I think it's rare that people fall into their perfect career, but it happened for me. It's always been a dream of mine to work in a children's hospital. I pictured myself wearing scrubs, giving advice to doctors, and making life-changing progress in each and every session.
Well, let's just say that's not quite how it happened. I started a new pediatric music therapy program early in my career and the learning curve was steep. I realized that there was far more to the work than just playing at the bedside. There are moments of intense joy and intense sorrow. There are complex family dynamics and new medical procedures to understand every day. There is a persistent need for continued education and pressure to advocate for our profession. There is frustration with never having enough time. There is a deep love for music therapy and its ability to humanize the medical environment.
When I started out, I was a Lone Ranger on a music therapy team of one. Often, I would wonder to myself: Am I the only one who feels this way? Am I doing enough? Am I doing this right??
I wanted to create Pediatric Music Therapy to foster a greater sense of connection in our community. Too often we are disconnected from one another, left to wonder, Am I the only one who feels this way? Am I doing enough? Am I doing this right??
This is an exciting adventure and I hope you will join me. I want this to be OUR community. I want to hear from you and want us to share with one another. How can we shape the pediatric music therapy community and how can we make the medical world more accessible for music therapists?
Love you all -
Amy