Intentionality in Design of Clinical Training:
Clinical observations occur in the first semester through the IDIS 103 Introduction to Music Therapy course. Observations occur weekly and include written reports submitted after each observation. During the first two semesters students gain clinical experience weekly in performing songs on piano while simultaneously leading singing for patients on a dementia unit (later stage dementia) at a local nursing home. During the third and fourth semesters students gain experience weekly in leading therapeutic activities for residents with dementia (but who have earlier-stage dementia and are not living on the dementia unit). During either the fourth or sixth semester students gain experience leading dance and movement activities with juveniles at a regional detention center and with residents with dementia who receive occupational and physical therapy at a local nursing home. They incorporate Alexander Technique and relaxation, emotional expression, and exercise with the juveniles and use visual images and props with music to help facilitate desired range of motion for the residents with dementia. During the fourth semester students begin to serve as a student music therapist in a practica which is taken concurrently with the Clinical Orientation course. They learn to plan and execute assessments, design and implement treatment plans, evaluate and modify treatment plans, document all aspects of therapy, and prepare home programs and discharge summaries. Students then take three more practica across the next three semesters. In any semester after or during the semester of the Clinical Orientation course and first practica, students engage in a Clinical Experience course in which they plan and implement clinical programming, typically based on specific content areas such as anger management, infant stimulation, relaxation, and other similar venues. Following these clinical courses the students will do an internship.