I started my music therapy internship in July. It seems like only a few weeks ago I was starting internship and I am already half done. I have learned so much in the time I have been here not only about music therapy, but also about how to transition out of the college world and into the professional world.

The main populations I do music therapy with are geriatric and hospice. During the geriatric sessions, we have discussions and reminiscence about the theme of the session. The theme is a holiday (Labor Day, Independence Day, Halloween) or it may be a topic that there are several songs about (for example, I have done sessions about Broadway, the sun and autumn season). The trick is to bring the songs and theme back to them. For example, during a sun-themed session, I asked everyone where they liked to enjoy the sun at, if they are a sunrise or sunset person, and how they stay out of the sun.

Hospice music therapy is very different than any music therapy I have ever done. It was very difficult for me to understand exactly what music therapy was doing for the client because the goals are not necessarily determined before the session- they are what the client needs in-the-moment. For example, if the client is agitated, the music therapist uses music to relax the client. Or if the client is isolated from other people, the music therapist uses music to socially interact with the client. The hardest part about hospice music therapy is learning repertoire. At this point in my internship, I have co-facilitated several hospice sessions, and led three sessions on my own without my supervisors.

The internship is also a transition into the professional world, but not just in the career sense but also recreationally. During college, I went to school full-time, practice piano a couple hours a day, worked four jobs and kept up with homework and studying. But I don’t have all that anymore: I work one job (the internship), I’m not required to practice piano, and I don’t have extra homework and studying to do. I was not prepared to have recreational time. It took me about a month and a half to find the balance between working and recreation. It was a difficult transition because I did not know how to have recreational time. Now when I get off work, I have time to exercise, cook, and read all the books I’ve been wanting to for the past five years.

Thus far, it has been a great experience and I am looking forward to the remaining months with enthusiasm!