We Are Better TOGETHER

For the 7 years that I have been a music therapist, something that has irked me like non other is the fact that many music therapists are siloed. The sad truth that music therapists are isolated in the work we do is disheartening, especially for a new music therapist to realize. I’ve had to face this over and over again as I trudged along through the snow or rain, guitar on my back and heavy instrument bag on my arm, learning what It means to be part of the field of music therapy. Unfortunately, I had to face the reality that music therapists have a hard time supporting other music therapists.

We get our MT-BC and [hopefully] land a job or start a business, not knowing what turbulent waters lie ahead. We take a step into the waters and become aware very quickly that this job, rather this profession, is not quite what we expected it to be. School was a safe haven of support, peers, and continual learning. The professional world feels like a lonely, rocky road of constant questioning, wondering, and fighting. Am I doing this right? Is there a better job out there for me? Is there an easier way to start a business? I NEED SUPPORT! Do I really have to pay for supervision?

Okay, this might not be you, but it definitely was me. Every single year I have been a music therapist, I have questioned if I should still stay in the field. And yes, you may suggest that I leave. But to be honest, I still feel a pull to be part of this profession, help us take steps forward, and be a support to vulnerable people around me with music. There’s nothing like the interactions, progress, connections, and meaningful moments created through music.

Okay, so let me tell you about a few things I have seen that have left a sour taste in my mind when it comes to music therapists supporting one another. I have been part of several music therapy contract-based companies where there is little-to-no supervision. These companies often hire new music therapists, mind you, the group of us who need supervision maybe the most (thus, leading new music therapists to burn out so quickly - I’ll save this for another day). I have seen so little communication among music therapists in a geographical region where no one knows who is working where or what organizations, schools, hospitals, etc. even have music therapists. I have seen music therapists bad-mouth, judge, and slander other music therapists on the regular 😞. And worst of all, I have seen contracts taken from other music therapy contractors behind their backs (isn’t this an ethical violation?). These things are not okay.

Without being too down about our beautiful and thriving field, I’ve also seen some very supportive groups of music therapists. I’ve seen music therapists who reach out when they need support, have questions, or want to offer encouragement. There is the good in the world where music therapists gather for peer support and help each other take steps in their businesses. I’ve witnessed and experienced music therapists coming together to help one another find or create a job, ask for higher pay and band together in advocating for their clients. I want to see more of this.

I truly believe that as music therapists, we are better TOGETHER. We are stronger, more supported, resilient, and even more professional when we unite rather than divide. I know many music therapists are fearful about their jobs (rightly so) and want to be secretive or protective because of this. I have seen music therapists keep their work, their contracts, their dreams behind locked doors in fear that someone will swoop in there and steal their clients, ideas, or contracts (because this has happened!). How sad.

How sad is it that we feel paralyzed in taking a step in the good work we do as music therapists in fear that our reputation is going to be slandered by another music therapist. How sad is it that we are afraid to make the business move because we think someone else is going to do the same thing. Friends, I am writing this here for me, too, because I often feel the strong, ugly pull of comparison.

BUT, we are better together. When we come together with our forces of good, amazing things happen. When we talk with each other about our ideas, we inspire one another. When we gather to create more jobs, instead of stealing contracts, THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH WORK TO GO AROUND! Let me say that again, there is more than enough work to go around, even in a music therapy-driven city. There will never be a shortage of people needing help - because we all need help. We need to have the tricky conversations about money, business, ownership, etc. and continue working through our differences. Let’s set aside passive aggression and have meaningful conversations with each other. Let’s band together to create more jobs and increase the rate of pay, instead of lowering our prices to get the most (and cheapest) work. We ALL need to stand up for what is right. We all need to support one another. That’s the only way this works - if we come together.

We are stronger together.

And we are better together.

I dare you to prove me wrong.