Music Therapy Internship

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions. These interventions accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship and setting. Music therapists are credentialed professionals who have completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interns must be enrolled in an approved university program and have completed the academic requirements to apply for an internship.

Our music therapy interns will be immersed in the pediatric medical setting with a board certified music therapist, providing patients and families a creative outlet for physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Below you will find information related to the program.

Program information

Students are expected to conduct individual and group sessions with patients and families. The student should expect to accumulate professional clinical experience through a diverse spectrum of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural patient and family care. Cook Children's Medical Center incorporates the philosophy of family- centered care into every aspect of its clinical practice.

The intern will work with a broad spectrum of medical professionals throughout the internship. They will interact daily with child life staff, doctors, nurses, therapists, volunteers, and other Cook Children's staff.

Program requirements

Identify the patient's therapeutic needs through analysis, interpretation of music therapy responses and related assessment data.
Assess, record and communicate findings/recommendations in written and verbal forms to multi-disciplinary professionals.
Music therapy interns are required to complete a variety of assignments to be determined by the music therapy supervisor.

Applicant requirements

Applicants must have completed the academic requirements from a university's music therapy degree plan prior to applying for a music therapy internship. Cook Children's requires a signed School Affiliation Agreement prior to the start of an internship.

Final acceptance will be granted upon successful completion of immunizations, background check and drug screen.

Application information

Completed Internship Application. Please email Shea.Ingram@cookchildrens.org for an application.
Complete official academic transcript from all universities attended
Two (2) letters of reference. At least one must be from someone not affiliated with the university. Letter from family members are not accepted. Letters must be in sealed envelopes, signed by the author.
Signed and dated statement of eligibility for internship from your academic supervisor
Current resume
Letter/recording attesting to musical skills from university.

Internship application deadlines

For Internship starting in May, application deadline February 1
For Internship starting in September, application deadline June 1

Schedule

Potential Days/Times (maximum 4 hours/week):

Monday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or Wednesday-Friday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The music therapy internship at Cook Children's is not full-time. Students will need to fulfill the remaining hours at a separate site.

About the Music Therapy Program

The Music Therapy Program at Cook Children's provides patients and families with a creative outlet for the physical and emotional challenges they face in their lives. Music therapy aids communication and can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.

Research supports music therapy's effectiveness in reducing fear and stress, facilitating movement, providing emotional support for patients and their families, fostering normalization and providing an outlet for expression of feelings. Our music therapists provide services to all inpatient units and on an outpatient referral basis.

Music Therapy

More information

Please email Shea Ingram for more information on Cook Children's Music Therapy internship program.

For more information on music therapy please visit The American Music Therapy Association Web site.