Music Therapy Unplugged: Real Talk for New Professionals

It’s lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting to strike the moment we let our guards down: Burnout is a merciless foe that cares not how much you’ve trained for your position as a music therapist, how much you care about your clients, or how badly you need that paycheque. In this episode, Lee-Anne and Michelle explore the causes of burnout and how it can wreak havoc on an otherwise promising career as a music therapist. Importantly, this discussion also includes many effective self-care strategies to help you develop a healthier and more sustainable approach to your work.
 
Article: Gooding, L. F. (2019). Burnout among music therapists: An integrative review. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 28(5), 426–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2019.1621364
 
Connect with us:www.mtunplugged.ca
ldowsett@cmu.ca
michelleyaciuk@gmail.com
 

Confused by the different classifications of positions available to music therapists? And why do some seem to pay so much more (or less) than others? In this episode, Lee-Anne and Michelle outline what you can expect from these different roles, whether you are employed by someone else or working as an independent contractor. No matter what role you end up taking on, risks and benefits have a way of extending far beyond your take-home pay. 
 
Show Website: http://www.mtunplugged.ca
CAMT: http://www.musictherapy.ca
Reach out directly to us with questionsLee-Anne: ldowsett@cmu.caMichelle: myaciuk@cmu.ca
 

You may have survived practicum placements, internships, and certification exams, but, as the dust settles, a new challenger appears: the job interview! In this episode, Michelle and Lee-Anne discuss how to meet this challenge head-on with strength and confidence. While interview tips shared will help prepare you for these potentially stressful moments, your hosts also kindly offer a reminder that the hiring process does not determine our value as music therapists. 

Practice makes perfect, allegedly, but should we care? Does perfect music therapy even exist? This episode explores the root causes of perfectionism and how our training might actually be getting in the way of effective music therapy practice. Michelle and Lee-Anne also discuss ways of combatting a results-focused mindset in order to embrace the process and celebrate the everyday victories (and failures) that truly lead to growth.  
  
Book Recommendation: Gilboa, A., & Hakvoort, L. (Eds.). (2022). Breaking Strings: Explorations of Mistakes in Music Therapy. ArtEZ Press. 
https://artezpress.artez.nl/books/breaking-strings 
 
Show Website: http://www.mtunplugged.ca
CAMT: http://www.musictherapy.ca
Reach out directly to us with questionsLee-Anne: ldowsett@cmu.caMichelle: myaciuk@cmu.ca

Who doesn’t love a career-determining certification exam? In this episode, Michelle and Lee-Anne demystify the CBMT certification exam process, offering tips and strategies to help optimize your preparation. Their discussion covers topics such as exam formatting, helpful study resources, and dealing with test-anxiety. As a bonus, Michelle recounts a cautionary tale related to ill-advised post-exam alcohol purchases.
 
Show Website: http://www.mtunplugged.ca
CAMT: http://www.musictherapy.ca
Reach out directly to us with questionsLee-Anne: ldowsett@cmu.caMichelle: myaciuk@cmu.ca
 

Welcome to Music Therapy Unplugged: Real Talk with Lee-Anne and Michelle, a podcast for music therapists navigating the world of post-certification. This episode introduces your hosts—and new cheerleaders— Lee-Anne Dowsett and Michelle Yaciuk as they explore their own music therapy journeys and share their goals for the show. Becoming a professional can be a daunting crossroads for new grads that poses some big questions, from the practical to the existential. Michelle and Lee-Anne are here to help and invite you to come join the party! Want to connect with Lee-Anne or Michelle:Email at ldowsett@cmu.ca or myaciuk@cmu.ca