April
Seasons Hospice Foundation (SHF)

Our Internship Program
At Seasons Hospice Foundation (SHF) we strive to offer uniquely rewarding Music Therapy Internship experiences, including the opportunity to serve at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care (SHPC) programs. The contributions our interns make are valuable, which is why they are included in the same meetings and consultations as employees. Music Therapy Interns are provided many opportunities to learn from experienced staff, and the chance to contribute their own unique insight. They improve their psychosocial care skills as they are exposed to a variety of clinical settings and diagnoses. In addition, Music Therapy Interns will learn electronic medical record documentation under the close supervision of SHPC staff members.

We are proud of the role we play in training students to understand and care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses, and consider an internship a success if an intern leaves feeling as if they were treated as a valued, equal part of the SHF and SHPC teams.

Compensation
Interns with a start date of January 1, 2015 or later will receive a stipend of $3,000, as well as mileage reimbursement.

Internship Availability
The following locations are on the National Roster list, and accept interns on a quarterly basis in accordance with supervisor availability and census level.

Application Process
Students interested in completing a Music Therapy Internship with Seasons Hospice Foundation are required to submit:

• An online application
• A copy of an updated resume
• A letter explaining why they are interested in completing their internship in a hospice setting
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which must state the date that the student is eligible to begin their internship

To complete an online application, go to www.seasons.org, click on “Join the Seasons Team,” and search for available internship opportunities.

Letters of recommendation can be uploaded as part of the online application process, or can be sent to Erin Maloney, Internship Coordinator, at emaloney@seasons.org / Fax: 847-375-2614.

Audition Process
Our audition process is structured and facilitated as an interview for placement. We offer the options for in-person interviews in our office locations, as well as the flexibility to interview virtually (Skype, etc.) for students in other geographic locations and unable to travel. The interview allows us to paint the picture of what the internship experience will be like from the moment they enter orientation to their eventual completion of the program. It also allows us to review all of the special music therapy projects our interns can become involved with during their training, such as children’s bereavement groups, community in-services, memorial services, etc. This process also allows candidates to ask their own questions about our clinical training program as they decide if this is the right placement for them as well. When we have current interns on-site we like to involve them in the interview, and spend some time with the candidate sharing their own experiences with interning at Seasons.

Part of the interview process is to review the clinical training experiences each student has had at the pre-internship level, and also gain a sense of their musical presence & competency level. We typically ask students to be prepared in sharing a handful of musical selections that are relevant to end-of-life care (e.g. thematic lyrical content related to hope, love, loss, spirituality, etc.; soothing instrumental pieces; etc.). We like to see a good variety of accompaniment patterns, improvisational skills, and executed on a number of instruments when possible. We’ll often ask the candidates to describe ways their chosen musical selections may be applied in a therapeutic context with patients and caregivers to address physical, emotional and/or spiritual goals. Students that opt for distance interviews are requested to video-tape their musical selections and email them in electronic files prior to their scheduled date for the virtual interview.

Questions
Questions regarding our application process and available internship opportunities can be directed to: 

Erin Maloney, Internship Coordinator

Ph: 617.631.7273 |Fax: 847-375-2614

EMaloney@Seasons.org

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March

Arts and Services for Disabled (ASD), California

About Arts and Services for Disabled:

Arts and Services for Disabled is a day program for adults with developmental disabilities (both physical and cognitive). The primary mission of Arts and Services for Disabled is to promote life-long learning. ASD programs run from 8:30am-3:30pm Monday through Friday. ASD has four facilities in the LA area: ART center (Long Beach), TAPII (Gardena), EPI (Hawthorne), and CECA (Hawthorne). All four programs run similarly and under the same philosophy of “Love before Learning”. ASD offers music and art classes which can function as music and art therapy sessions. Each program can serve up to twenty-five students, and staff members range from about nine to twelve. Two to three staff members at each facility are music therapists. The program functions similarly to a school schedule. There are four tracks during the day, in which classes are held, and there are two semesters in a year. Each semester, an art gallery opening is held to display student’s art. At the openings, music therapy interns provide background music with their major instrument. ASD also has a mobile store, Go! Store, to sell original student products to the community.

A Day in the Life of an Intern:

Music therapy interns are treated as a staff member. There is one music therapy intern at each of the four programs, so interns do not work with each other directly. Each program runs under the same basic principles, but there are differences. Therefore, I can only speak to my experience at CECA (in Hawthorne, CA). Each semester starts in either January or June. The intern is assigned to co-teach two classes (usually one music class and one art class), and to lead a music class independently. In the first week of the internship, the intern develops his or her class description, including goals, objectives, and materials needed. The intern then develops a pre-test and assesses each student in the class.

Once pre-testing is finished, the semester begins with a typical schedule. The intern assists or leads welcome activities, then co-leads two classes before lunchtime. The lesson plans and teaching duties are shared between the intern and other instructors. During lunchtime, each staff member is assigned to a table, and the intern assists in feeding students. After staff lunchtime, the intern leads a class independently.

In addition to classes, the intern is required to read several books relevant to the population, read research articles, write a literature review, conduct a case study and complete a grant proposal. For the case study, the intern chooses one student, develops a research design, and implements the method throughout the semester.

More Information?

Go to www.artsandservices.org to find more information about the programs, the internship application, and deadlines. 

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February
Metropolitan State Hospital, Norwalk, California 

“The internship at Metropolitan State Hospital provides you with a high-quality internship experience, which prepares you for working in Music Therapy in the psychiatric setting. What I appreciate about this internship are the opportunities to co-lead with several Music Therapists with differing approaches and orientations. This internship also provides the opportunity to conduct Music ZTherapy research, which provides the opportunity to improve your written and verbal communication skills. Overall, this is an enjoyable internship that challenges you to improve your Music Therapy skills and prepares you for the real world.”

LOCATION
Metropolitan State Hospital is located at 11401 Bloomfield Avenue, Norwalk, California in Los Angeles County.  It has served as an integral part of the California Mental Health System since the early 1900’s. Today Metropolitan State Hospital rests on 161.2 acres of land, has 112 structures, 18 units and 7 1/2 miles of road within the hospital grounds.

POPULATION
Approximately 650 mentally ill individuals are housed from age twelve and up.  The individuals served are from the Los Angeles/Orange County vicinity as well as San Diego, Riverside and Northern, CA counties. The hospital provides a range of psychiatric treatment in a continuum of care. This continuum includes Acute care, Intermediate/Subacute care, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Forensics, and a Skilled Nursing Facility. The programs developed in response to the identified treatment needs of the individuals.

TYPE OF POPULATION SERVED
Individuals at Metropolitan State Hospital are on voluntary and involuntary holds. An interdisciplinary team consisting of a physician, psychologist, social worker, rehabilitation therapist, registered nurse and psychiatric technician evaluate the person to determine, with the individual, the focus of treatment for their hospitalization.

HOSPITAL MISSION
The Mission of Metropolitan State Hospital is to work in partnership with individuals to assist in their recovery by using rehabilitation services as our tool, thus preparing them for community living.

Rehabilitation Therapy Services
The Rehabilitation Therapy Services department consists of Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Vocational Services. These services strengthen and support the individual’s wellness and recovery goals by helping to emphasize therapeutic skill building in the areas of physical and social functioning and life skills. Positive approaches to verbal and non-verbal communication, socialization, as well as creative expression in the arts are provided through the implementation of music, art, dance/movement, recreation, arts and crafts, and drama.  Often the individual is asked to role-play these skills and is offered immediate group and therapist feedback.

MUSIC THERAPY MISSION
This internship program was developed to provide post-academic students with the opportunity to develop clinical skills in concert with the creative use of theoretical materials.  Interns will increase their capacity to serve as a valued professional peer.  Such experiences will assist interns in promoting Music Therapy as a viable intervention and in learning how to advocate for individuals using this modality.

STAFF
The Music Therapy staff consists of seven (7) music therapists in the role of rehabilitation therapist.

AVAILABLE SPACE AND EQUIPMENT
Each music therapist is provided with office space and facilities for rehabilitation therapy sessions.  Each program provides groups in a treatment mall setting that addresses the needs and barriers to discharge of the specific populations served. In addition, the therapist is eligible to use surrounding facilities such as the Mall Activity Center, James Hall Auditorium, the Library, OASIS (canteen), patios, New Park and adjacent picnic areas.

A variety of music equipment is provided including pianos, guitars, percussion instruments, Orff instruments, stereos, cassettes, and CDs.  Equipment varies from program to program.  There is educational equipment available on video, DVDs, karaoke machines, mats and prepared props for music and movement sessions, and art supplies. A selection of Music Therapy books and resource materials may be found in the staff library, open five days a week.

 TYPES OF SESSIONS
Types of sessions vary from large group activities to individual Music Therapy.  Large groups (10 or more individuals) may have goals related to social interactions, maintaining appropriate behavior within the group process, group decision-making, peer identification, improving interpersonal relationships, and an increased awareness of the environment around them.  There is a higher dependence on non-verbal communication with instrumentality, group movement with music, group singing, group composition, and peer support in the group process.

In small groups (2-9 individuals), the members are directed to work on individual goals. Goals include:

• Dealing with appropriate coping mechanisms;
• Identifying stress-related incidents;
• Improving impulse control;
• Separation of reality-based thought processes versus delusional and fantasy-based ideations;
• Increasing self-esteem;
• Inducement of relaxation and bio-feedback techniques;
• Improvement of appropriate facial affect and an increase in emotional stability marked by lessened periods of mood swings, depression, withdrawal, aggression and hyperactivity.

Here communication is more process oriented in relation to the group musical expression with the possible use of other creative arts such as art, movement and drama.

In 1:1 Music Therapy sessions, the individual is encouraged towards self-actualization and accomplishments in line with their personal goals.  Music Therapy techniques are employed to address the areas mentioned above. The individual along with the Wellness and Recovery team will identify the objectives and interventions for treatment. Objectives and interventions may include improving self-esteem, frustration tolerance, impulse control, self-expression, communication skills, restoration of competency, etc.

INSERVICE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Inservice training opportunities in addition to Music Therapy may be offered on the grounds of Metropolitan State Hospital.  Some training services that are offered are Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), infection control and CPR (mandated at orientation); and workshops in therapeutic techniques such as “A Review Of Borderline Traits”, “Pharmaceutical Review of Side-Effects of Psychiatric Medications,” and “Suicidal Intervention” may be attended with approval from the intern’s supervisor.

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January
MusicWorx Inc., San Diego, California.  

Kamica King: 

“This is an awesome, fast-paced, hands-on internship … An ideal last stop before the professional world, it’s a great option to consider, especially if you are interested in private practice or contract work. As a MusicWorx intern, you get to experience a “day in the life” of an active, entrepreneurial music therapist for six months straight with the direct support of your co-interns and the MusicWorx Inc. staff. How cool is that!?”

“A well-rounded internship, I would say that my favorite thing about the internship is the depth and breadth of what we are learning! For instance, our readings aren’t just about music therapy, but also about social media and marketing. I also love that if we have an idea for a program or project, we can (within reason) “take it and run with it.” In addition, we get to hone our clinical skills with a variety of populations, resulting in invaluable cross training in terms of professional versatility and exploration of what our niche within music therapy will be. Needless to say, I highly recommend this internship! “

Lindsay Tucker: 

“The variety of clientele MusicWorx serves is one of the main reasons this internship appeals to me. I’m learning how to be a versatile therapist … able to cater to various populations, but I’m also learning the value of honing in on the population I am drawn to. I’ve led groups that so fuel my passion for music and music therapy that my heart feels full and I literally can’t wipe the grin off my face. It is with these clients that I feel I have found my calling, and I will not ignore it. Having this variety and beginning to navigate that calling has been such a blessing during internship.”

“One of my favorite parts of internship is the team aspect. I cannot even to begin to imagine what this experience would be like without my co-interns! To have three other interns to walk this  journey with, to bounce ideas off of, to learn with and from, to share struggles and dreams with, to make music with, and to share in your most meaningful internship moments. It’s irreplaceable, and I wouldn’t trade that aspect of
internship for anything.”

Aida Sanchez: 

“Being a part of the MusicWorx intern team is an honor. As a result of belonging to a team, we have the opportunity to learn how to collaborate with other interns as well as professionals. This serves as a valuable skill for any workplace setting.

My favorite part of the internship is the privilege to have constant feedback from fantastic supervisors. Gathering business management ideas from an exceptional role model helps us gain powerful insight into our future. The freedom we receive allows us to be truly innovative. As a result of some of the most common projects, our interns learn concepts that are not usually incorporated into the ‘typical’ four years of undergraduate education. This might include how to start one’s own business or how to manage budgets. Last but not least, we end up living in sunny San Diego, which is a little piece of paradise.”

Esther Craven: 

“MusicWorx Inc. has a sister company – a nonprofit called Resounding Joy. Interns get to participate in Resounding Joy events, for example, giving inspiring presentations to educate the public about music therapy, and leading energetic community jams. Not only are we improving our clinical abilities, but also our professional skills! Post-internship … I will be well equipped to build professional relationships with businesses and individuals, no matter what city I’m in. ”

The MusicWorx family and intern team make my world go round. I challenge you to find me another internship that has such camaraderie. Internship can be tough, but with the intern team and the support of all the MusicWorx employees, you will be kept on the track to success no matter the struggles. Being away from home, in a new place, surviving a learning curve … this unique element is what carries me from “surviving” to “thriving.”

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December

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in Los Angeles, California.

Facility
     Recently named top 10 pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S News and World Report and the only pediatric hospital in the west coast to receive the “Honor Roll” recognition, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is located in the neighborhood of Hollywood/Los Feliz in Los Angeles, California. The 311-beds and  Level-I trauma center, CHLA is provides three intensive care unites, two surgery centers, and multiple outpatient clinics open to the local community. Founded in 1991, the Mar Taper-Jonny Mercer Artists Program serves both patients and families in in/out-patient settings. Music, art, and dance therapists work together with the entire treatment team, including the medical staff and other services found in the Family-Centered Care Support Services Division, to assist patients and patient’s families in all areas of need and services. 

Internship Overview
     Music therapy interns will be supervised by Music Therapy Board Certified (MT-BC) through out the internship. MT interns will be assigned to specific inpatient and outpatient treatment units which will bring multiple experiences in the clinical setting. MT interns will gain experience in adjunctive collaboration, assessment, interventions, evaluation, and charting. MT interns will participate in CHLA’s “outcome studies and will be invited to take advantage of the hospital’s outgoing educational opportunities”.

Stipend, Housing, and Transportation: N/A

Application
Application can be found HERE

Candidates should:

• Currently be enrolled in an accredited program.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in related courses.
• Having had work or volunteer experience with children.
• Possess strong skills in self-advocacy, independence, and initiative.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an ability to tolerate a wide variety of medical and developmental issues

Application packet should include:

• Printed copy of a completed application form.
• In addition to submitting a hard copy, applicants can also email completed and saved application forms to afield@chla.usc.edu.
• Current resume.
• Official transcripts.
• 2 letters of academic or professional reference in sealed envelopes.

“Please note that an acknowledgement of receipt of your application will be sent within 3 business days. If you have not heard from us within this timeframe, kindly follow-up by email or phone. There is no fee for application to the internship program. 

Applications must be submitted no later than 3 months in advance of your intended start date.
In-person and/or phone interviews will be required for all candidates before acceptance into the program”.

Application Deadlines

Applications should be mailed to:
Alexandra Field
c/o Children’s Hospital Artists Program
4650 Sunset Blvd Mailstop #28
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Contact Information
Alexandra Field, MT-BC, NICU-MT
(321) 361-4555
afield@chla.usc.edu 

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November

Department of State Hospitals in Vacaville, CA

A Day in the Life of an Intern
Current Music Therapy Intern, 2013

As a music therapy intern in the Department of State Hospitals-Vacaville (DSH-V), you will work with incarcerated, adult males with a variety of mental health problems.  Some of the most common diagnoses you will encounter within the correctional population are schizophrenia, substance abuse/dependence, mood disorders, personality disorders, and adjustment disorders.  You will learn how to identify common characteristics of each of these mental health problems as well as the best music therapy interventions to use with this population.

The music therapy intern has the opportunity to observe, co-lead and eventually lead a variety of music therapy groups, including groups the intern may have the opportunity to develop him or herself.  Some of the existing music therapy groups within DSH-V are “Songwriting,” “Music & Relaxation,” “Music Socialization,” “Band Ensemble,” and “Vocal Ensemble.”  DSH-V has a good supply of musical instruments to be used for music therapy sessions.  The intern also observes other specialty’s groups, some of which may include social worker groups, psychology groups, or art and recreation therapy groups.

As an intern, you will also learn to complete quality documentation, including assessments, admissions, progress notes, suicide risk assessments, treatment team conferences, and discharge summaries.  The music therapy intern is a valued member of the treatment team, which also includes medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers, nurses, custody staff, and other rehabilitation therapists, including music, art, and recreation therapists.

In a typical day, the music therapy intern will attend treatment team conferences, complete documentation, observe/co-lead/provide music therapy groups, and assist patients in developing healthy leisure skills through book and magazine exchange, checking out radios, CDs, and games.  The music therapy intern also assists other rehabilitation therapists (music, art, and recreation) with special events, such as patient concert performances, holiday caroling, and patient talent shows. The music therapy intern has two primary supervisors throughout the internship, both of whom are credentialed music therapists (MT-BC) who guide and assist the intern throughout the day.

Internship Overview

POPULATION SERVED

The Department of State Hospitals-Vacaville is a licensed psychiatric treatment facility located within one of the state prisons, California Medical Facility. The population served is all male inmates who are referred from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for mental health treatment and evaluation. As of April 30th 2013, has 218 beds in the Acute Psychiatric Program and 252 beds in the Intermediate Treatment Program.

THE INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

The internship program has been developed to satisfy the American Music Therapy Association requirements. The duration of the internship is approximately 26 weeks (1040 hours), Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week. They are currently accepting one music therapy intern per a calendar year.

Supervision

Each intern will be assigned to a full time supervising music therapist and will meet weekly for one hour of supervision. There will be two formal evaluation periods, one at the mid-term and upon completion of the internship. Supervision will be ongoing throughout the internship. In addition to a regular supervision, each intern will have the opportunity to engage with therapists in other discipline (i.e., Art Therapist and Recreation Therapist.)

Groups

The Department of State Hospitals-Vacaville is a multidisciplinary treatment program whose mission is to provide quality comprehensive care, utilizing the clinical skills of a wide variety of disciplines. Our staff includes psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social workers, rehabilitation therapists (including Art, Recreation and Music therapist), and custody/nursing staff.

One of our primary means of service delivery is through the group process. The intern will experience and develop group facilitation skills utilizing a wide range of music modalities. Our patient population presents a challenging array of diagnostic conditions, and the intern will focus on the development of creative interventions to address various therapeutic goals established by the treatment team for each group participant. The intern will also move from unit to unit experiencing an ever-changing landscape. Music therapy groups currently implemented include:

• Karaoke
• Drum circle
• Music listening
• Song talk
• Music ensemble
• Bell ensemble
• Music and art
• Music assisted relaxation
• Music ppen studio
• 1:1 music therapy

The intern will learn to develop therapeutic treatment skills and knowledge using music as a primary modality. The intern will also be exposed to modalities other than music therapy, offering a wider opportunity for professional growth. Non-music interventions and services that the intern will be exposed to include assisting the patients in enhancing their leisure and recreation skills through more informal activities such as materials requisitioning, facilitating physical activities in the gym, coordinating bingo and weekend games, etc.

HOUSING

Housing is not provided. The surrounding community provides a wide variety of housing options.

MEALS

Meals are not provided. Although, an on-site food service truck is available, most staff brings in their own lunch. The surrounding community offers a wide variety of restaurants’ within a few minutes of the institution.

STIPEND

The stipend currently available for the music therapy intern is approximately $8.99 per hour. This stipend may be affected by State budget fluctuations.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Hiromi Itoh, MM, MT-BC, Music Therapy Internship Director Phone: (707) 448-6841 ext. 2982
E-mail: Hiromi.Itoh@vpp.dsh.ca.gov

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October

Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT

Facility

Primary Children’s Medical Center is a 289 bed teaching hospital, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the only Level One Pediatric Trauma Center in the five state intermountain area (WY, ID, UT, MT, NV). Primary Children’s has been named one of the nation’s top ten children’s hospitals. Located near the University of Utah, Primary Children’s has a focus on teaching and research. Units in the hospital include:

• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Emergency Department/Rapid Treatment Unit
• Children’s Medical/Surgical Unit
• Infant Medical/Surgical Unit
• Neuroscience Trauma Unit
• Oncology
• Palliative Care

Population and Therapy Domains

Primary Children’s Medical Center serves children from birth to adulthood and some adults with pediatric conditions. The population served at Primary Children’s includes:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Behavioral Disorders
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Comatose
• Developmentally Disabled
• Dual Diagnosed
• Early Childhood
• Eating Disorders
• Emotionally Disturbed
• Head Injured
• Hearing Impaired
• Medical/Surgical
• Mental Health
• Neurologically Impaired
• Physically Disabled
• Speech Impaired
• Terminally Ill

A variety of domains are addressed by music therapy in Primary Children’s. These domains range from physical, medical, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive. Music therapists and interns work as a part of the Family Support Services team along with other professionals: doctors, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, child life specialists, and other creative arts therapists. All members of the patient’s team work together towards the Primary Children’s mission of “Child First And Always.”

Internship Overview

After orientation for Primary Children’s Medical Center, interns will enter a 2-week observation period. Interns will then begin to co-treat along with the music therapists. The areas of responsibility include: providing services for every unit on the hospital, attending staff meetings/trainings, participating in patient rounds, and give professional presentations about music therapy. Co-therapy is a major part of the intern’s continuous learning experience. The personal and professional development of the intern is also emphasized. Interns receive a lot of supervision from the music therapists as well as the other professionals on the interdisciplinary team. Throughout the internship, the interns are exposed and introduced to many types of therapeutic orientations of practice. Interns also work on their own research projects as part of the internship requirements. The music therapy sessions focus on the needs of the patient as well as the needs of the patient’s family. Interns will facilitate individual sessions as well as group sessions. A new state-of-the-art music room, Sophie’s Place, was completed just a few months ago and is a dedicated space specifically for music therapy.

Stipend, Housing, and Transportation

A stipend of $500 is given to the music therapy interns at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Although housing is not provided, there are many affordable places to live in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. Public transportation is very accessible through the UTA TRAX system. There is a stop directly in front of the hospital and interns receive a free TRAX pass.

Application

Primary Children’s Medical Center has four start dates for music therapy interns: January, April, July, and October. There are two positions available for each start date. The music therapists at Primary Children’s are looking for interns who are proficient in voice, piano, and guitar. They recommend an in-person interview and visit to the facility, although it is not required. More details about the expected musical and therapeutic skills for incoming interns are listed in the application. To receive more information or for the full application, please contact the internship director:

Tony Ollerton, MT-BC
NICU MT
Primary Children’s Hospital
Music Therapy Coordinator
100 N. Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84113
801-662-3712
Tony.Ollerton@imail.org

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September

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ

Overview
Banner Good Samaritan’s music therapy program seeks to bring compassionate care to our patients and their families. Many of our patients experience pain, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, fear and/ or isolation due to their diagnosis or treatment. Our goal is to improve the quality of lives of our patients and their families using various musical techniques to address the above issues. Techniques used include relaxation exercises and visualization, song writing, improvisation, lyric analysis, singing, verbal emotional support and decision making activities. Techniques are chosen based on the patient’s needs and which techniques are best suited for each individual patient. A “Music Therapy in Medicine” approach is used in which the relationship between the patient and the therapist is just as important as the relationship between the patient and the music. Music therapy interventions are used to facilitate medical treatment and to provide psychological support to the patient and their family during the patient’s treatment.

Therapy Sessions
Most sessions are individual sessions with patients, although family members are often present and do participate frequently. Due to the nature of the units and the varying length of patient stays, the music therapist may see a patient anywhere from once to several times a week for up to two or three months. Most one-time sessions focus on immediate pain or anxiety reduction, utilizing relaxation exercises, visualization, instrument improvisation, singing, lyric analysis and/or verbal emotional support. “Long term” patients often work on song writing or learning to play or improve skills on an instrument of choice. The average session length is 20 minutes. Weekly group sessions are held on the Behavioral Health Unit.

Setting and Populations
Banner Good Samaritan in downtown Phoenix has been providing care to the community since 1911, and is a flagship hospital within Banner Health. Nearly 1,700 physicians representing more than 50 specialties work with Banner Good Samaritan staff to care for more than 36,000 inpatients a year. Banner Good Samaritan houses more than 650 licensed adult patient care beds. Banner Good Samaritan is a teaching hospital and a premier medical center in Arizona and the Southwest. Music therapy is available to all patients, including oncology, palliative medicine, intensive care, high-risk obstetrics and behavioral health.

Internship Experience
Our staff consists of board-certified music therapists who will help each intern develop a program to meet his or her individual interests and needs. Internships begin with orientation and close supervision, but as they progress, interns take on increased responsibility until they manage their own case load – planning, leading and documenting individual and group music therapy sessions, as well as interacting with other medical staff involved in their patients’ care. Interns also learn by attending and participating in interdisciplinary meetings and hospital in-services, observing community music therapists, working with specific populations, and the completion of a special project. The internship consists of 1,040 hours.

Stipend, Housing and Transportation
Interns are eligible to receive a Music Therapy Intern Scholarship (pending funding). Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Internship start dates are January, April, July, and October. For more information, or to apply for the Music Therapy Internship, please contact:

Piper Laird-Riehle, MM, MT-BC
Music Therapy Coordinator
Music Therapy Internship Director
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
1111 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
602-839-4101

 piper.riehlelaird@bannerhealth.com

Student Entering Skill Expectations

The music therapy internships at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center are structured to meet the needs of each individual intern.  We work with each of our interns to improve the skills he/she will need to be successful in a career in music therapy.

We are looking for music therapy interns who are interested in learning how to provide music therapy services in a general medical setting.  This is a highly demanding internship.  Interns must be mature, confident, motivated, willing to work hard, organized, and possess a general caring for others.  Due to the nature of this work and the severity of our patients’ illnesses, this is not a setting for interns who suffer from depression or unresolved grief issues.  Interns must also have good fundamental music therapy skills, including the following:

Musical abilities

• The intern will display functional use of two or more of the following instruments: piano, omnichord, and/or guitar.  This includes being able to accompany self and patients proficiently, with or without printed music.
• The intern will be able to sing a basic repertoire of traditional, folk and popular songs in tune and with a pleasing quality.
• The intern will demonstrate a basic knowledge of percussion instruments, including the care and maintenance of these instruments.

Professional qualities and characteristics

• The intern will be able to introduce himself/herself to patient/family/staff and articulate and define music therapy.
• The intern should display the ability to work and communicate effectively with both professionals and non-professionals in a team setting.
• The intern will be able to accept criticism and feedback with a willingness to follow through in a productive manner.

Therapeutic skills

• The intern will be able to assess, observe and document a patient’s mood, affect, behavior and responses to music interventions.
• The intern will exhibit the ability to select and create music therapy experiences that meet the patient’s needs.
• The intern will demonstrate knowledge of various music therapy methods and techniques and their appropriate applications in a music session.
• The intern will exhibit the ability to modify treatment approaches based on the patient’s response to therapy.
• The intern will demonstrate the ability to communicate in both verbal and written manners.

Banner Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment.