Entering into A Music Therapy Internship

Hello Everyone!

Are you a music therapy student?

Are you looking for a music therapy internship?

Or are you just someone who is interested in music therapy?

Well, if so, you are at the right place!

To start off, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Christina and I am the Clinical Training Director at Able ARTS Work. I have worked as a board-certified music therapist for the past 8 years and I have had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside of amazing music therapists. I currently handle the music therapy internships and fieldworks for Able ARTS Work and thought I would share some things that might be helpful for you (especially if you are looking for an internship).

Music Therapy Clinical Training Director, Christina Ebersole on left with Music Therapy Intern Marie Metcalfe on right, both wearing masks and Able ARTS Work shirts, while making peace signs with their hands.

I have interviewed, supervised, and worked with many music therapy interns and fieldwork students over the years and everything I am about to share comes from those valuable experiences and encounters. First off, let me start by saying, music therapy programs are hard and internships are even harder! I understand the emotional and mental stress as well as the growing pains that are tied to navigating through an internship. This is an awkward stage where you are no longer a student yet you are not yet a professional – I like to call this the “tween” stage. Internship is a time where you learn to shed your layers as a student and transition into a professional made up of your own philosophy, techniques, ideas, and experiences. This is quite an exciting time where you learn to take a leap of faith on a daily basis and allow yourself to go through experiences that are both challenging and successful.

If you are currently going through your music therapy program at your institution, I want to encourage you to soak up every ounce of experiences and opportunities for learning that are available to you. Even the general education courses that aren’t directly related to music therapy, are still valuable lessons that will aid in your future. Whether it is cultural studies, history, science or math, every part of your education is there to serve you and help you grow; I would take full advantage of it!

[Learn more about the benefits of Music Therapy from Able ARTS Work CEO, Founder, and Music Therapist, Helen Dolas.]

If you have already completed your music therapy program and are in search of an internship, I highly recommend you begin looking in the area of your interest and how you can both learn and contribute to the specific internship site. I understand that sometimes you apply for an internship because you need one and even if that was the case, I want to encourage you to learn about the internship site, the clients they serve and how you connect with their model and vision. It is important for you to know the site’s mission statement and how that relates to your own philosophy as a growing music therapist. Searching for the best internship site that fits your needs might be far reached. However, looking for a place where you can learn to fit yourself into their mold may be a greater learning experience in the end.

Daniella, Christina, Morgan

Heidi, Christina, Reon

We are not looking for the “perfect” intern that has everything together, rather someone who has the willingness to grow in every area, the courage to try even if it means failing, the flexibility to change in a moment’s notice, and the ability to connect authentically with other human beings.

I hope this can aid in your music therapy journey!

Music Therapy Clinical Training Director, Christina Ebersole, plays shaker and sings with Able ARTS Work resident artist Patti and Adam.

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Want to learn more about Music Therapy Internships? Read this reflection on her time as a virtual intern at Able ARTS Work by Reon Kamimura.

Able ARTS Work is currently accepting applications for the July 2022 and January 2023. Submit your application by April 1st for the July term and September 1st for the January term. You can find more information and apply here or contact cebersole@ableartswork.org with questions regarding the Music Therapy Internship.

Music Therapy Clinical Training Director, Christina Ebersole, holding a keyboard.

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Christina Ebersole is the Music Therapy Clinical Training Director at Able ARTS Work and is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. During her 8 years at Able ARTS Work she has also held the positions of Assistant Program Manager and Program Manager at the adult day program Center for Arts and Cultural Education (CECA) as well as being a Music Therapy Internship supervisor and Fieldwork Student supervisor for Able ARTS Work.