10 Life-Learnings from 10 Years
of working as a music therapist
- Presence is the key.
While creative methods and tools are undoubtedly a great contribute to my therapeutic process, it is the authentic and attuned presence of ME that forms the foundation for meaningful and transformative client experiences. - Therapy is a marathon, not a sprint.
I see it more as a gradual and sustained journey towards personal growth and healing, rather than a quick sprint to resolution (which is so often the assumption). The marathon analogy emphasizes that healing and self-discovery are not momentary; rather, they unfold over time. It underscores the importance of the process itself — the steady rhythm of sessions, the consistent effort, and the gradual integration of insights into one’s life. - Staying inspired as a therapist!
It is important to me. I feel that the role of a therapist goes beyond the sessions with clients; it extends into a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. Staying inspired and continuously learning is essential for me to provide effective and ethical care. My inspired stated turns into everyday creativity which are all those innovative interventions, approaches, and strategies I come up with from session to session in the sake of my clients. - Developing resilience in the face of challenges. It is a crucial for my work to have strategies for cultivating my resilience. Over the years I have become more aware about how I need an environment which is supportive and inspiring. To navigate this complex and emotionally demanding client-work, I need also a place to reflect (supervision!) and a very well balanced work-rest-exercise-play-eat-sleep mode.
Setting realistic and friendly boundaries.
With other workers, with clients, with parents (as I have done a lot of youth-work). I am still learning though, it might even be the most reflected and analysed topic in my supervision. BOUNDARIES!- Stay playful, but don´t overplay it!
People sometimes assume that being a creative therapist involves playing on the ground, singing songs and playing tambourine all day long with a jolly on your face. Well, imagine doing that as an adult for a day, then imagine doing it for a money as your job for 10+ years 7 hours every day. Does it still sound playful or fun or does it finally sound more like a Joker? Staying playful as a creative therapist involves embracing spontaneity, fostering a sense of curiosity, and allowing my authentic self to shine through in therapeutic sessions wherever it leads me. I have to remember in those moments that playfulness in therapy doesn’t have to be extravagant; it can be found in the small, genuine moments of connection and exploration. By staying true to myself, being open to creativity, and adapting my approach to the unique needs of my clients, I am able to create a therapeutic environment that is both effective and enjoyable. - Humility and Openness. I don´t know You. I can´t see into your head and I don´t know what has happened to You or your child exactly. I hear hundreds of narratives in a year and stay humble and open to learning as I am aware that there is always more to discover and no story is the same.
- Celebrating Small Victories.
I have learnt to recognize really small (but important!) changes that helps clients and me stay motivated and engaged in the therapeutic process. Unrealistic or unattainable goals are huge process killers! Growth, self-discovery, and positive change often happen incrementally, and excessively high goals may overshadow these crucial aspects and finally, take all fun out of therapeutic journey. - Building tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty is a never-ending process. There are no clear answers and the complexity of the human psyche, emotions, motivations, and behaviours might all together feel dreadful, but over the time I feel more and more comfortable sitting with unanswered questions, resistance or uncertainty. I have learnt to see challenges as opportunities and day by day I can see myself becoming more mindful and relaxed.
- Gratitude for the therapeutic journey. Recognizing and appreciating the positive changes, growth, and self-discovery that my clients have experienced has had a profound impact on me and my life. Therapeutic journey is always built on trust and connection and when it happens, I am always grateful. Recognizing all the unique narratives my clients share with me and the challenges they have faced during therapy. Creative therapy often involves embracing the unpredictability of the therapeutic process- the spontaneity, surprises, and unexpected moments that arise. I am forever grateful for recognizing that these elements have contributed to the richness and depth of our therapeutic journey in past, present and in the future.