A trauma-informed piano studio? Is there such a thing?
Yes, because I am starting one.
What is a trauma-informed piano studio? What is the difference?
It simply means I am mindfully and deliberately creating a safe physical and emotional space for students who have experienced trauma. I have recognized the impact of trauma on the lives of my students (and mine). Relational trauma can only be healed through relationships. In using some techniques I have learned, I am able to give these students and myself a voice again.
Are you a counselor, therapist or what?
No, I am not a counselor or therapist, but I see myself as someone who can apply first aid. If someone is bleeding, I would hold pressure on the wound and call 911. If someone collapsed, start CPR and call 911. If someone is choking, do a Heimlich maneuver and call 911. I don't just stand by and not act in my capacity and training, just because I'm not an EMT!! So if a student is triggered, I could apply emotional first aid, (enough for me to continue the lesson hopefully) until he or she can get to professional help.
Why the paradigm shift? What made you change your studio?
My own child had lots of behavioral challenges as a toddler. I knew it was not autism and not a spectrum disorder. I was stumped and felt completely helpless as a mom and a teacher. One day I caught part of a radio program by Focus on the Family, and it was featuring the late Dr. Karyn Purvis. She mentioned that rewiring the brain was possible for children with early childhood trauma. She listed some factors and my child fit the description. I started looking for a practitioner of Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R), developed by Dr. Purvis and Dr. David Cross of TCU.
I also had a few students whom I knew had childhood trauma so I had to learn to connect and relate to them as well. I worked with a therapist for weekly 18 months, individually and with my child. I had to put what I learned into practice for myself, at home and in the studio. The joy and laughter returned to my home and my studio.
What exactly is Trust-Based Relational Intervention(R) (TBRI)?
I'm going to post the definition of TBRI from http://child.tcu.edu
"TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection."
There is a difference between fear-based behaviors and misbehavior?
Yes, there is. Sometimes I get it right and sometimes I don't. Research shows I only have between 3-20 secs to decide and respond to a behavior. Is the student dysregulated (hungry, thirsty, seeking or avoiding sensory input)? Are they getting anxious? Punishment-based correction tends to backfire, so I'm making the shift. Some of the ways I can respond include giving the child a voice, meeting physical needs and giving appropriate sensory input.
You do all that in a 30-minute piano lesson??? Where do you get the time?
You're right, where do I have the time? I have no time to waste for my instruction and music-making. I usually take the first few minutes of the lesson to teach self-regulation skills. If I respond to the dysregulation appropriately, I will be able to continue the lesson. If a piece of chewing gum is need for sensory input and to trigger a calming response, sure, why not? Better to chew gum than for me to be a punching bag ;) and we both stay connected to each other. Trust builds. We make music. It's a win-win!
