By Mackenzie Byerlee
Copy Editor
Music therapy is shaping the future of mental health in brighter and more creative ways. Alexis Sorrell, a senior music therapy major from Northford Connecticut, has always considered music to be a big part of her life.
“I did anything musical that I could,” Sorrell said. “I played the guitar, I took guitar and vocal lessons, anything that I could.”
Music therapy combines the traditional practices of therapy with innovative ideas that incorporate music and the power of their lyrics.
This requires professionals who have the emotional strength of a therapist as well as the ability to integrate creativity into their clients’ regimen.
Having such a passion has led her to a very bright future. Later this month, Sorrell will be the first student ever to receive a music therapy degree in the state of Connecticut.
This is not only a huge milestone for Sorrell, but for the university as a whole.
Being able to attend a school that is making history left and right is something all students at the university should be proud of.
That being said, Sorrell did not begin her academic career here. She was a student at Anna Maria College until their music therapy program unfortunately shut down.
Conveniently enough, this was exactly when the university was launching their music therapy program.
“As soon as I got inside the classes, I knew that I was in the right place,” Sorrell said.
In addition to her classes, this program does require an internship where she has learned a lot more about the field.
She mentioned that she is currently interning at a private practice where in the beginning of the week she works with adults that suffer from addiction and at the end of the week she is at a middle school helping kids with trauma.
Just like a traditional therapist, there are so many different ways that the music therapist can choose to go about their clients’ treatment.
Sorrell mentioned a few different methods that she does in her internship, such as lyric analysis and music journals.
These are both outlets that allow the clients, which in this specific scenario are kids, to tap into their creative side while still addressing their trauma.
“In one of them, it’s like a class that they go to, music therapy class and then the other rehab I go to, it’s also a part of their treatment and it’s optional,” Sorrell said. “They want to participate.”
For students like Sorrell, these programs have given them a chance to chase their dreams and go into the career they have always wanted.
These undergraduate degree programs, like the one offered at the university, allow for students to start their journey into their field and get to figure out what it is that they enjoy about it the most.
As far as her historical moment goes, Sorrell gets to carve the way for so many students to come, which is a privilege that she proudly gets to hold.
“I feel like that’s so exciting and I feel like it’s a great pathway for other people that want to pursue music therapy,” Sorrell said. “It’s an honor to be able to graduate with a music therapy degree.”
During her final few weeks as an undergraduate student, she is able to positively reflect on her time here and all that it has given her.
So, while everyone gets to watch Sorrell walk across the stage, she hopes that the legacy she is leaving behind will encourage more people to take a chance on music therapy and allow themselves to try something new.
