Tamara

 by TPSMTS Team

Music Therapists Need Music Therapy, Too: A Reflection

How music helped soothe an exhausted and stressed music therapist.

Music Therapists Need Music Therapy Too: A Reflection
Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

 

Speaking from my experience, I have been laser focused over the past 2.5 years in supporting my students/clients (both that I work with directly and indirectly), their families, our team, and my own family through all the ebbs and flows of this pandemic.

 

I have been running on fumes. I have been in a constant state of exhaustion which has shown up in my physical and mental health. I have been feeling so “done,” burned out, and my motivation to practice self-care has gone by the wayside.

 

I have found that finally going back to “normal,” while it is absolutely wonderful in itself, has been even more exhausting (in some ways, more than the pandemic itself!). This has shown, yet again, how deeply this pandemic has affected everyone in various ways. It has been just joyful to see normalcy and people finally living again. Still, it has been extremely hard to readjust.

 

I had the privilege of listening to one of my long-time students as they prepared for our “End-of-the-Year Party and Recitals” a month ago. They will be off to university in the fall, and this was one of our last lessons together. After working with this student since they were a young child, this almost felt surreal.

 

As they did a practice performance run on this particular day, playing two pieces by two of my favourite composers, watching the sun hit the trees just right through their bay window, I felt my body relax for the first time in a long time. I was able to sit back, enjoy their music, and realize just how truly exhausted I have been.

 

As a music therapist and music teacher, often at the end of a long clinical day we want to do anything but listen to music after singing, performing, and listening to other people’s musical preferences all day long.

 

On this day, the student became the teacher. This amazing student gave back after all the years we have spent fostering a love of playing the piano, of music in general, and cultivating a passion that I know will continue far beyond our lessons together. I do not believe in that moment this student realized how much I needed what they gave me.

 

For a few minutes, all the stress I had been feeling just melted away. For a few minutes, the world was still and I felt a sense of calmness I had not experienced in a long while. For a few minutes, I experienced joy and a sense of hope.

 

And as I drove home with tears streaming down my face so grateful for this experience, I realized that every minute of hard work and laser focus has been worth it.

 

Those few minutes renewed my passion for the work I do and what the future holds. Now more than ever, music therapists need music therapy too.

 

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 by TPSMTS Team

Back to Basics

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

Ten self care questions to ask yourself

I’m not going to lie – these past few months have been tough. Some days have been really, really challenging.

I am beyond grateful that music therapists in Ontario have been deemed as essential healthcare workers by both our regulating college and the provincial government, which means that all lessons/sessions were able to continue throughout this school year as regularly scheduled. It really helped that I was able to see the majority of my students/clients in-person, which provided a sense of routine and normalcy in all our lives.

 

As restrictions begin to ease again, vaccinations are being rolled out at record speed, and case counts continue to drop rapidly, we are now starting to (finally!) see and feel a sense of normalcy.

 

If there is anything this pandemic has taught me, it is to not take our health for granted, and to really slow down and essentially get “back to basics” in all aspects of our lives.

 

Self-care has definitely been one aspect of my life that has fallen by the wayside in recent months, especially with feeling like we have been in “survival mode” since last March!

 

In order to practice what I preach and to hold myself accountable, I am sharing my daily “back to basics” self-care list. Hopefully this can be a good reference for you as well to use and adapt if necessary – there are many similar lists available if you do a quick Google search.

I find that referencing this list daily helps immensely with keeping myself in check and really being able to tune in (no pun intended!) to what I may need in a particular moment:

  1. Have I taken a shower?
  2. Have I kept myself hydrated?
  3. Have I eaten regular meals and snacks?
  4. Have I gotten adequate sleep/rest?
  5. Have I moved my body?
  6. Have I taken my necessary medication and supplements, kept up with my routine blood tests, and/or checked in with my specialists if needed? As I have an autoimmune condition, this is extremely important.
  7. Have I done something kind for myself? For me, this continues to be a work in progress.
  8. Have I done something kind for someone else?
  9. Have I connected or checked in with my “people?” For me, this is my immediate family, extended family, colleagues, friends, and therapist. It is so nice that we can now begin to see people in-person rather than through a screen!
  10. Have I made time for play or fun? For me, this continues to be a work in progress.

 

Of course, it’s not always possible to get through the entire list in one day. It is important to remember that there is no need to be perfect, and that some days will be better than others. Some days, just being able to put one foot in front of the other is an accomplishment in itself!

 

What is most important is that every day, we all strive to do our best with the resources we have, and are mindful of when we may need to “fill our tanks.”

 

I wish everyone a restful, healthy, and safe summer!

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 by TPSMTS Team

We pivoted once, now we pivoted twice: Adjusting to our “new normal”

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

How our music therapy practice and piano studio is moving forward

As you have seen on the blog over the past few months, we have been discussing our transition to Telehealth (online) lessons/sessions. We have discussed in detail the benefits we have seen, and what we have learned using this new platform to ensure our students/clients maintain a sense of normalcy, routine, and their motivation and progress during this unpredictable time.

 

Toward the end of May, we were given the go-ahead to begin resuming in-person lessons/sessions with strict health and safety protocols in place, as set out by our regulating college and public health.

 

This transition was slow, first starting with “urgent” students/clients who for a variety of reasons, could not be seen on Telehealth (online) through this time. About a week later, we were able to begin transitioning all our students/clients who were comfortable back to in-person lessons/sessions.

 

Very quickly, we needed to pivot again and put clear contingency plans in place to ensure the safety of our teachers/therapists, students/clients, and their families. Here are some examples of the health and safety measures that are now a part of our “new normal”:

 

Frequent hand sanitizing and hand washing:

Whether we are seeing students/clients in the studio or in their home, the first thing we do is ensure they wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after each lesson/session. Our teachers/therapists do the same.

PPE:

All our teachers/therapists are required to wear a mask during every lesson/session. We strongly encourage students/clients to wear masks as well, but in some circumstances this is not possible. If this is the case, our teachers/therapists wear face shields in addition to masks for everyone’s protection.

 

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!

In each studio and in the bathroom, you will find a litany of cleaning supplies used before and after each lesson/session, as well as during lessons/sessions to make sure that any used instruments and/or supplies, frequently touched surfaces, etc. are cleaned and disinfected promptly.

Checklists

If you are visiting the studio, you will see checklists around the entire space: entryway, stairwell, hallway, treble clef studio, bass clef studio, bathroom, and waiting room. There are checklists for all the possible items, surfaces, etc. that could be touched in each area, and students/clients and their families can see when everything was last cleaned.

 

Studio safety

Our studio is definitely quieter these days! We are allowing students/clients in one at a time (with some exception to siblings), typically with an accompanying adult waiting outside. We are starting to implement staggered start and end times as well. The waiting room is no longer a hub for coffee, snacks, toys, games, or a place to “hang out” while lessons/sessions are being conducted.

At all times, we respect the varying comfort levels of each student/client and their families. Telehealth (online) lessons/sessions continue to be available for families who prefer this platform, and/or for families to utilize until they are comfortable resuming in-person lessons/sessions.

 

Though this “new normal” has brought a lot of changes to how we run our day to day operations, there is no question that our teachers/therapists and students/clients alike have been so happy to start seeing each other in-person again!

 

As further restrictions begin to ease, we look forward to continue resuming in-person lessons/sessions with all our students/clients as the summer goes on, and into the new school year!

 

As always, we wish everyone continued health and safety amidst these extraordinary times!

 

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 by TPSMTS Team

Practicing and Intrinsic Motivation

Encouraging students to progress and grow in music lessons

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

With the new year now upon us, it is a time for reflection and resolutions, including when it comes to music lessons. One aspect of music lessons that comes up frequently in conversation, especially at the beginning of a new term, is practicing.

In general, I have found that the key to long term progress, success, and enjoyment of playing an instrument is intrinsic motivation.

 

Intrinsic motivation refers to behaviour that is driven by internal rewards. The motivation to engage in a behaviour arises from within the individual because there are natural rewards associated with it. In other words, students practice because they want to progress (similar to playing sports, where there is a motivation to practice in order to develop the strength and skills to progress). In my experience, students who want to practice their instrument and continue to progress are the ones who reap the most benefits and rewards for themselves, and are more likely to continue lessons long-term.

 

Extrinsic motivation typically doesn’t work well as a long term solution. Rewards such as candy, toys, etc. may not be effective when it comes to music practicing. This is not to say that they won’t work in the short term, but often they satiate and eventually are no longer motivating. The point is that practicing equates to further progress, which is motivation in itself. While rewards may not be an optimal long-term way to motivate, positive reinforcement (strengthening an action with praising words, a pat on the back, performing for others, etc.) can help to further encourage growth and skills to develop intrinsic motivation.

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 by TPSMTS Team

The Dual Role of Music Therapist and Parent

Tamara shares her journey as a special needs parent…

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

As a music therapist, I always knew I wanted to work with children.

During my education, my practicum supervisor saw immediately how my own energy, enthusiasm, and passion affected my paediatric clients and that I had a natural ability to connect with them. For my remaining placements, I worked with children in various school and clinical settings. I completed my internship at a therapeutic day school for children and adolescents with special needs, which inspired me to establish my private practice specializing in working with children and adolescents with neurological disorders and developmental delays.

 

When I got married, I knew I wanted to be a mom. I have always loved children and came from a big family, constantly caring for and truly enjoying my time (for the most part!) with my little brothers and cousins.

Never did I imagine that these two roles would collide.

Aside from being owner and director of TPSMTS, I am also a mom to a beautiful, energetic, and vivacious 5 1/2 year old boy who has special needs.

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 by TPSMTS Team

Exciting TPSMTS News!

Spring Update from Tamara

 

With the ground finally starting to thaw, thoughts of the wonderful spring weather and upcoming summer are now on the horizon…

With that in mind, I wanted to take this opportunity to update everyone on what we have been up to here at TPSMTS and the excitement ahead!

As of July 3, RYAN HUI will be assuming the role of FULL-TIME ASSISTANT DIRECTOR!

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 by TPSMTS Team

Presuming Competence

Why we always presume competence at TPSMTS

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

Back when I was a Music Therapy intern, I received some of the best advice that has heavily influenced and shaped me as Music Therapist, Music Teacher, mother, and human, defined my career path and private practice, and made TPSMTS what it is today.

This advice was to always presume competence.

This term was originally coined as “the least dangerous assumption” by Anne Donnellan in 1984. To presume competence is “to assume that a child has intellectual ability, provide opportunities to be exposed to learning, assume the child wants to learn and assert him or herself in the world” according to Douglas Biklen (an award winning educator known for his work of promoting quality education for individuals with intellectual disabilities). Biklen says “to not presume competence is to assume that some individuals cannot learn, develop, or participate in the world.”

In other words, one should never underestimate any individual based on how they may initially present or on their abilities.

At TPSMTS, presuming competence is one of our most important values.

We strongly believe that every individual has the ability to understand, learn, and has the right to access high quality Music Therapy and Music Education, whether that be through using Music Therapy to help achieve non-musical goals, or through music lessons to learn how to play an instrument and receive a musical education.

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 by TPSMTS Team

Summertime Songwriting Activity

Targeting goals in songwriting

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

Summer lessons/sessions are now officially underway! Though I am finding there is definitely a more “relaxed” feel to all lessons/sessions, there is no question that all students/clients are working hard and are motivated to keep working post-recitals.

Summer is a time where I like to do a lot of summer-themed activities to help target therapeutic goals.

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 by TPSMTS Team

Three Reasons to Continue Music Lessons/Sessions Over the Summer

Consistency, routine, and goals

Written by Tamara Leszner-Rovet

With spring now approaching, it is no better time to start thinking about the summer! While for many, thoughts of camp, days lounging by the pool or beach, and the warm weather indicate a break and pause from regular activities and therapies.

 

Here at TPSMTS, this is one of the best times for lessons/sessions, and thankfully we have many of our families who continue their lessons/sessions through the summer months!

 

Despite summer lessons/sessions being optional, we so strongly recommend that students/clients continue their lessons/sessions through the summer months for these reasons: 

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 by TPSMTS Team

Fresh Starts

Hello everyone, and welcome to our blog!

Once a month, our team will be contributing posts on various topics pertaining to music education, Music Therapy, and psychotherapy.

 

From Tamara —

 

I have always enjoyed the beginning of the school year. I love the feeling of a fresh start! We welcome our new students/clients, resume lessons/sessions with our returning students/clients who take the summer off, and continue on with our students/clients who were seen through the summer months. It’s a time to set new goals, get back into routine, and anticipate all the progress and fun ahead!

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