When I started in music therapy in the fall of 1981, there weren’t that many music therapists working in school districts (or even in other types of agencies) in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, those professionals that were here were incredibly supportive to me and set a fine example of the importance of networking. I often had questions or needed ideas about resources, and Cathy Knoll and Linda Smith were always available. In those days it was support by telephone–there was no email!
I am pleased that over the years the positive attitude of “stick together and support one another” has maintained with most professionals working in the DFW area. The state motto of Texas is “Friendship” and that has been the attitude of most people in our area. I have heard from other people across the United States that sometimes that isn’t the case where they live. How sad. When we support one another, everyone in the profession benefits and most importantly–our clients benefit!
Sometimes the reason a professional is not friendly or willing to network is the fear that the other professional will “take their clients”. That issue is covered in our code of ethics, but stop for a minute and think about why an agency or family might terminate a contract with a music therapist.
1. Economic considerations can cause an agency or family to terminate a contract. They may no longer have money in the agency budget to cover the cost, or a family may be overwhelmed with expenses and have to choose to eliminate a service in order to manage financially.
2. In some instances, the music therapist could be charging a rate that is well above the typical rates for music therapists, and an agency or family may seek out a professional that charges a rate that is more in line with other professionals in the area. If therapists refer to the information available through AMTA and get general economic information about their community, they can usually set appropriate rates that will not cause an agency or family to change therapists for financial reasons only.
3. A lack of good work ethic or people skills can cause an agency or family to terminate a contract or choose another therapist. When a therapist is perpetually late or cancels sessions frequently, or communicates poorly with the agency, family or client….a contract can be lost.
4. Lack of skills or background with a particular population can cause the loss of a contract with an agency or family. Everyone has to start somewhere with a new population that they may not have worked with previously, but when that happens it is critical for the therapist to network with others that have experience with that population. Be honest with the agency or family and indicate your willingness to learn. Those of us that have experience with particular populations need to be open to networking or supporting professionals who are new to a population. All of us were beginners at some point, and helping colleagues succeed in our community strengthens the position of all music therapists in the community. By ignoring someone who is struggling and who has asked for help we harm everyone in the our field.
When we are supportive of colleagues and do not see them as competition, our clients benefit. And that’s why we are in this field—to help people! Being resistant to sharing or helping others really doesn’t pay off in the long run and is based mostly on unrealistic fears. I have seen the benefits of having a helpful and good network in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for many years–it is a win/win situation for everyone. Keep in mind, if we do not support our new, young professionals in positive ways we will not have a future for the field of music therapy. So…be the professional who is open to helping others–especially people new to our profession!