CMTE H: More Than Lyric Analysis: Creative Interventions for Adolescents in Music Therapy
Thursday November 6, 2014
7:30-12:30
With
Mary Jane Landaker, MME, MT-BC
What will you be sharing?
The workshop (and I mean WORKSHOP) will include a bit of information about why adolescents are the way they are (using a developmental focus) and will include lots of information about how to create and lead experiences for adolescents in a variety of treatment areas. Participants will engage in discussions, therapeutic music experiences, composition, and songwriting in a supportive environment of peers with different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to share. Be prepared for a music-filled, creative CMTE that will end with each participant taking fully developed therapeutic music experiences back to their clients on November 10th.
What is your experience with this topic?
I love working with adolescents and have spent most of my career working with them. They are a challenging group of clients who are quixotic, indifferent, enthusiastic, and difficult all at the same time. After 18 years of working with adolescents, I have a vast amount of experiences on what works, what doesn’t work, and how to engage even the most difficult client into meaningful music therapy interaction.
Where will attendees be able to implement the information you share?
At first, in their clinical areas on the first day back after the conference. After that, wherever they may be…
Tell us something that makes your CMTE unique or different?
Large pieces of paper posted around the room. Free marker for every attendee. Decision Trees. Jam sessions. Adaptations and extensions. A little bit of lecture and lots of learning.
Interested in why these things make this CMTE unique or different? Sign-up and see!
Why is this topic of interest to you?
Adolescence is such a mysterious time, and I know that I felt somewhat overwhelmed when I started working with kids who were sometimes contrary and other times fully participatory. I remember having to change my interaction style from what I did with both adults and children because my adolescents just didn’t fall for my old tricks. I think many music therapists find out the same types of things when they start to work with adolescents.
Having said that, adolescence is my favorite chronological age. The challenges that arise when you work with a group of snarly, defiant teenagers are never boring. There are lots of techniques that will help therapists engage these teens in meaningful interaction through music therapy.
Who should attend your class?
Anyone who interacts (or plans on interacting) with those clients between the ages of 12 and 22. If you are a music therapist who feels challenged by clients in that age group, this CMTE will offer some hints and techniques on how to establish and sustain relationships. If you are someone who craves some new things to do with your clients, then come to this CMTE. You will be challenged to create new therapeutic music experiences in a supportive and creative environment. If you work with other populations and want some new ways to think about designing and implementing music therapy treatment in your area, this may be a good CMTE choice for you as well.
What kind of information will attendees be walking away with?
Attendees will take home a packet of information on the techniques, tips, and ideas presented by the presenter during the CMTE, but I think the most important information that will be taken away will come from the other attendees. By the end of the CMTE, I hope that each attendee will have 10 new ideas for therapeutic music experiences to use when they return to their therapeutic environment wherever that may be.
