Clinical Training in Music Therapy

Perceptions of Preparedness and Satisfaction

Authors

  • Edward A. Roth Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Xueyan Hua Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Wang Lu Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University
  • Jordan Blitz Novak Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Fei Wang Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Taylorlyn N. Mehnert Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Rebekah K. Morano Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Jennifer Fiore Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab
  • Alycia J. Sterenberg Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0744-0917

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v21i3.3055

Keywords:

music therapy, clinical training, needs, preparedness, expectations, satisfaction

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines the experiences of music therapy students throughout their clinical training. Three surveys inquired about: 1) the perception from both interns and supervisors as to interns’ needs, 2) interns’ preparedness, their skills, their priorities when choosing an internship, and whether their expectations for training were met (with comparisons between American and International respondents), and 3) satisfaction with clinical training. Method: Three separate surveys were distributed. The first survey’s respondents included pre-interns ( n = 19) and internship supervisors (n = 14) who had completed their training in the Great Lakes Region of the United States. The second survey’s respondents included American interns (n = 50), American professionals (n = 353), International interns (n = 12), and International professionals (n = 50). Respondents for the third survey included professional music therapists who completed their curriculum in the United States and held the MT-BC professional credential (N = 777). Results: Some differences between interns’ and supervisors’ perceptions of the interns’ needs were found in Survey 1; significant differences were found between the preparedness and strengths/weaknesses between groups in Survey 2; and Survey 3 found general satisfaction with training with some areas respondents felt needed improvement. Conclusions: While there is overall satisfaction with training for music therapists, there are inconsistencies in students’ experiences in, and perceptions of, their training.

 

Japanese abstract:

 

音楽療法における臨床実習: 準備度と満足度の認識

エドワード・A・ロス、シュエヤン・フア、ワン・L、ジョーダン・ブリッツ・ノヴァク、フェイ・ワン、テイラーリン、N・メナート、レベカ・K・モラノ、ジェニファー・フィオーレ、アリシア・J・ステレンバーグ・マホン

 

要約

目的:本論文は臨床実習中の音楽療法学生の経験について検討する。三件の調査において、1)実習生及びスーパーバイザーによる実習生のニーズに関する認識、2)実習生の準備度及び技術、実習を選択する際の優先事項、実習が期待に沿うものだったかどうか(米国及び他国の回答者の比較)、3)実習の満足度を尋ねた。方法:異なる三つの調査用紙を配布した。一つ目の調査の回答者は、米国の五大湖地域で実習を行った実習前の学生(n=19)と実習スーパーバイザー(n=14)だった。二つ目の調査の回答者は、米国の実習生(n=50)、米国の音楽療法士(n=353)、他国の実習生(n=12)、他国の音楽療法士(n=50)だった。三つ目の調査の回答者は、米国でカリキュラムを修了し、MT-BC(米国認定音楽療法士)の資格を持つ音楽療法士(n=777)だった。結果:調査1では、実習生のニーズについて、実習生とスーパーバイザーの認識にいくらか違いが見られた。調査2では、準備の度合いないし強み・弱みについて、グループ間で著しく異なった。調査3では、実習の改善が必要だと感じている回答者はいるものの、総じて満足していることが明らかになった。結論:全体的に音楽療法実習において満足している一方で、実習に関する学生の経験及び認識には一貫性がないことが示唆された。

 

キーワード音楽療法、臨床実習、ニーズ、準備度、期待、満足度

 

 

Author Biographies

Edward A. Roth, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Edward Roth: Edward Roth, PhD, MT-BC currently serves as Professor and Director of Music Therapy and Director Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (BRAIN) laboratory, both at Western Michigan University. His research has addressed the nexus of music and neuroscience by studying the neurobiology and clinical application of music improvisation and how improvisation creates experiences of flow, creative self-expression, and social bonding for people with issues related to mental health.

He has worked with clients diagnosed with various neurological, physical, and mental health disorders. He completed his clinical internship training in adult and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center (Ann Arbor, MI) and while a graduate student at Colorado State University, he co-facilitated music therapy and counseling groups for adolescents diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and acute anxiety from Columbine High School (Littleton, CO). His clinical work focused on children and teenagers with neurologic disorders, particularly traumatic brain injuries. Contact: edward.roth@wmich.edu

Xueyan Hua, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Xueyan Hua: Xueyan is from China and has lived in the US since 2010. She completed her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in music therapy at Western Michigan University. Xueyan published a case study for the book “Music Therapy for Multisensory and Body Awareness in Children and Adult with Severe to Profound Multiple Disabilities” by Roberta S. Adler and Olga V. Samsonova-Jellison. Currently, she is working on her MBA degree at Western Michigan University, at the same time she is mainly taking care her little baby and doing some clinical practices. Contact: xueyan.hua@wmich.edu

Wang Lu, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University

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Wang Lu: Wang Lu is a music therapist and the founder of music therapy and recreation programs at Beijing Taikang Yanyuan Rehab Hospital in China. Wang loves popularizing knowledge of music therapy. Since 2016, she runs a music therapy official account through WeChat with her schoolmates for professionals and others who are interested in music therapy field in China. After graduating from Western Michigan University, she worked with some Chinese pioneer music therapists, and published Music Therapy-Melody for Wellness by People’s Medical Publishing House, which is the top medical press in China. Contact: 253048715@qq.com

Jordan Blitz Novak, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Jordan Blitz Novak: Jordan Blitz Novak, MM, MT-BC is the founder and owner of The Great Lakes Music Company, a community-centered music therapy private practice in Northwest Indiana that serves over 200 individuals. She completed her undergraduate degree in music therapy in 2011 from Illinois State University and completed her master’s in music therapy from Western Michigan University in 2016. Jordan has been a practicing music therapist since 2012, specializing in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. She presented at the GLR regional conference in 2018 on music therapy and ABA collaboration. Jordan plans to continue her efforts in advancing music therapy education and training by supporting students, interns, and professionals to have meaningful and long careers. Contact: jnovak@theglmc.com

Fei Wang, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

Fei Wang: Fei Wang graduated from Western Michigan University with a master’s degree in Music Therapy. Fei Wang is a teacher who works at Wuhan Conservatory of Music teaching music therapy courses, works as a psychological consultant, and supervises students’ clinical practicum. Fei Wang has 7 years of clinical experience, she worked at the hospital, nursing home, and special education school with different kinds of clients. Contact: feiwang900706@126.com

 

 

Taylorlyn N. Mehnert, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Taylorlyn N. Mehnert: Taylorlyn (she/her) completed her bachelor's degree and her master’s degree in music therapy at Western Michigan University (WMU). She completed her internship in San Diego at MusicWorx Inc following her undergraduate degree. Taylorlyn worked as a research assistant in the Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (BRAIN) Lab affiliated with WMU under the direction of Alycia Sterenberg Mahon and Edward Roth. Contact: taylorlyn.n.mehnert@wmich.edu

Rebekah K. Morano, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Rebekah K. Morano: Rebekah K. Morano completed her master’s degree in music therapy at Western Michigan University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in May 2018. During her time at Western Michigan, she worked as a research assistant in the Brain Interdisciplinary Research and Neurosciences (BRAIN) Lab, assisting with interdisciplinary research pursuits investigating the connections between music and neuroscience. Her internship experience was at Metro Music Therapy, Inc. in Denver, CO, working with children and adults with a range of diagnoses using Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) interventions. Contact: rebekah.k.gohl@wmich.edu

Jennifer Fiore, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

Jennifer Fiore: Jennifer Fiore, PhD, MT-BC is an Associate Professor of Music Therapy at Western Michigan University. She holds a Bachelors (emphasis in Music Therapy), Masters in Music Education (emphasis in Music Therapy), and a doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (emphasis in Music Therapy) from the University of Kansas. Jennifer has over 11 years of clinical experience within hospice working with both pediatric and adult hospice and palliative care patients, bereavement camps, oncology, pediatric medical, and older adults. She supervised music therapy practicum students clinical work, and established a university affiliated internship in hospice. Jennifer is a consistent presenter at the local, regional, and national level, and chairs the American Music Therapy Association’s Standards of Clinical Practice Committee. Her research interests include hospice and palliative care, oncology, and stress and coping, and she has published within the Journal of Music TherapyArts in Psychotherapy, and OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying. Contact: jennifer.fiore@wmich.edu

Alycia J. Sterenberg, Department of Music Therapy, School of Music, Western Michigan University Brain Research and Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Lab

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Alycia J. Sterenberg Mahon: Alycia Sterenberg Mahon, MM, MT-BC is the current Brain Interdisciplinary Research and Neurosciences (BRAIN) Lab manager at Western Michigan University. She completed her undergraduate work at Wartburg College in music therapy and psychology. Following her internship, she received a master’s in music therapy at Western Michigan University. Currently, Alycia is pursuing a doctoral degree in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research at Western Michigan University in which she has completed courses in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods; evaluation; and measurement. Alycia has 14 peer-reviewed presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. Alycia’s interests include pursuing continued knowledge of research methodologies and advancing the field of music therapy through research. Contact: a.j.sterenbergmahon@gmail.com

Photo collage of all nine authors

Published

2021-10-25

How to Cite

Roth, E. A., Hua, X., Lu, W., Novak, J. B., Wang, F., Mehnert, T. N., Morano, R. K., Fiore, J., & Sterenberg, A. J. (2021). Clinical Training in Music Therapy: Perceptions of Preparedness and Satisfaction. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v21i3.3055

Issue

Section

Research