We’re thrilled to offer you a glimpse into how our Mainstay team gets ready for music therapy sessions with clients. We’ve noticed that each therapist has their own special approach, often tailored to individual clients. Our aim is that by sharing our experiences, we can validate yours and spark some fresh ideas for you! We’re eager to hear about your process too – drop us a comment below! 🎶
“My mind often sparks ideas during sessions or from things said by clients, leading to inspiration for next week’s preparation. For instance, last week, I facilitated a rhythm stick movement activity with a client who struggles with decision-making and self-image issues. She particularly enjoyed the dancing element, especially when it involved her favorite artist, Beyoncé. This experience prompted me to incorporate more dance and Beyoncé into her sessions this week, aiming to bolster her self-confidence and help her recognize her positive attributes consistently.”
“For session planning I do one of the following things:
1. Watch a video of a previous session and take notes on things that were particularly engaging/music motifs to bring back and how my own affect was during a session and where I can change it.
2. Journal right after a session to understand my feelings and thoughts about what just happened which normally leads to some kind of insight or idea about what to do next time.
3. Think about a client and read/listen to a journal article/book chapter/podcast related to them and use that as a jumping off point to create something more specific to the person I’m working with.
Also a good deal of my session planning comes out of supervision as I chart out the course of therapy with my supervisor.“
“Lately, my session prep blocks have consisted a lot of learning new songs requested by clients or discovering new music to bring to sessions for lyric analysis or general listening. When finding new songs, I consider the overall theme of the song, how the music relates to the lyrics of the song, what musical elements are prevalent and why this may be, specific lines that stand out. I always try to screen songs I bring ahead of time so I am aware of any potential client-specific triggers, and to just prepare myself for any conversation that may come with the song.”
“While I am creating new activities, there are a few things I keep in mind; what outcome am I looking for- WHY am I creating this activity? How accessible is this activity, how many steps will it have, or will it have none at all and be completely improvisational? Will the client be able to understand it? Is this activity something they will enjoy? I make sure I can both extend the activity to make it harder, and I can adapt the activity to make it easier.” I try to create activities that can be used for several people.”
“My session planning has become much less formal as I’ve continued to gain experience. I remember in internship and the first couple of weeks at Mainstay I would write down a potential full session plan just on a plain word document, usually with more than could fit into a session so that I could pick and choose if something would fit right.
Now, my session planning looks much more like just learning new things (songs, activities, etc.) to add to my arsenal in my brain and I go into sessions not having specific expectations but knowing all the things I have that I can offer depending on the client’s day. Even with a new individual client, I will usually go in and see what they gravitate towards most.”
“When thinking about sessions, it usually consists of considering appropriate interventions to offer throughout the sessions, and how that can be used to target their individual goals. It’s also important to me to consider what could go awry, like the client having an off day or not wanting to engage with my chosen intervention, and that’s where I primarily focus my mental load.
Recently, when I go to session prep, I will look at the notes I write for myself after sessions and work from there. For some, it requires me to transcribe a melody on the piano, for others, it requires printing off lyrics for lyric analysis. Session prep can look different for everyone!”
“I used to use a template divided by hello song, 3 interventions including some kind of movement, a back up plan and a goodbye song but every client is so different that I plan more in the moment, or beforehand when I have the time in the mornings and come up with ideas after the session when I reflect on what happened.”
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