Category: Private Practice

Setting S.M.A.R.T. Music Therapy Goals

SMART goalsAs the new year begins, many people set about making resolutions.  On multiple instances, I’ve heard reference to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals.    That is, goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.  Not only is this a great way of thinking about resolution goals, but this is an effective technique for setting music therapy goals.

Specific
When drafting music therapy goals, music therapists usually start with a general goal area, but have very specific objectives.  For example, a goal may be to improve communication and an objective for that goal is that the client will respond to yes or no questions.

Measurable
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice, meaning we use data to support effective techniques.  Therefore, it is important that we are able to collect objective data to determine whether or not a goal has been achieved.  To determine if a goal is measurable, we consider whether it answers the questions of “How many?”, “How much?”, “How long?”, and/or “How will I know it is accomplished?”  In regards to the previous example, the music therapist may choose to measure the number of times the client responds to a yes or no question, whether or not prompts are given in order for the client to complete the objective, how many prompts are needed, what types of prompts are given, etc.

Attainable & Realistic
I fully believe in maintaining high expectations for my clients and placing absolutely no limitations on what they may achieve.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing a client exceed my original goals for him or her!  At the same time, it is important to structure a treatment plan with which he or she can be successful.  Returning to my example of responding to yes or no questions, it is possible that this could be a goal for quite a few different clients with a wide variety of strengths and deficits.  However, while I may be looking for an unprompted verbal response from one client, that same objective may be successfully achieved by another client through a physically prompted response using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device.

Timely
With every treatment plan, it is imperative that there is a specified date for achieving the goal and/or reviewing progress towards the goal.  By specifying a deadline, there is an added aspect of accountability and a determined point for evaluating whether the current treatment is acceptable or if treatment objectives need to be reconsidered.  Most of my clients are in special education and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in place; by law, IEPs must be reviewed annually.  However, it is possible that a music therapy goal may need to be reviewed semi-annually, quarterly, and occasionally even monthly if the client is quickly progressing or regressing.

 

Have you set any S.M.A.R.T. goals for yourself this year?  Leave a comment below to tell us about your plan for a successful 2013!

 

Family Planning as an MTBO

MotherhoodBefore any rumors start, NO, I am not pregnant!  Rather, this topic choice was inspired by an article on Forbes Woman today, entitled Pregnant? You’re Fired!: Pregnancy Not a Legitimate Obstacle to Success.

Music therapy is a female-dominated profession.  In the 2011 Statistical Profile of the AMTA Membership, 90% of the respondents were female (1,492 females, 169 males).  Consequentially, family planning and pregnancy will be issues that the majority of music therapists will face.  However, this was an issue that was never discussed during my music therapy training.  Especially as an MTBO (that’s Music Therapy Business Owner), how do we navigate family life while maintaining our professional life?

I have seen colleagues adopt a few different approaches.  I know some have subcontracted for maternity leave.  On the one hand, services continue for your clients, but some populations adjust to a change in service provider better than others.  Clients with autism may have a particularly hard time with this transition.  I worked with a student who started violently acting out a month before his classroom teacher went on maternity leave, because he was so anxious about the change.

Other MTBOs have set their clinical schedules around the birth of their child.  This seems easier to do if your baby arrives towards the end of the school year/beginning of the summer, but what about a January baby?  Especially if you contract within schools, it may be hard to negotiate a leave in the middle of the year.

MTBOs – I would like your input.  What options have worked for you?  How do you maintain a balance between family life and your business?  (Dads, we want to hear your side, as well!)

 

I’ve Got the Gas-is-Ridiculously-Expensive Blues

 Since the assassination of Osama Bin Laden on May 2nd, our gas prices in mid-Michigan have steadily – and very thankfully – declined from their peak at $4.17 at the end of April.  Today, that trend was very drastically reversed, as we jumped from around $3.63-$3.70 per gallon to $4.19. Yes, gas jumped 50 cents in one day for no apparent reason.  What other industry can raise it’s price 13.5% in one day without warning?  I know if service providers tried that they would not be in business for very long!



I snapped this picture back in April when I
thought/hoped prices had reached their peak.



When gas prices first hit $4.17 back in April, I used Twitter to ask other traveling music therapy colleagues how their businesses were coping with the high gas prices.  All the responses I received involved having to elicit a rate increase for out-of-town travel.  Alas, I too recently made the decision to adjust my mileage fees for this next contract cycle.

Another option I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately was inspired by a blog post by music therapist Kat Fulton called Using Skype for Music Therapy and Drum Circles: Is This The Future? Telecommuting is quickly becoming a norm in our society.  Could we, should we, provide therapy via Skype or another method of telecommunication?  On the plus side, this would help with travel concerns and help therapists access clients at a distance, but – on the down side – how would this alter interactions, the development of therapeutic relationships, and maintaining confidentiality?

Do you have other suggestions or methods for combating the rising costs of travel?  What are your thoughts on using telecommunication for therapy?  

How CODA MTS Came to Be

This post was inspired by music therapist & blogger, Rachel Rambach’s post I Graduated…Now What?  In her post, she tells how she handled transitioning from her internship into a professional position by utilizing networking.  She also wrote, “Music therapists sometimes have to create their own jobs.”  This was the case for me, so I thought it would be worthwhile to share the story of how CODA Music Therapy Services, LLC came to be.

I completed my music therapy internship at the UIC Medical Center at the end of September 2006.  I had certifications in both music therapy and music education, but – ideally – I wanted to return to my loved ones in Michigan and there were no suitable positions to be had.  So, I headed home, worked as a substitute teacher, and began sending out letters and e-mails to area Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) introducing myself, explaining music therapy, and proposing the implementation of music therapy services and/or adapted music education within their district.

Some districts replied that they already had music, some replied that they were not interested at this time, but, in December 2006, I got a reply from Ingham ISD wanting more information.  I arranged a meeting with the principal at Heartwood School, Marcia O’Brien.  She explained that they had been approached about music therapy in the past, but the special education directors had always turned it aside.  However, when my e-mail showed up, she was given the ‘go ahead’ to get more information.

In January 2007, I heard back from Marcia and found that her boss approved adding music therapy to the budget for the next school year (2007-08).  A month later – Valentine’s Day, to be exact – I got a phone call from Marcia saying that they had received a parent request to have music therapy added to her child’s IEP (IEP = Individualized Education Plan) and they would like to have me provide these services.

In March 2007, I started off providing 1/2 hour of music therapy two times per week for one student as a “temporary employee”.  By the summer, I was offered a contracted position for the 2007-08 school year to service all thirteen (now fifteen!) classrooms with a combined music therapy and adapted music education program.  Success!

I worked closely with both Marcia and a human resources representative to develop my first contract.  The school was very concerned that my position meet the IRS criteria for a contracted position.  We determined that it would be most appropriate for me to establish my own company and for the school to contract with the company.

In July 2007, CODA Music Therapy Services, LLC became official.  For personal liability protection and my intentions to expand, I decided an LLC would suit my situation better than a sole proprietorship.  In the three and a half years since, our contract with Ingham ISD has grown, we have expanded to include contracts with other schools, contracts with hospitals, private pay clients, and – just this January – an inclusive early childhood music & movement program.  This is an exciting time for CODA MTS, as we look forward to the coming year and continue to expand our services throughout Michigan. 

CODA Music Therapy Services, LLC: Providing Creative Opportunities for Developing Abilities since 2007.