We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Lomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

So the early days of my practice were such an eye opening experience. I am not sure there was even a huge time gap from “hmmmmm, this could be a thing” to “wow I actually have a client.” I just knew I needed a change and I knew what my skill set was so I just started googling steps to open a business. We are not given training in opening a business while in school for music therapy so I really felt like I was learning a whole new job most of the time. Some things were super easy like what to name it and how to get a tax number and others were much more difficult like logo designs, start up costs, location, taxes, etc. Once I was up and rolling with the private practices, there were some really unexpected challenges like staying on top of paperwork when there was no set schedule for work, feeling like you had to answer every phone call and email immediately no matter what else was going on because you cant afford to lose a client, and learning to accept failure.
If I could go back and do it all again I can honestly say I would have sought help from professionals early on like accountants, small business advisors, and legal counsel. I would also have pursued digital options for things much quicker.
If I could give any advise it would be this, take the chance if its something you are passionate about! People respond to passion. They want to know you love what you do and love the clientele you serve. If you show that to your community and are willing to hustle you will do alright with a private practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My first experience with the power of music was when I was a child. My Autistic brother who is consider non-verbal yet surprised my family by knowing the words to children’s songs, songs from movies and songs from church. Little kid me thought it was very cool that the music stayed with him. Fast forward a few years to teenage me, working at a summer camp for Autistic people I meet a few college students and their professor who were music therapists and it just made sense. I obtained my bachelor and master degrees in music therapy and have been working in the music therapy industry since 2010. Through my private practice I provide group/individual music therapy and private/group music lessons on piano, violin, guitar, and ukulele. I also provide the opportunity for college students to obtain clinical training as they pursue their degrees.
Music therapy can be used to help clients promote wellness, manage stress/anxiety, improve feelings on quality of life, socialize, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, promote physical rehabilitation. Sessions are designed around the needs of the client

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am sure most of us can share a story from the pandemic that highlights a way we were resilient. Businesswise for me I found it to be a huge test of my fortitude and adaptability. At the time that we went into lockdown in Louisiana I had been full time at my private practice for about a little over a year and things were going so well. I had a great location, a growing caseload, and an intern. Then overnight I had nothing. The music school I was renting from closed permanently and with them went most of the supplies and equipment I used for my work and now we were all required to stay home. After two weeks of planning and prepping I was able to get music boxes to all my clients and become a telehealth music therapist. I will admit it was very rocky in the beginning and online services have come along way from what they were. Within three months I had found a new office space that was solely mine, built up a good collection of supplies, and unfortunately spent all my business savings to do so. However, I began seeing people in person again on an individual basis and through telehealth platforms. It has been amazing to watch my business grow from that point!

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I would say some of the most helpful things to succeed in music therapy are…. 1) Creativity! The ability to look at an activity and modify it as necessary or the ability to use look at an item and get as much use out of it as you can.
2) Passion! Many times we are educating the public about what we do. The best sales people are the ones who really know their product and passionately believe in it.

Contact Info:

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