Learning Learning Learning

If I had to think of one thing that I really learned about music therapy during this week was that there isn't a "better" music therapy technique. Before this program, I would sometimes find myself wondering if the sing-a-long's were truly music therapy since there are so many non-music therapists in the world that go and sing songs to people in need. However, after spending my week with a music therapist, I learned that all of those worries I have are kind of silly. What matters is that the music therapist is doing what is best for the client, whether that be sing-a-longs or improvisation. 

One particular experience that will stick with me was when I experienced an improvisation music therapy session for the first time. There was a woman who seemed not really in the moment and was just hitting some wooden blocks while looking out into space. However, something clicked in her and she moved to the drum kit and started pounding on it and was laughing and smiling. After the session, the music therapist told me that that moment was the very first time she had ventured off to play a new instrument, and that woman had been going to music therapy sessions for weeks now. The experience meant a lot to me because I saw right before my eyes how music was making a difference in a person's life. The music seemed to just set that person free. 

I will also say that my time in Heidelberg helped me prepare for this learning experience. Simply sitting class and learning about music therapy in Germany helped me have an idea of what to expect. For instance, we talked a lot about how many music therapists in Germany have a structure of "talk-play-talk." That is exactly what my music therapist did in Düsseldorf. Learning about this type of structure before in class helped me make more sense out of what was going on in the therapy sessions, especially since I can't understand or speak German.

Not only did I learn more about music therapy, but I learned something about myself. I learned that it's okay to meet new people. I tend to like to stick to the familiar when it comes to people, but spending time with a bunch of new people in this program helped me learn how there are so many more awesome people to get to know. I didn't truly have any idea that I was going to make the close relationships I have made on this trip.

Lastly, I would say that these learning experiences are connected by the fact that I made a decision to try something new. None of these insights would have happened to me if I had not taken that leap of faith. So, overall, I learned that if an opportunity ever comes my way, I shouldn't be afraid. I should just take it.