Benefits of Being a Slytherin MT-BC
by Miranda Rex, MA, MT-BC
Slytherin gets a bad rap, but we are just as loving and compassionate as any other house. Here are just a few of the many benefits of being a Slytherin music therapist.
Benefit 1: Pride
I take a lot of pride in being a music therapist. I always make sure I’m on my game every session. Even if my day isn’t going great, I put that aside so that I can be 100% present for my client(s).
Benefit 2: Resourcefulness
Being able to think on the fly is a very valuable skill for music therapists – or for anyone who works with children, really! School days and routines can have an impact on their attitude, and their moods may change quickly. Being able to easily adapt to evolving situations makes these kinds of outside factors a little less stressful.
Benefit 3: Self-Preservation
Some may perceive this as a selfish trait, but I think it’s a mark of good self-awareness. I set firm boundaries and am not afraid to point out harmful words or actions. If a client/group is being disrespectful toward me, our instruments, or our time together, it is in everyone’s best interest to bring the session to halt – whether that means stopping and reevaluating and moving on, or ending the session early. There is no reason to put yourself or your clients in an even more stressful or upsetting situation. Slytherins know this!
Benefit 4: Fraternity
Brotherhood, togetherness, fellowship, whatever you want to call it. I’m a firm believer in humanistic, relationship-based therapy, so the bonds formed between my clients and me is crucial to our therapeutic process. That is what I cling to when things get challenging; if they don’t trust me or feel a kinship with me, how can I expect them to be their truest selves and/or be honest with me about what is going on? This applies to families as well!
Benefit 5: Ambition
I always want to better myself. I know that I am a lifelong learner, so I constantly take in new research or ideas that I can apply to my own work. Psych is a particular interest of mine, so I regularly and consistently seek out books about counseling or vignettes from therapists with whom I align theoretically. I’m even going back to school for counseling so I can be of better service to all of my clientele! I always want to be the best therapist I can be, which ties into pride as well as determination, another valuable Slytherin trait.
What Hogwarts house are you? And how do you think it influences your work as a therapist?
Miranda Rex, MA, MT-BC
