Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Graham.
Samantha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a senior in high school, people were asking me where I was going to college and what I was going to study and the truth is I had no idea what I wanted to do – I felt very lost. I knew what my interests were, but no singular career path sounded ideal to me. I confided in one of my high school choir directors and she asked if I had ever heard of “music therapy”. I hadn’t, but my interest was immediately sparked.
I went home, googled “music therapy”, and found a video of a man with dementia who was mostly nonverbal. Someone at his residence played a song by Cab Calloway (which he listened to when he was a young adult), and everything about him seemed to transform. His effect improved considerably and he was able to hold a conversation for about an hour after that. I knew that music was a powerful force in mine and many peoples’ lives, but I wasn’t aware that it can truly be utilized as a therapeutic medium with evidence to back it up. After reading more about the field on musictherapy.org, I knew this was the path for me.
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy in 2017 and interned with Heart and Harmony here in DFW as part of my degree requirements. After years of being a fascinated student, I was able to fall in love with the work as a clinician. I was fortunate enough to be offered a position with Heart and Harmony after receiving my board-certification and I have had the privilege to work with this outstanding team ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
I was an average student in high school, but my passion for the subject allowed me to be a very dedicated, driven, and hardworking college student. That’s not to say that being a music major is easy. There are a lot of hours put into practice and rehearsals that are not counted as credit, but still have a bearing on your success and reputation in school.
One of my biggest challenges as an intern and professional music therapist was to shift my perspective. Being a music major lends itself to perfectionism and the desire to be “the best”. Shifting away from my role as a student and performer to the role of a therapist was difficult because I became hung up on my skills, not being perfect. There is also a shift in perspective that has to happen when becoming a therapist because theory does not always equate to practice. I had to learn that my client’s overall experience and well being is more important than the data we are required to take, which quantifies their growth.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Our owner and founder, Nikki Belshe, has established and maintained a successful company that genuinely cares for its clients and employees. I can’t say enough good things about her as a boss and a mentor.
We are a music therapy private practice that serves people in their homes and facilities all over the metroplex. Most of our clients are seen through the CLASS waiver, which provides free in-home therapy services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the state of Texas. We also have private pay clients with varying diagnoses and provide group therapy in behavioral health facilities, neuro-rehabilitation facilities, addiction rehabilitation facilities, and centers for children and adolescents with autism. One population I am very excited to do more work with is those experiencing pregnancy and childbirth. Three of our therapists (including me) are trained in Music Therapy Assisted Child Birth as well as Birth Music Consultation.
One of the things I am most proud of is that everyone on our team values growth. We are all passionate about continuing to better ourselves as therapists and people, and we are always looking for ways to better serve our clients, their families, and our community as a whole.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe our city is a great place for music therapy as people in our community understand the value of music and art performance and education. Music therapy is a lesser-known practice that needs more advocacy, as it is a beneficial service to many.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartandharmony.com/
- Phone: (817) 458-8813
- Email: nikki@heartandharmony.com
- Instagram: @heartandharmony
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartandharmony/
Image Credit:
Christina Childress Photography
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