figure out what our new operations look like. We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe!

With all things considered, your safety, and especially the safety of our most vulnerable, immunocompromised clients is our number one priority which is why we have crafted a strategic plan and safety protocol to try and keep everyone as safe as possible during in-person sessions.

Best of the Upstate 2019 Finalist

July 13, 2019

Wow! All I can say is wow! Holy Moly! Goodness Gracious…. We cannot believe the honor of being a finalist in this year’s Best of the Upstate in Best Musical Instruction! That means that Heart Strings Music Therapy Services, LLC was one of TWO finalists. We were up against the best facility for musical instruction in the Upstate. We want to wish a huge congratulations to Pecknel Music Company for winning Best Musical Instruction!

Music Therapy and Books! Singable Song Stories

May 28, 2019

The cow said neigh and the pig said oink? Yup, you read that correctly. The cat did say hello and the farmer said moo but have you ever seen a bear combing his hair or a whale with a polka dotted tail down by the bay? I sure have!

I love using books or song books in music therapy sessions. Books such as “The Cow Said Neigh” by Rory Feek and “Down by the Bay” by Raffi can be used to work on so many more skills than just reading. They can be used to treat several goals that include visual stimulation, attention, socialization, creativity, expressive communication and language, distress tolerance, and memory recall. Of course, just like the music used in sessions, books are client preferred and age appropriate. Lots of books can be used in many different ways and for a variety of clients. For example, I might use the book “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See” by Bill Martin Jr. with a three year old client to work on animal and color identification, animal sounds, attention to task, and following directions. I could also use the same book with a 8-11 year old client to address expressive communication, distress tolerance and creativity by writing our own version of the book. Pink flamingo, pink flamingo, what do you see? Fun, right?

Becoming a Music Therapist, MT-BC

October 30, 2018

Music Therapists are certified to work with people of all ages with various disabilities. A Career in Music Therapy offers challenge, opportunity, and remarkable rewards but it is not an easy, breezy path to Board Certification. It takes years of education and training, clinical hours, an intensive internship, board exams, and a career of learning to become an MT.

Some believe that it takes a “special person” to be a therapist and I believe that to be true. There are several personal qualifications that a music therapist must possess in order to be healthcare professional. Personal qualifications of a Music Therapist include a genuine interest in people and a desire to help others reach their fullest potential. The essence of music therapy practice involves establishing caring and professional relationships with people of all ages and abilities. As well as proficient musical skills and a love of music, an MT must also exhibit empathy, patience, creativity, imagination, flexibility, an openness to new ideas, an understanding of oneself, and a drive to complete educational requirements and uphold the standards of the profession.

Top 10 Go-To Instruments for Music Therapy

October 11, 2018

From parents and clients to music therapy students and interns, I have been asked over and over again:

“Which instruments do you use the most and recommend I should have in my collection or at home?”

There’s a common misconception that a person must have some sort of musical background or training to receive music therapy services. I am here to tell you that is absolutely false. Whether someone grew up singing in church choirs or has had no musical experience whatsoever, music can still be a tool to help them reach their fullest potential. Almost everyone has had some experience with music. Just think about it, how did you learn the ABC’s? Probably a song, right? Most people also enjoy listening to some tunes while they drive, travel, exercise, or work.

The Difference in Music Therapy vs. Music Education

October 6, 2018

Although music therapy is an up-and-coming profession, some people still have trouble discerning the difference in music therapy and music education. I have been asked numerous times, “why should my child receive music therapy when they have a music class at school” or “my child already takes piano lessons so why would they need music therapy too?”

Well, the difference is clear when we take away the word music.

Therapy: Noun. The treatment of disease or disorders, as by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process (dictionary.com).