Jar of Hearts

Basically all I can say is WOW.

I'm pumped. I'm on a high. I never thought I could feel this fulfilled after a music therapy session at Avalon.

I can barely even form all my thoughts and feelings into words right now, but I'm going to try. So, please bear with me.

The amazing Shaundra and I facilitated a session together this afternoon and it went so well! As Letha put it when we sat down for our de-briefing..."I have nothing to say. I couldn't...nobody could have done that session as well as the two of you did!" Booya! Letha also said she has never seen the staff react the way they did. They actually said to Letha, "Those two are GOOD! They made music therapeutic in a way we've never seen before!" (Fists pumping in the air)

I won't go into huge details about the session, but let's just say that we listened to what our clients wanted and had requested and then we created the therapeutic experience around that. Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri was our inspiration for the session, perfect theme for Valentine's Week. The girls opened up and talked alot about their eating disorders (now I'm not afraid to actually talk specifically about it with them). We then empowered them with their own Jar of Hearts that represented what they have to fight for, why they are on this journey to conquering their disorder. It was so cathartic.

Oh, and we had so much fun doing a hot-potato like game with the jar to Michael Jackson's "Beat It!". When the music stopped each girl had to share what she was going to do today to "beat" her challenge/eating disorder. The girls cheered, clapped, and were so pumped! They supported each other in a way I've never seen before. Wow....Wow....WOW.

It was real, it was amazing, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually looking forward to the next 8 weeks of sessions. If we can accomplish such great things so early in therapy, then think of the possibilities for the rest of the semester! (Letha said that, not me.) It's so true!

Yay for MUSIC THERAPY.
It's legit. I love it.