Music can benefit many parts of our daily lives. With March being Music Therapy Awareness Month, I spoke with Speech and Language Pathologist, Erika Stevens about the importance and benefits of using music in her sessions.
Erika graduated from Niagara County Community College with her associate degree in liberal arts. She graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Buffalo State College with her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. She is currently attending Buffalo State College to receive her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She has worked with clients at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Buffalo State College and is now working with clients at St. Joseph University School and People Inc.
What sparked your interest in this field?
I’ve always loved the idea of having a career where I could help people on a daily basis. I wanted a career where I would never get bored and could interact with other individuals. Once I heard about speech-language pathology, I instantly fell in love with it and knew it was the career for me. Knowing that I could help clients work on their speech and/or language skills to help them communicate better was so exciting to me. I love being able to plan fun and engaging activities for each client that target their goals and objectives. Creating new ideas for therapy makes each session fun for me as well! Now I know what people mean when they say they’re working a “dream job.”
What is the hardest part of your career?
The hardest part of my career choice has been the intense grad school program. It is such a different experience from undergrad and between coursework and clinic, it is a lot. Being able to finally apply the knowledge that I have learned in class when I am working with clients has made it worth it though. Working with clients and seeing their progress has opened my eyes to the impact I have on each of their lives. It is helping me to stay motivated and finish grad school so I can be the best clinician I can be.
What is your relationship with music?
I have always had a passion for music. I sang in the choir and danced throughout elementary, middle, and high school, and went to many competitions. I also have been performing in musicals for many years. I listen to music on a daily basis and find that it is a great way to relax and ease my stress. I consider music to be a huge part of my life and love listening to many different genres.
How can music impact your industry?
Music can be a great tool for speech and/or language therapy. There are plenty of songs out there to work on different speech and/or language skills! I think it can positively impact speech-language pathology because it can be a great way to engage clients and make them feel more comfortable.
How can your clients benefit from music?
Clients can benefit from music in their therapy sessions because it can focus on physical, emotional, social, and cognitive aspects. I think that incorporating music into therapy sessions can benefit individuals of all ages. I know there are plenty of music therapists out there who collaborate with speech-language pathologists to help clients as well.
Do you have a favorite song to use in therapy?
I do not have a favorite song because each therapy session is based on the client’s concerns and needs. I make each therapy session specific to that client and what works best for them. My ultimate goal is to figure out what therapy tools and strategies I can use to achieve the best progress. While music may work for some clients, it may not work for others. I also love to plan therapy sessions based on what the client enjoys. If I am incorporating music into therapy, then I will let them choose a song or genre of music that they enjoy and work my therapy into that. I want them to be as comfortable as possible while working with me and just like with any other interest, I can always find ways to combine their interests with the goals and objectives I have set for their therapy sessions!