What is Cocalesa Music Therapy?
It's a dream really. A company I hope to own someday soon, but until then, it will live in my dreams. Cocalesa is a word special to me, made up by someone whose music, personality, and unconditional love has brought a lot of sunshine into my life.
Music therapy is not a made up word, however. Nor is it me plugging my headphones and using music to help me be more relaxed, motivated, or comforted. Nor is it the performance given at a senior care center. Nor is the volunteer musician playing in the halls and rooms of the hospital. (Nor is such a great word, isn't it?!)
Music therapy is an incredible profession I am grateful to be a part of. After completing a 4-year, accredited bachelor's program, followed by a 6-month full-time internship and a board certification exam, one is able to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist. The practice of music therapy can be defined as the use of music by a credentialed professional (as mentioned previously) in a therapeutic relationship with an individual or group of individuals, to address emotional, physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs.
Sounds all fancy, right? Basically, we use music to address non-musical goals. Our work is important and the therapeutic value is recognized. We conduct assessments to determine needs and keep documentation of progress made towards goals. We work in a variety of settings, including (but not limited to), schools, hospitals, in hospice care, assisted living, prisons, in mental health, clinics, etc.
Still sound confusing? Most people I encounter will ask, what does music therapy LOOK like? Well, it can look like a lot of things. We might engage in group drumming, sing with a patient, do hand-over-hand assistance with an individual who is physically disabled, write a song as a group, engage in movement supported by music, listen to music, etc.,etc.,etc. the possibilities are endless. It's not so much about what it LOOKS like, rather, HOW the music is being used to address the needs of our wonderful patients.
And this is just the beginning. More to come! Any questions in the meantime, be sure to check out musictherapy.org or contact me!
#mtadvocacymonth
It's a dream really. A company I hope to own someday soon, but until then, it will live in my dreams. Cocalesa is a word special to me, made up by someone whose music, personality, and unconditional love has brought a lot of sunshine into my life.
Music therapy is not a made up word, however. Nor is it me plugging my headphones and using music to help me be more relaxed, motivated, or comforted. Nor is it the performance given at a senior care center. Nor is the volunteer musician playing in the halls and rooms of the hospital. (Nor is such a great word, isn't it?!)
Music therapy is an incredible profession I am grateful to be a part of. After completing a 4-year, accredited bachelor's program, followed by a 6-month full-time internship and a board certification exam, one is able to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist. The practice of music therapy can be defined as the use of music by a credentialed professional (as mentioned previously) in a therapeutic relationship with an individual or group of individuals, to address emotional, physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs.
Sounds all fancy, right? Basically, we use music to address non-musical goals. Our work is important and the therapeutic value is recognized. We conduct assessments to determine needs and keep documentation of progress made towards goals. We work in a variety of settings, including (but not limited to), schools, hospitals, in hospice care, assisted living, prisons, in mental health, clinics, etc.
Still sound confusing? Most people I encounter will ask, what does music therapy LOOK like? Well, it can look like a lot of things. We might engage in group drumming, sing with a patient, do hand-over-hand assistance with an individual who is physically disabled, write a song as a group, engage in movement supported by music, listen to music, etc.,etc.,etc. the possibilities are endless. It's not so much about what it LOOKS like, rather, HOW the music is being used to address the needs of our wonderful patients.
And this is just the beginning. More to come! Any questions in the meantime, be sure to check out musictherapy.org or contact me!
#mtadvocacymonth
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