Dr. Laura Brown takes a brief break from teaching music therapy students at Western Illinois University for an AMTA-Pro Podcast interview about her research into the impact of music on emotional processing in the social interaction of children diagnosed with autism. This is the first step in a line of research that will inform music therapy practice for individuals with autism. Laura also talks about the role of research in clinical music therapy, the need for continuing to build on the research foundation in music therapy, and the exciting possibilities for the future of music therapy.
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Amy Smith, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Board Certified Music Therapist, works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. In this AMTA-Pro Podcast, Amy describes situations she encounters in her daily work and ways in which music therapy interventions impact the infants and their families during these critical days. For example, she discusses ways in which music can help parents connect with their little ones, normalize interactions, develop family rituals and familiar routines in the hectic hospital atmosphere, help their baby reach developmental milestones even when chronically ill, and celebrate in the midst of stress. Amy’s experience and insights are valuable to all music therapists, and a call for continued research and advances in clinical practice for music therapy with medically fragile infants.
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Music therapy took an unexpected turn in San Diego, CA when Dr. Barbara Reuer moved into town. In this AMTA-Pro podcast, Barb talks about innovative programs, the expansion of music therapy services in the community, the “business” of music therapy, and the thrill of training new therapists. She also shares some heartfelt stories about ways in which music and therapy have touched her life. The text segment of this AMTA-Pro podcast includes more information about Barb’s work as well as links to the websites of her music therapy programs.
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Debbie Dacus has viewed and experienced music therapy from several different angles. She has 25 years of clinical experience in various settings, including a multiple disability rehabilitation clinic, metroplex public schools, and her private clinic specializing in music therapy services for children diagnosed with autism and other disabilities. Debbie has published several books and coauthored several music therapy resources, and is currently preparing to teach at the university level. In her “spare” time, Debbie is a professional singer. In this AMTA-Pro podcast, Debbie shares compelling stories from her daily work and talks with AMTA-Pro host, Cathy Knoll, about lessons learned from her experiences in music and in music therapy over the years.
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In this AMTA-Pro podcast, Dr. Deforia Lane shares the compelling story of her career as a music therapist, a journey that actually began when she was in kindergarten. After a rather shaky and uncertain start during her college years, Deforia went on to develop new music therapy programs for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When she was diagnosed with cancer in the 1980’s, Deforia’s exposure to hospitals during treatment revealed the need for music therapy in the medical setting. She began volunteering, then, in 1984, started a program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center that continues to thrive and grow today. Tune in and be inspired.
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About a dozen music therapists gathered around the AMTA-Pro podcast microphone during the AMTA conference in Atlanta to talk about their work in the public schools in Fulton County, Georgia. The Fulton County music therapy program started in 1991 under the direction of Amber Weldon-Stephens, and continues to expand and to impact not only the lives of the students, but also teachers, classroom aids, therapists, families, and the community as a whole. Click to listen to this lively conversation, and check the text for information about the speakers, about the structure of the music therapy program in the Fulton County Schools, the website connection, and about other details of interest.
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The second in a 2-part series of AMTA-Pro podcasts about music therapy in neonatal ICU, this podcast features music therapists Lori Gooding, Darcy Walworth, and Jayne Standley. The experienced professionals discuss many aspects of current practice, the breadth of issues music therapists encounter in NICU, the broadening scope of services, the growing research agenda, and the eminent explosion in demand for music therapy services in NICU settings around the country. They also share excitement about research results and personal observations of the “miracle” of music in therapy as it impacts infants, parents, and medical staff.
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This AMTA-Pro podcast, the first of a 2-part series, features a lively conversation between three experienced professionals talking about their work as music therapists in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The podcast speakers – Jessy Rushing, Andrea Cevasco, and Olivia Swedberg Yinger – provide examples of the significant impact of music therapy on the infants in NICU as well as on the staff and parents. The panel talks about the types of services music therapists can provide, and exchanges ideas about some of the challenges and rewarding moments music therapy professionals may encounter in NICU settings. The discussion and clinical stories are of interest to music therapists, not matter their area of clinical expertise or experience.
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Three music therapists with experience in different aspects of hospice and palliative care gathered around the AMTA-Pro microphone to talk about the state-of-the-art of music therapy in this growing field. After each music therapist took time to describe their clinical work, the group members – Lauren DiMaio, Russell Hilliard, and Natalie Wlodarczyk – had a lively conversation about the exciting possibilities for expansion of music therapy in hospice and about the complex ethical dilemmas that often arise in care for people of all ages dealing with a wide variety of end-of-life issues. Each therapist also told heartwarming stories about music as therapy, touching patients, families, and staff in meaningful ways as individuals approach the end of life.
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This AMTA-Pro podcast features three music therapists – Donna Polen, Julie Andring, and Laurie Farnan – sharing compelling clinical stories and thoughtful insights based on decades of experience in music therapy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD.) Join these experienced professionals as they discuss different models of service delivery as well as challenges that arise as services and living arrangements evolve for this population. The clinical stories in this podcast vividly illustrate the importance of music therapy in the daily lives and long-term well-being of many adults and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Music therapist Judith Pinkerton and Nevada State Senator Moises Denis talk about the complex process and interesting journey they followed for obtaining state licensure for music therapists. Their discussion provides inspiration for music therapists working for licensure in other states as well as helpful tips for successfully moving legislation through the process. This AMTA-Pro podcast ends on a surprising and inspiring musical note. More information about the process, a short video of the surprising musical note, and a copy of the Senate Bill – SB 190 – along with other helpful information is included in the text section of the podcast.
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The American Music Therapy Association presented Kenneth E. Bruscia, PhD, MT-BC as The William W. Sears Distinguished Lecture Series Speaker at the annual AMTA conference in Atlanta, Georgia in November, 2011. Dr. Bruscia’s lecture, “Ways of Thinking in Music Therapy,” is an analysis of various ways of thinking about the respective roles of music, therapist, and client, and how these roles are configured in different models and styles of music therapy practice. Dr. Bruscia specifically addresses the implications of the question he posed during his lecture: Can we better serve our clients by moving from “one-way” thinking to more “integral” thinking? This AMTA-Pro podcast includes both the audio and video versions of Dr. Bruscia’s lecture as well as a detailed discussion outline. Keep in mind the hour-long video takes a bit of time to download. Please note that Dr. Bruscia’s final comments are not included in the audio and video segments because technical difficulties during the original recording in Atlanta cut the recordings short.
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