Tag: team

Meet the Clinician: Sean FitzGerald, MT-BC

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Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have Sean FitzGerald, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and I’ve been in this position since last July.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I was a jazz voice primary.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

So I had an awkward college journey (laughs). I started as a microbiology major then switched to music therapy and transferred schools. That was a tough transition because it felt like I was leaving family behind. So learning how to be resilient and adapt to my new school, new city, and everything that comes with moving really came into play once I got to Temple. My time there was spent really learning how to adapt and mold myself to different situations and make my environment work for me. That resiliency definitely finds itself coming into my clinical work. 

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

My strengths are Developer, Empathy, Restorative, Positivity, Individualistic, and Includer. And they all obviously play into my work – I’m a huge empath. I always just want to make everybody feel good, make sure everybody’s chilling. And doing that in the context of a session is so impactful, it sets the tone for everyone to be their best selves! Then incorporating that element of Inclusion seals the deal. The Developer strength fits me super well because I have a very analytical mind – I like to break things down and I’ve learned that I can think really quickly because of this strength.  Then in sessions, I’m able to implement that ability to process events quickly by constantly revising what I’m presenting.

What drew you to music therapy?

I was talking with a friend from home who was going to the University of Miami for music therapy and I didn’t know what music therapy was at that point. She explained how it was like an intersection between music and psychology and I remember thinking, “That’s amazing”. It also came at a great time because I was at a crossroad with microbiology, I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I did some more research on music therapy and decided to transfer the next semester.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

Being able to be a consistent person is people’s lives is the most rewarding part for me. There are a lot of people that are burned out in the various systems they’re in, so being able to come in and provide some positivity, even if it’s bi-weekly or monthly, is really nice. 

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I play a lot of “Blue Suede Shoes” because I’ve turned it into a shaker song (laughs). That one is a lot of fun. I also love playing “You Are My Sunshine” especially in sessions with older adults, because that’s a song everyone knows, no matter what. Everybody sings it and it’s just so lovely to see everyone light up because they’re like, “I know this song!”

Do you have a proud moment within your music therapy journey so far?

I was working with a client who engaged in self-injurious behaviors and their goal was to decrease this behavior for a certain amount of sessions in a row – and we got through four or five sessions in a row without the behavior! 

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I listen to a lot of NBA podcasts and I’m currently reading Game of Thrones (inspired by Billie!) I was binge-watching Jeopardy at once point – it’s really fun to watch trivia shows and see which ones you can get right! I also play a lot of video games – I’m currently playing Apex Legends, which is always a good time.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

“Difficult is not impossible.” It’s from a Relient K song, if you know who they are!

What do you do outside of work?

I go out to trivia with my cousins pretty often! Other than that, I go on hikes, play Ultimate Frisbee, and hang out with my cat, Simon.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Mr. Happy! 

What’s your coffee order?

Just a regular coffee with cream and sugar. 

What would be the title of your memoir?

oof. (laughs)

Three words to describe your job?

Fun, Challenging, Engaging.

Meet the Clinician: AJ Gaudreau, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have AJ Gaudreau, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and I’ve been in this position since September of 2021. I was also an intern with RMTS from January to August of 2020, and after internship, I joined the team as a Fee For Service Music Therapist for several months.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. I was involved with the Mid-Atlantic Students Organization during my college years. My performance area was classical voice!

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

One of the biggest takeaways I got from my time at Elizabethtown was being an observer. Really focusing on how the music is influencing the client, whether it was emotionally, verbally, behaviorally, etc. It gave a lot of perspective on the different philosophies within music therapy – it helped me to find the perspectives I do identify with as a clinician.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

My strengths are Developer, WOO (Winning Over Others), Empathy, Includer, and Communication. I definitely see Developer in my number one spot  – as therapists we are working on identifying our clients’ strengths and needs and utilize their strengths in a way that is going to address their needs through music. The Developer strength is one I really resonate with, especially when thinking about developing and addressing clients’ strengths. My other strengths really reflect the significance of my relationships with other people as well. I identify very strongly with having those emotional and relationship-building skills in order to promote the strong bonds with everyone I interact with.

What drew you to music therapy?

I had discovered music therapy my sophomore year of high school in a career exploration and it led me down a research rabbit hole. I remember thinking, Oh? This is a thing? I knew I always wanted to go into human service, I was also considering social work at one point, so learning that I could combine music and my love of service work, I was like, Sign me up!

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

I love that I can share my work with others. The very human experiences that I’m able to bear witness to through music is … I don’t like using the word “magical”, but it does feel magical!

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

Hound Dog, Rock Around the Clock, anything with a blues pattern! I love to vocal improv with my clients to Blues songs. I also love My Wild Irish Rose, Edelweiss, waltzy feel songs. And anything by The Beatles!

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Taking more of a leadership role within the company’s program development. But also working in the educational settings has been a huge area of professional development – with programmatic classroom services, IEP work, conducting a SEMTAP (Special Education Music Therapy Assessment Process). Also for me, this is the first real job and so the fact that I’m here and doing this work is something I’m really proud of.

Any personal growth stories?

I’ve definitely grown in professional – and general self-acceptance. Knowing my limitations while also being able to channel them in a way that is productive and beneficial for myself. There’s been a lot of positive change because of this self-acceptance over the past year.

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

I think that I can always go bigger! (laughs) Every time I think, this is  a lot, I don’t think I can top this, I always do! I have much more capacity than I give myself credit for.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I am obsessed with Lord of the Rings. Anything by Tolkien is an instant win for me. I love anything that’s fantasy related… Princess Bride is also a favorite. I also listen to a lot of podcasts about organization and world history.

What do you do outside of work?

I like to hike, play board games (Dungeons and Dragons), and I’m involved in community theatre. And I love to spend time with others!

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

  Little Miss Sparkle!

What’s your coffee order?

An iced latte with hazelnut and mocha.

What would be the title of your memoir?

I’ll Figure It Out. (laughs) Because I can never commit to one thing, I’ll just figure it out eventually.

Three words to describe your job?

Collaborative. Forward. Compassionate.

Meet the Administrative Team: Jennifer Ray

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Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Today, we have Jennifer Ray.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I am the Senior Support Specialist and I’ve been with RMTS for seven years.

What university or college did you go to?

I went to UMass Amherst and I got my BA in English!

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into who you are today?

The process of having to closely read things, interpret them, then critically discuss them has helped me develop a muscle for dialogue with people. My degree has certainly helped me to frame other people’s interpretations of things and has provided me with a basis of how to have healthy debate with people who have different opinions than my own. I also took some technical writing courses, so I have a lot of skills that people may take for granted, like writing a cover letter or resume, constructing a business memo, things like that.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Empathy, Individualization, Input, Intellection, and Learner.

It’s not really denoted by my title, but I do a lot of the HR (Human Resources) things here. I’ve been to a lot of HR conferences where people talk about how they’re kind of the “necessary villain” in every organization. But I’m always like, What about the good stuff? You get to pay people every week, you’re the facilitator of benefits, all the good, nitty gritty parts about being an employee. Empathy definitely comes into play when you are in the Human Resources sector of a company. I can imagine and put myself in other people’s shoes when working with their specific situation. Also, I have Learner as a top strength, which has really helped me do this work because HR is not something I had experience with prior to this job. Being the person who really enjoys finding new information and collecting knowledge has definitely been helpful.

What drew you to RMTS?

I was working in full-time in Boston as an intake manager for a large psychology firm when I got pregnant with my second child and decided I would take time off after he was born. I left my position with the psychology firm and had extra time to spend with my daughter, who was only two at the time. I started taking Sprouting Melodies classes with her here in the Wakefield office and loved it! I was also on the RMTS newsletter at the time and they announced that the front desk coordinator at the time was leaving. My friend, who also took Sprouting Melodies with myself and my daughter, was like, “Did you see the job posting, it’s part-time!”. I applied, interviewed with Meredith and the office manager at the time, and the rest was history!

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

I really enjoy the times that I get to connect with the team and help them through some of the “grown up stuff” they’re doing for the first time, such as signing up for a retirement plan, navigating health insurance, and being on team interviews. Helping newer professionals develop these skills that they will need as they grow and mentoring them on their leadership journeys is really rewarding.

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Taking on this role has been a huge professional development for me! This is the first time I’ve taken a position that hasn’t really existed before, so building a framework for what this job looks like was a huge undertaking. It’s been a lot of overcoming my imposter syndrome and saying to myself, “I can figure this out. And not only can I figure this out, I can actually do it and do it successfully!”

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

Branching out, for sure. I don’t think I ever intended to do what I’m doing right now, so just being open to all the shifting and changing and opportunities as they become available has been a surprise. Also, it’s been surprising to realize that I really like this part of the business and I like all the responsibilities that fall under human resources.

What are your roles and responsibilities as Senior Support Staff?

What do I do? That’s a good question (laughs). Well, I write job descriptions as we hire new positions and I take those descriptions and make them into job postings and put them out into the world! I then watch those postings, field any resumes or applications we may get, then screen the applicants. I also do the initial job interviews over the phone, set up group interviews, and I am a part of said group interviews. Once applicants join our team, I am their first point of contact for onboarding. I schedule our 360 Reviews, write performance appraisals, enroll employees in benefits (such as health insurance). I also process payroll every week, log our team’s hours, and lots of trainings. I think there’s more, but that’s also a lot (laughs).

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

I have a weird proudest moment (laughs). It wasn’t anything that I actively did for RMTS, but weathering the storm that was the beginning of the pandemic without completely losing my sanity. I was working while also teaching elementary school things to my second grader while also occupying my preschooler busy! But also coming out of that period of time with a renewed sense of purpose and acknowledging where and how I want to use my energy.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

Okay, let’s start off with podcasts! I love Serial and Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids. I listen to the Greek mythology podcast with my kids on long car trips. I loved X-Files back in the day and I’m also currently watching White Lotus on HBO. I love Disney movies, I watch them with the kids, too. I’ve got too many favorites to count!

What do you do outside of work?

I just joined an adult field hockey team! I used to play in high school and I haven’t played since, so I’m excited to start it up again. I also read and write and I’m going for my Master’s degree in teaching!

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Little Miss Busy!

 

What’s your coffee order?

Well, in the fall it’s a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks. When there’s no pumpkin spice to be had, it’s sometimes an iced London Fog tea or an iced coffee with a splash of cream.

What would be the title of your memoir?

I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Have It Figured Out.

Three words to describe your job?

Essential, Interesting, Uplifting.

Meet the Clinician: Billie Junget, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Welcome back to Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! Next, we have Billie Junget, MT-BC.

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I’m a Staff Music Therapist and the Programmatic Services Trainer. I started my time with RMTS during internship and I’ve been with the team for about three years.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Charleston Southern University in South Carolina as a euphonium and percussion primary.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

The clinical work I experienced and then the application of that clinical work in my music therapy coursework has definitely contributed to my therapeutic skills now. I was also big into marching band and drumline, so being a part of those ensembles really encouraged my flexibility and adaptability within group settings.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Empathy, Intellection, Adaptability, Positivity, and Developer. Empathy plays a huge role in the work I do, and also in the greater scheme of my life. I always try to meet people where they are and put myself in other’s shoes. I also find that these strengths play into my listening skills – I like being able to hold space for others in my professional work and in my personal life.

What drew you to music therapy?

I knew I wanted to go into music, but I didn’t want to teach and I didn’t want to perform. But then I learned about music therapy and the way the field uses music to reach goals and make non-musical connections, and that’s what really stuck out to me. Just knowing I can facilitate music and work with it in a way that other professions don’t get to do. Music therapy helps us find our voice and access music in a different way – it’s not just music for personal use, but for everyone.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

The beautiful connections we have with the people we serve. There aren’t a lot of other professions that get to experience music in the way we do and it’s so profound! It’s funny because I see some of my clients more than I see my friends and family (laughs) but that speaks to the impact of the work we do. The smiles on our community’s faces when they enter the musical space – that’s the most rewarding part.

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I love playing anything by The Beatles. I also love Rockin’ Robin and Dancing Kids (a favorite song here at RMTS)!

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

Professional development is such a big part of our team culture that I can’t pick just one story! I think that an area of my professional development that is cool to share is my journey of stepping into the Interim Internship Director role. Going from being an intern with this company to being able to support a current intern was so unexpected, but again – that speaks to my Adaptability strength! Also, now that I am a trainer on the team, it’s been amazing to help facilitate others’ growth within our team.

Any personal growth stories?

In my recent switch to being a full-time clinician, I’ve had to create new organizational systems that work for me and the roles that I’m in. I’ve definitely grown in my ability to find ways to maximize my workflow and organize my time.

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

This is a hard one! I think I’ve surprised myself by just – throwing myself into things. For example, I was never a singer, but now I sing all day, every day! Also wanting to do new things and strengthening areas of growth within myself has also been very surprising.

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

I’m really proud of the Weekly Wins board I started! It’s a space for the team to celebrate our wins and ourselves. I’m also proud of the presentations I’ve been able to share with the team, which fits into my Intellection strength! Being able to share my knowledge and teach others something new is something I’m definitely proud of.

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

I’m a big “Game of Thrones” fan. I watched the show first and got hooked, then I read the books (and are re-reading them!). Watching the show first definitely helped me keep track of all the characters in the book. I’m also watching Legendary, it’s a vogue/ballroom dance show that’s so fun.

Favorite quote?

“If nothing ever moves, put that needle to the groove and sing.” – Dr. Dog, The Breeze

What do you do outside of work?

I just like being a Taurus (laughs). I like relaxing, hammocking in different parks, and long-boarding.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Little Miss Can’t Parallel Park. It’s not a real Mr. Men/Little Miss character, but it’s the one I most identify as (laughs).

What’s your coffee order?

So I don’t really drink coffee/caffeine, but when I’m at Dunkin’, I love a good iced tea lemonade. Raspberry, specifically.

What would be the title of your memoir?

Shamrock and Roll. or… Rhythm and Blues.

Three words to describe your job?

Lead. Connect. Grow.

Meet the Clinician: Emily Hawley, MT-BC

Posted on by Favor Chujor

Hello and welcome to the first installment of Roman Music Therapy Services’ Meet the Team interviews! Through this series, we will be introducing you to each member of our team, from Music Therapist to Programmatic Specialist, from Administrative Team to our Faculty Supervisor. This is for you to get to know our team, inside and out! First off, we have Emily Hawley, MT-BC.

 

What is your role on the team and how long have you been with RMTS?

I am one of the Lead Music Therapists and I’ve been with RMTS just under three years.

What university or college did you go to? What was your primary instrument?

I went to Anna Maria College and I was a vocalist.

How did your undergraduate experience help to shape you into the therapist you are today?

During my senior year, there was a lot of focus on self-care of the therapist, along with self-awareness. The self-awareness piece of being a therapist is huge for me. I had a really close-knit cohort, it was a super supportive environment. Plus, we had a lot of opportunities for networking.

What are your StrengthsFinder strengths and how do they play a part in the work you do?

Restorative, Ideation, Input, Adaptability, and Empathy. I’m definitely a creative problem solver, which is where the Restorative strength comes in. With Input, I love learning more and taking in as much information as possible. And Empathy obviously comes into play with the work that I do, being a part of a team has empowered this strength, too.

What drew you to music therapy?

I went to an arts high school part-time and took my music classes there. My choir director’s sister is a music therapist and came in to talk to us about music therapy, which was the first time I heard about it. When it was time to think about what I wanted to do after high school, I was looking on the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association) website and found the definition of music therapy and also what a music therapist could look like. I felt like the description sounded like me! (laughs) I love people, psychology, and music, so it felt like a good fit.

What is the most rewarding part of the work?

Seeing clients’ growth throughout the process. Also seeing the skills that they do differently, or even better (!), when music is a part of their support system.

What are your favorite song(s) to play in sessions?

I love playing a mashup of “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles and “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, that’s a fun one. I also love to improvise and finding new songs through the improvisation.

Do you have any professional development stories you’d like to share?

The biggest area I’ve grown professionally is definitely in my administrative skills! With learning to get organized, I’m truly understanding the full picture of what it means to be a music therapist, outside of clinic work. Also taking initiative, advocating for clients, getting my documentation in on time, communication, all of those administrative things.

Any personal growth stories?

A few years ago, a colleague said, “You would be great as a supervisor or lead music therapist!” and that was a role I didn’t think I would have the skills to do, but now, here I am in that role! I’ve grown a lot in my clinical skills and administrative skills. Also, being a part of this collaborative environment. There’s been a lot of growth!

How have you surprised yourself since joining this team?

Being a supervisor to practicum students. There’s always that initial fear of like, “Do I really have enough knowledge to offer these students?” but then, I realized that I did and it’s been great.

What is your proudest moment within the company so far?

Again, I am really proud of my organizational skills and self-discipline. I’m really proud of getting this promotion (as Lead Music Therapist), my full caseload, but always getting my notes in on time and fulfilling everything I need to do!

Favorite books, shows, movies, or podcasts?

Criminal Minds, that’s been my show for a little bit. And reality dating shows (laughs). I don’t listen to podcasts a ton, but when I do, they’re spirituality-based.

Favorite quote?

“The world is big, I am small. My problems are small, so why am I worried?” That quote always helps to put things in perspective for me.

What do you do outside of work?

I like to eat! I also like to spend time with my family, especially my nieces. Going swimming, relaxing, all that good stuff.

Which Mr. Men/Little Miss character are you?

Mr. Happy T-Shirt   Mr. Happy!

What’s your coffee order?

A medium iced mocha, extra extra cream and sugar. I actually started drinking coffee when Dunkin’ had a pistachio/mocha flavor, but they don’t have it anymore (laughs). But that would be the preferred order.

What would be the title of your memoir?

Resilience.

Three words to describe your job?

Meaningful. Collaborative. Supportive.