Licensed professional counselors Johanna Dwinells and Sarah Bryski-Hamrick are slowly demystifying and destigmatizing therapy, one episode at a time. Recording and living in the Philadelphia area, Johanna and Sarah work to make therapy feel more accessible, with quirky, sometimes intrusive questions that reveal the human side of healthcare professionals, all while they overcome their own anxieties and internalized stigmas. 

TW: Abuse and neglect of the mentally ill. 

Episode summary: Johanna and Sarah discuss adjusting to life as the world opens up, horror movies and TV. They read about the history of Long Term Structured Residence (LTSR) facilities in Philadelphia, the closure of The Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry State that made LTSRs necessary, the history of nursing and rehab centers, and the history of music therapy treatment for mental health. Music therapist, musician, self-described nerd and their former classmate, Matt Page discusses the benefits of music therapy in treating mental illness, adjusting his treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, coming to terms with his white identity as a clinician, and how her performance background steered her towards becoming a board certified music therapist. 

Guest Bio: Matt Page (he/him) is a board-certified music therapist and a graduate of Drexel's Creative Arts Therapy program. He has dedicated his time studying mental health and has been a music therapist within a nursing and rehabilitation center as well a psychotherapist at a long-term structured residence for adults experiencing chronic mental illness. His practice includes creating an inclusive space to amplify others' voices and foster self-empowerment. Matt's approach is trauma-informed, intersectional, and strives for cultural humility. In his personal life Matt adores coffee and his life partner of over 15 years, is a self-described nerd, sings in an all-male chorus, plays trumpet and piano, is a cat daddy, ASMR enthusiast, disc golfer, hiker and biker.

Sources for today’s History Lesson: meadowridge.com; Wikipedia; aplaceformom.com; dbhids.org; “Music Therapy’s Development in Mental Healthcare: A Historical Consideration of Early Ideas and Intersecting Agents” - Tríona McCaffrey; inquirer.com

Resources: 

Southern Poverty Law Center - https://www.splcenter.org/

Ending virtual-school oppression

Celebrating PRIDE month

Immigrant rights

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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800-273-8255

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