I have a feeling that Michelle Forinash is not the only one who gets that "old familiar feeling" of discomfort when it comes to communicating about music therapy. While I do not yet have quite the same problem that Forinash does in talking about research, I do understand her frustration. I am on the verge of completing my music therapy education, and despite many attempts at explanations, I do not think my parents, much less most of my friends, completely understand what I am studying.
I imagine that most, if not all, music therapists have some degree of difficulty when it comes to explaining to others exactly what they do. I think the problem is that music therapy is a field that cannot be narrowed down to a short definition. While one can explain to others what he or she does in an attempt to define music therapy, sometimes people do not want an explanation because they do not care that much, or they lose interest. I have had this experience before. There have been occasions when others ask me what music therapy is. I reply with a broad definition, and then give examples of how that works in specific populations. Sometimes this works. At other times I can tell that the person I am talking to has either misunderstood me or does not care. I can imagine the frustration that would result when music therapists misunderstand each other when trying to share ideas about music therapy.
Being able to clearly communicate about music therapy is crucial if the field is to grow. Obviously, there is a gap in understanding that needs to be bridged. While it is important that music therapists learn how to communicate what they do, it is also important that those people who don't know about music therapy be patient in trying to grasp the concept of music therapy. Music therapists could help bridge the gap by trying to make their work more visible outside of the world of music therapy. One example of this is contacting the local news networks to get information out about music therapy. Not very long ago, one of the news stations reported on a music therapy program and music library that began at one of the local hospitals. It was informative and helped to spread the word about music therapy. It was also very beneficial for me-it allowed my parents and friends to understand more of what I was doing.
Despite explanations and demonstrations of music therapy, there will still be people who still do not quite understand why music therapy is so beneficial. As for these people, it is probably better to spend your time on more important things, like planning sessions or presentations. Sometimes explanations are not enough for people to understand. Perhaps they will learn firsthand later on about the positive effects of music therapy, and then understand. Sometimes people only learn by experience.
While I do not have any suggestions or solutions to Michelle's problem or my problem, I know one thing we can all do: just keep trying. Sometimes the best way to learn is to learn from our mistakes. When one explanation does not work, make note of it and try something new the next time. Eventually someone will find an answer.
I have a feeling that Michelle Forinash is not the only one who gets that "old familiar feeling" of discomfort when it comes to communicating about music therapy. While I do not yet have quite the same problem that Forinash does in talking about research, I do understand her frustration. I am on the verge of completing my music therapy education, and despite many attempts at explanations, I do not think my parents, much less most of my friends, completely understand what I am studying.
I imagine that most, if not all, music therapists have some degree of difficulty when it comes to explaining to others exactly what they do. I think the problem is that music therapy is a field that cannot be narrowed down to a short definition. While one can explain to others what he or she does in an attempt to define music therapy, sometimes people do not want an explanation because they do not care that much, or they lose interest. I have had this experience before. There have been occasions when others ask me what music therapy is. I reply with a broad definition, and then give examples of how that works in specific populations. Sometimes this works. At other times I can tell that the person I am talking to has either misunderstood me or does not care. I can imagine the frustration that would result when music therapists misunderstand each other when trying to share ideas about music therapy.
Being able to clearly communicate about music therapy is crucial if the field is to grow. Obviously, there is a gap in understanding that needs to be bridged. While it is important that music therapists learn how to communicate what they do, it is also important that those people who don't know about music therapy be patient in trying to grasp the concept of music therapy. Music therapists could help bridge the gap by trying to make their work more visible outside of the world of music therapy. One example of this is contacting the local news networks to get information out about music therapy. Not very long ago, one of the news stations reported on a music therapy program and music library that began at one of the local hospitals. It was informative and helped to spread the word about music therapy. It was also very beneficial for me-it allowed my parents and friends to understand more of what I was doing.
Despite explanations and demonstrations of music therapy, there will still be people who still do not quite understand why music therapy is so beneficial. As for these people, it is probably better to spend your time on more important things, like planning sessions or presentations. Sometimes explanations are not enough for people to understand. Perhaps they will learn firsthand later on about the positive effects of music therapy, and then understand. Sometimes people only learn by experience.
While I do not have any suggestions or solutions to Michelle's problem or my problem, I know one thing we can all do: just keep trying. Sometimes the best way to learn is to learn from our mistakes. When one explanation does not work, make note of it and try something new the next time. Eventually someone will find an answer.