Resources For Music Therapists
You Are Not Alone
I was a new professional once, and it wasn’t easy.
Still now, 10 years into my career, I have challenges and obstacles, difficulties and frustrations. And I believe we ought to come together more. Music therapist, let’s join in a conversation about what we are experiencing and help each other through the difficult times. I hope to provide you with resources, guides, and a community where you feel supported as you care for others in your work as a music therapist.
Resources to support you
These resources are born out of my personal and professional needs. Each one holds a pivotal memory for me in my career as I navigated what decisions to make, how to care for myself, and taking the steps I needed for my ideal future. Some of these are geared specifically towards music therapists, but others are universal (such as Take Time Off Reference, Basic Business Spreadsheets, and Coaching). May you find what you need.
take time off reference
We know it’s important to take time off, right?! So, why don’t we? There are stories we tell and professional expectations we are trying to live up to. We have everyone in mind but ourselves, and to be healthy music therapists (or any working person) this needs to change.
It is our job, first and foremost, to live in our body and take care of the human residing within our own skin. We have one life to live, so let’s live it!
Check out this reference guide along with the accompanying podcast episode to get the ins-and-outs of taking time off - the emotional side of it AND the practical.
Student to Professional flowchart
“What happens after college???”
I remember feeling so lost as a new professional. I had no idea what to do, where to go, and what my options were in respect to getting a job. Employee, self-employed, hourly employee, contractor, sub-contractor. What’s the difference? I break this all down to the best of my ability in episode 10 of Not Your Average Music Therapist!
To make it even easier to understand, here’s a flowchart of the journey from student to professional with all the various options.
CMTE recertifying process
Does anyone else find it next-to-impossible to navigate the CBMT website and figure out how to add CMTEs and recertify? I gave this as a presentation to students and new professionals at the MARAMTA 2023 conference, and found it to be even more helpful for myself as a seasoned professional. This is a step-by-step guide taking you through where to go and how to add credits so that you get them all added up in order to recertify! It can be so easy to get lost on the website and not know what to do, so hopefully this guide is helpful for you!
Business Spreadsheets
I’ve been in business for several years and have refined these basic spreadsheets to fit exactly what my accountant needed to see. Included here are Expense, Income, and Mileage spreadsheets with formulas. These spreadsheets are ready for you to use to get organized with your taxes. They add up the totals, do percentages for you, and have the simplicity and ease you’re looking for. Start your business without wondering what you need to keep track of, and hand your accountant spreadsheets they’ll love to see at tax time!
These are in the format of Google Sheets, which you can store right in Google Drive. You can also download it to Excel or Numbers for easy use!
Should I buy these spreadsheets?
Would they even be helpful for me?
Don’t waste your money if you don’t think they would!
Watch this video to decide for yourself.
These spreadsheets will save you…
TIME (spent creating your own)
MONEY (spent on a program like Quickbooks)
THOUGHTS (about what the heck to include on tax spreadsheets)
The Podcast
Not your average music therapist
These are honest conversations about life and work as a music therapist. I talk about not feeling quite like I fit in with the profession as well as the joys I see in my everyday work. I have chats with other music therapists who have done and are doing amazing work. And I talk with people who have stepped away from music therapy to pursue another career. Hope you enjoy these conversations! P.S. there’s even a conversation on there with my brother who had been a client of music therapy!
coaching/supervision
An opportunity to get out all the things weighing on your heart and mind.
You are welcome to sign up here for coaching if you’re ready to jump right in! If you’d like to read a little more about my thoughts behind coaching, click here.
I know how tough it can be to navigate the terrains of music therapy and not burn out as a music therapist. Send me a message (click the “Get In Touch” button below) and I would love to chat and support you in any way I can. Thinking of you. 💕
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER