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Shake It Up! 3 Things We Love About the Tambourine They’re adaptable. When you put a tambourine in your hand, the jingles or “zils” practically play themselves.

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Springtime in Portland: Songwriting

Springtime in Portland: Songwriting

At Earthtones we’re always looking for new ways to inspire our clients. This month, intern music therapist Seven Patton rewrote the song “Springtime in the Rockies” with three of his groups. Each group worked together to create a totally unique version of the song, proving that there’s no one way to celebrate Springtime in Portland! Group 1 When it’s springtime in Portland I’ll watch the birds…

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Meet Susie Sample, Intern Horticultural Therapist

Meet Susie Sample, Intern Horticultural Therapist

  What drew you to Horticultural Therapy? I was drawn to the field of gerontology from helping my mom who was living with lewy body dementia. During my coursework at Portland Community College I discovered Horticultural Therapy (HT). Being a lifelong lover of plants and nature I was excited to combine these two passions. I witnessed the value of HT firsthand during an internship at an adult day…

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Daffodils Spring has sprung! With their sunny color and cheery disposition, March is the month of the daffodil.

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Plant-astic! Q&A with Genevieve Layman, HTR: Earthtones Horticultural Therapy Program Director

Plant-astic! Q&A with Genevieve Layman, HTR: Earthtones Horticultural Therapy Program Director

What is horticultural therapy? Horticultural therapy is an effective evidence-based therapeutic modality that uses plants, gardens and nature-based activities to promote well-being for the participants. Registered Horticultural therapists (HTR) assess emotional well-being, social functioning, communication abilities, cognitive and physical abilities and horticultural interest. Horticultural…

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Your Guide to Advocacy Zen

Your Guide to Advocacy Zen

Note: Earlier this month we found out about Social Media Advocacy Month. It’s been going on since 2013, and this year Earthtones SO EXCITED to take part! Spearheaded by Kimberly Sena Moore, the mission is to empower music therapists to advocate for our profession. So enjoy this guest blog post, and let’s get advocating!  – Emilie Wright, MT-BC Advocacy can help open doors, produce opportunities…

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Happy December! Horticultural therapy participants created these leaf rubbings by using gelatin and paint to press the images onto paper. A highly adaptable activity for all abilities! 🍁🍂🌿 #horticulturaltherapy #autumnleaves #adaptable

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One of our horticultural therapy clients planted these bright beautiful pansies to celebrate his birthday last week. Happy birthday! 🌺🌷🌸#horticulturaltherapy #portland #fallblooms

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Earthtones was invited to participate in a staff training with #VolunteersofAmerica. We learned about what to look for in recognizing elder financial abuse, and about positive approaches to working with dementia. Thank you VOA for the opportunity to join you! #musictherapy #horticulturaltherapy #portlandoregon

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#horticulturaltherapy participants created these "fall treasure" vases during their session last week. Cones, nuts, and seeds galore! #Portland #natureheals #pacificnorthwest (at Earthtones Music Therapy Services LLC)

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Song List Series - Songs with a Catchy Chorus

Song List Series – Songs with a Catchy Chorus

We LOVE a good chorus. It can serve many different purposes, from being a musical container while passing out/collecting instruments, to a springboard for improvisation, or even a base for songwriting! Sometimes though, you remember the chorus but not the title of the song. Well, look no further! Here is a list of 10 songs with a catchy chorus. “Kids” by MGMT “The Walker” by Fitz and the Tantrums…

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Supervising Interns

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All my clients!

have you ever met someone who’s smile looks like it could make flowers grow

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Earthtones Spotlight - Tonya Fisher

Earthtones Spotlight – Tonya Fisher

  Tonya Fisher, MT-BC is many things. She is a genealogy enthusiast, a rock fan (both the musical and geological variety), and a karaoke champion. And if that wasn’t enough, she is a wonderful music therapist! She loaned her powerful voice and presence to Earthtones after completing her internship with us last year, and we couldn’t be happier to have her on board. What drew you to music therapy?…

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Intern Highlights - This is Bananas!

Intern Highlights – This is Bananas!

I recently went to observe one of our interns, Yu-Wen Huang, at a memory care facility. Our interns are currently at the mid-way point of their internship and they are starting to develop their own style and presence. With Yu-Wen’s permission, I’d like to share a snapshot from the session with you.   The session was underway and we’d just finished singing some familiar songs. Yu-Wen was getting…

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The Earthtones admin team had a retreat this past weekend. We put our heads together and talked about all kinds of exciting stuff – The future of Earthtones, what our goals are, how to better serve our precious clients. In order to get a good look at where we’re going, we wanted to understand where we came from. I was tasked to write up a “History of Earthtones.” I tried, seriously, for hours to write our story in prose, but it just was not coming out right. It felt too formal and not like the vibrant group I know and love. Instead of tearing out my hair, I did what I do best. I adapted! What came out was a poem that’s part “Night Before Christmas,” part Shel Silverstein, and all kinds of awesome. 

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If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already well acquainted with how awesome music can be. Maybe you’re a music therapist, or know and love one. You might be an activity director who has seen your residents sing along to Frank Sinatra long after they’re lost their ability to speak. Or maybe you know the feeling of getting in the car after a long day and hearing your favorite song come on the radio. No matter what, nearly everyone has some kind of connection with music. That’s why I want to share this next story with you. If you love music, you’ll understand.

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It’s Monday after a weekend of pouring rain. The sun is trying to peek through the clouds. I get called in for an impromptu music therapy session at a day program for adults with mental health needs. I and another music therapist normally have a group here on Tuesday and Thursdays but they requested an extra session this week and I’m glad to step in. When I walk in the door I see a woman beelining towards the exit, staff not far behind. Exit-seeking behavior is a common symptom in dementia, and the staff at this day program are well-versed in redirection, but nothing seems to be working. I make eye contact with the director and she says, “Do you want to go to music?” The woman looks at the director, looks at me, and says, “I don’t think I can.” I approach the woman with my hand extended and introduce myself. She takes my hand and tells me her name. Then I ask, “Do you like rock & roll?” The woman’s eyes light up. Like the sun peeking through the clouds, her affect begins to brighten. She starts humming and moving her shoulders up and down in time, and enthusiastically agrees to walk to my group with me. We hum “The Twist” by Chubby Checker as we go.