It’s hard to believe that my six-month internship at Therabeat has come to an end. The time has flown by, and as I sit down to reflect, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude, excitement, and sadness. This chapter has meant so much to me, both personally and professionally.
Over the past few months, I’ve grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first stepped through the doors of Therabeat. I have learned how to adapt in the moment, whether that means improvising while reading a book with a client or adjusting an entire session plan based on what the client needs that day. I’ve gained confidence in leading individual sessions from start to finish, developed skills in managing a variety of behaviors, and collaborated with other disciplines to ensure we were always working in the best interest of each client.
Throughout my internship, I also had the opportunity to build a diverse library of resources including visuals, interventions, and communication tools. I’m incredibly thankful to have these resources, knowing how useful those materials will be in future settings. (I definitely became well acquainted with the laminator!) I also learned how to effectively communicate with families about progress in music therapy. I came to understand how meaningful and supportive those conversations can be in a client’s journey. One of the most rewarding parts of that process has been seeing clients light up when they share their session experiences with their families. Whether it’s a new skill they’ve learned or a song they love, watching their pride and excitement grow has been incredibly special.
But as valuable as those experiences have been, what I’ll miss most are the people. Each one has left a mark on me in their own way. Building those therapeutic relationships has been the heart of this experience, and saying goodbye is truly bittersweet. Thank you to everyone at Therabeat for your incredible support throughout this internship chapter. I truly couldn’t have done it without you!
-Asila Folds, Music Therapy Intern