Starting out so alone

As a new music therapist, I didn’t know what was normal and what wasn’t. When I say “normal” I mean what the average music therapist experiences on a regular basis.

Do other music therapists struggle with documentation?

Do other music therapists drive this much?

Do other music therapists know what to do in this scenario?

It hadn’t been that long since I learned how to do all this, and now I’m expected to figure it all out on my own? Does no one see the disconnect? It’s like this… school where you have professors guiding you, internship where your supervisors are helping you along, and then you’re thrown out to the infiniteness of the world to hopefully find a job and know what to do. Yes, we have the training, but where is our guide then? What if I can’t find a job? What do I need to know for a successful interview? What are the different job types and what should I write down on those random tax papers?

I can vividly remember wondering… “is this what it’s like?” when starting out. The only compass I was given was the Ideal Music Therapy Job outline, which is rarely reality. Very few music therapists complete internship, pass the certification exam on try 1, and then land a job within a couple weeks. And fewer still find jobs that are sustainable, supportive, and financially sound. Most of us are piecing together odd jobs and what we hope is music therapy work.

Do others feel this way?

Is it normal to burnout in your first year?

Are all music therapists as unfair as the one I work with?

Am I supposed to get professional supervision?

Why wasn’t I told about CBMT dues!

What’s the deal with CMTEs?

How much money should I be making?

How many swirling pieces are there for new professionals to make sense of without a guiding support system in place? I desperately hope this changes within the music therapy systems and structures, and I’m excited to be part of a change in the programs and jobs I am part of developing.

Alongside all of this, I am creating a safe space online to learn the things you don’t know that you don’t know. A space to air the frustrations and celebrations. A place to feel seen and heard, and not like you’re alone in all of this. I want us all to feel like we can keep going as music therapists if we truly want to.

Not Your Average Music Therapist is a podcast I started just about a year ago. Now, I am happy to introduce Not Your Average Music Therapist Community: for those of us who may feel a bit out of place.

Not Your Average Music Therapist Community is a safe space to share the highs and lows of being a certified music therapist and keep the podcast going. My hope is that you feel comfortable asking questions and sharing stories, reach your goals with music therapists cheering you on, create lasting friendships whether you stay in the profession or not, and find community along the way.

So when you ask the questions within your first however many years of being a music therapist, know that you’re not alone.