Why Therapy?

My mother passed away just over a year ago after being seriously ill for about six months. I witnessed many things that I hope you will never see. I felt the loneliness of the elderly, many of whom seemed forgotten. I visited my mother every other day and the residents got so used to seeing me that they thought I worked there. I saw how important it was to those with dementia just to see another person, to hear music, to have a moment of special attention.

I knew that my mother always loved music, particularly church music. After her first stroke, she barely communicated, but when I played music on my cell phone or sang from her old hymnal, she very clearly responded. Her eyes would flutter open and she even tried to sing.  After she was transferred to an assisted living facility, I developed a habit of singing her favorite hymns to her for a short while each day after bringing her back to her room after breakfast. Little did I realize that I was providing a little therapy to her!  I only knew it made her happy. 

Once her illness progressed, and hospice was called, I came several times a day, each time playing her favorite hymns and religious music on my cell phone. I know that she heard it, and that it made things a little better for her during those difficult times.

But after she was gone, the memory of my mother’s music faded…until now.

If you read my earlier posts, you know that I was in search of a new instrument to play. When I began my research and finally chose the harp, I came upon several websites that explained the concept of harp therapy.  Something crystalized in me.  It became clear - learning the harp as an instrument of therapy was the path I should take.

Harp therapy requires special training, and ideally certification.  I really wanted to do things right, so this meant not only learning to play, but also learning the specific techniques used for harp therapy.  There are four programs accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (http://www.nsbtm.org/).  Two of the four programs would require significant travel for me, so I looked more closely at the other two:  Harp for Healing https://www.harpforhealing.com/, and Harp Therapy International http://www.harptherapyinternational.com/ . Take a look and see which one interests you most.

All of the programs require some proficiency in harp before you can begin. This is because you will be learning about the therapy techniques, and won’t have time to begin a new instrument at that point. Each program has suggested curriculum for harp instruction. Harp for Healing suggests that you complete all three levels of Verlene Schermer's Harp Newbies:  http://www.verlene.com/newbielesson1.html.  Harp Therapy International uses the training materials found here:  http://www.emeraldharp.com/rainbow-of-sound-books-dvds/  and   http://www.emeraldharp.com/creative-harp-series-1-10/online-streaming-creative-harp-series-1-10/ . Each program uses its own approach, so see which one might work best in your own situation.  I think that either – or even both – would be a good choice.  Yes, there people who complete both!  I think this makes some sense, because continuing education credits are required by all accredited programs.

At the present, I am working towards entering the Harp for Healing curriculum.  I must admit that part of this decision was cost.  But I also have great appreciation for the kind and helpful advice that I’ve received from this group and also Verlene Schermer.  Because of finances, I haven’t directly contacted the representatives from other training methods – didn’t want to take up their time if I felt it would be a stretch for me.  But I don’t want to make my decision final just yet.  I see great merit in both Harp for Healing and Harp Therapy International.