Working in Indiana

Hello everyone (that reads this blog). This is Scott Titensor, with a quick update on my life (as if you wanted to know).

We are living in Indianapolis, Indiana. I started my music therapy job at Meaningful Day Services on June 1st 2010. I serve individuals with autism, down syndrome, communication disorders, and a few other diagnoses. I have been learning a lot, particularly how much paper-work is involved in keeping up a caseload, and having all the right approvals up to date, etc.

I am still trying to figure out how I use music therapy, you know? What is my style, my orientation, etc.

It has been tough figuring out if the current goals and objectives that were being worked on by the previous therapist, are really the biggest need of the client, or not.

Our plan is to stay here for two years at least. It has been hard being away from family, especially for my wife and the kids. I am more used to it, being on a mission before for two years. The video camera doesn't quite do it for the kids.

It is really hot here, and humid. It is definitley different than Utah, the people, culture, religion, standards, etc., etc., etc...

It has been really tough to figure out how to act professional, since I haven't been a "professional" for very long. I am so used to being a student, it is weird to have to act like I know what I am talking about.

Well, I will let you all go. Enough said for today.

Hope all is going well for y'all.

Scott Titensor, MT-BC

WRAMTA Conf. 2010

Hey there everyone! Long time no talk eh? I'm just wondering if any of you are planning on going to the western region conference this April in Las Vegas. And for you females out there, anyone going who would like to share a room? I haven't really checked prices or anything, so I really have no idea. I'm mostly just wondering if anyone is interested. I'd be fine with squeezing as many of us in one little room as possible. I like sleepovers, and I don't mind going a few days without much sleep. Or getting a lot of sleep. Anyway, let me know if you're interested. Because I am, and I'd love to see you all.

Also, there's cheap airfare (if you don't want to drive) on soutwest.com that is not too bad. click on their "ding" and download it. You'll get updates everyday on your desired locations. It just depends everyday, and each deal only lasts for that day, so you have to be quick about it. Anyway, let me know. I'd love to see everyone again!

-Brianne

Life After Internship...

It's really coming, the end. SO strange! What do you do when you don't have school to tell you what's next? Sorry if this post is wordy, I've just had a lot on my mind lately, and I'm curious as to what you all will think about it. Honestly, I need some advice. Maybe I should have taken that lame class in college, "Career and Life Planning," because right now I have no clue what I'm going to do!

I've loved my internship, and have definitely become more comfortable with going into people's homes. I'm thinking I may start my own business very similar to Music To Grow On. I'll be living in the Bay Area/Silicon Valley (Lance got a great job there, so we'll be there for at least 5 years). It's definitely a wealthy area... so how much do I charge per clinical hour? I know music therapists there that charge around 80 and hour. I would not feel comfortable with that considering how new I'll be. But I like the sound of 80 and hour, it has a nice ring to it, ya know?

And if I do start my own business... I don't know, what do I have to do? Paperwork? A name? I am not creative like that. Not a clue! I would not ever hire other people, too much management. Just me. Unless one of you wants to join me and we can be partners in crime!

Another thing is... I don't really want to work full time. Maybe it's the 45-50 hour work weeks I'm pulling to finish early, but it makes for a long day, and I do want to have kids some day. So maybe just like 15 clients? I don't know. Are any of you having these same thoughts? What are you planning on doing after your internship? Any ideas/advice for me? Yes, I have 4 weeks left, and I'm trying to figure out my life. After internship. Heaven help me, no one is there to tell me what to do next!

8 Weeks Left!!

Hey you guys! Sorry I've been a bum about updating!

I officially have less than two months left! YAY! It's been an amazing experience so far. I think my biggest lesson I am learning is how to be flexible! I love my population, the kids are so much fun. I was able to help present at the National Down Syndrome Conference this year, that was fun! I will be helping at the end of Oct with a presentation for Spanish families who have kids with disabilities. So I need to learn some spanish children's songs. Haha! That should be funny... My internship director is great and pretty laid back, but SO knowledgable! I'm also learning a lot of sign language, which is fun! I drive a ton, and know the Sacramento area better than I believe is normal. I've been able to use my flute with a few of the older clients I have. It's fun to see their eyes completely light up, when they're otherwise pretty unresponsive.

On another note, Lance got another job in Sunnyvale, CA. He started today, and he is living in our other apartment down there, while I finish up here. It's about a 2 hour drive away (in the Bay area), so we'll still see each other on weekends. He is working for a branch of the Department of Defense, The Defense Contract Auditing Agency. His office is only 5 minutes from our apartment in Santa Clara (a HUGE blessing considering how bad traffic is in the Bay area). I never thought in a million years that we'd be living in the bay area... but here we go! We'll be in California for at least another 5 years or so. I made Lance promise me that we'd move before any of our kids started school, as some of the public school policies here are offensive. Anyway, that's our update!

Utah State Developmental Center

Hola! I have finally started my internship at USDC (Utah State Developmental Center) in American Fork, with Alison Wendel MT-BC , as my Internship Director.

We have been living in Provo since July, waiting to start. It is tough living on savings, but I am sure that this experience will teach us something great that we can't even imagine.

We have met some wonderful people here in our new church ward. It is amazing how welcoming people can be to the newbie's.

I pretty much thought I would never get to this point, but here it is. I started on September 8th, 2009. Alison has been such a great internship director for me. She pushes me to do what I say I am going to do, and who I can become. She is very understanding about how difficult it can be to have family, and have an internship.

It has been tough to get used to the seemingly non-stop schedule of sessions, memorizing, etc. I am so glad that the individuals there are willing and open-minded about me working with them.

I just hope that I can become the therapist, that they need, by the end of my internship.

I will update, when I remember, how things are going.

Scott, Brittany, Ember, & Benson Titensor

Hello from NY

Hey everyone, it's Carrie. We got here to NY last Wednesday and I LOVE it out here!!!! It is so gorgeous and our apartment is surprisingly nice (even though it is kind of empty). I'm finally getting used to the humidity which is comparable to Florida, but we have AC so it's not too bad. I don't start my internship till next Monday, but I'm looking forward to getting in there and getting to work. I'm only about a three minute drive to the office, but I will probably be driving everywhere- thank you GPS. I think whoever did the streets here decided they wanted to make it as confusing as possible, no grid system, no logic, and streets change names as you go. I am grateful for technology. We went to church yesterday and when the organist found out I played piano and some organ she had me already playing in primary as a sub. She was one of the only piano players in the ward. I don't think I'm in Utah anymore:) Brianne, that's so cool you are already choosing your clients, have fun.Well, I'd love to hear from all of you so keep in touch!

Call for Internship Updates!

Hey all!

I miss everyone, and hope you all are doing well! Kind of crazy that we have been on the same path for four years, and now we're all moving in different directions!

I was just wondering how everyone's internships are going! Let's see, I think Elizabeth Jensen and Tatiana have also started their's. How are you guys doing? Liking it? Carrie, have you and Eric found housing?

Well, Lance and I are in an apartment about 20 minutes away from my internship. I never thought I would do so much driving! I am only in the clinic on average, for about an hour every day. Most of the clients are seen at their home. So my left arm is getting pretty tan from all of the driving. I love my internship! I get to finalize which clients I will be working with this week. I don't think I've ever heard of so many crazy diseases before, so I'm learning a lot. Anyway, I miss everyone and would love to hear updates!