Music Therapy Internship

Music Therapy at Children's National

The music therapy program serves patients in the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (CBDC) located at Children’s National Main Hospital. CBDC cares for children with cancer, blood and immune disorders, and those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Music therapists support patients across inpatient and outpatient settings, providing continuity of care throughout treatment. As part of the psychosocial care team, they collaborate closely with nurses, social workers, psychologists, child life specialists, education specialists, rehabilitation therapists and palliative care providers.

Music Therapy Internship Experience

The music therapy internship is designed to give the intern the opportunity to develop and refine their clinical skills. The intern will work under the guidance of their internship supervisor while learning to assume the full range of responsibilities of an entry-level professional music therapist. The internship is a full-time commitment with the consistent schedule of Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are no weekend or evening obligations for the music therapy intern. Presently, Children’s National offers two music therapy internship cycles each year:

Cycle 1: January to June
Cycle 2: June to November

The internship follows a structured progression from observation to independent practice. In the early stages, interns learn by shadowing music therapy sessions in inpatient and outpatient settings. As skills develop, interns begin co-facilitating sessions with their supervisor and gradually take on greater clinical responsibility. By the final months of the internship, interns independently manage a full caseload, including assessment, treatment planning, implementation of music therapy services, documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout the internship, interns receive ongoing supervision, feedback and opportunities to work alongside members of the medical and psychosocial care teams.

Throughout the internship experience, the intern will be expected to attend weekly psychosocial rounds with the purpose of discussing and adapting patient care goals based on relevant information from the meeting. As the intern progresses through the internship, they will become more active in relaying their clinical insights to the psychosocial team. The psychosocial team consists of social workers, psychologists, music therapists, art therapists, chaplain, palliative care, education specialists and child life specialists.

Interns engage in one hour of formal supervision every week. This exercise reinforces the collaborative nature of the supervisory relationship as interns have the opportunity to develop their skills and foster their interests while receiving guidance from the internship supervisor.

Before the conclusion of the internship, the intern will be expected to complete one project that will benefit the music therapy program and assist them in their professional growth outside of Children’s National. The intern will have the opportunity to shape this project with the guidance of their internship supervisor.

Sarah Monroe, LPMT, MT-BC

Internship Director | Internship Supervisor | Music Therapist

Allie Borden, MMT, MT-BC, HPMT

Internship Supervisor | Music Therapist

Explore Our Program

Applicants to the music therapy internship will be required to demonstrate the following skills through the application and interview process.

Music Foundations

Explore required musical foundations for our internship, from guitar to voice.

Guitar

Keyboard

Percussion

Voice

General Music

Clinical Foundations

Internship applications should be able to demonstrate the following:

An understanding of basic medical and mental health terminology
Awareness of the dynamics of a therapist-client relationship
Professionalism through effective communication and documentation
Openness to the supervision process
Knowledge of existing music therapy interventions

A young girl plays a ukulele while sitting in the Healing Garden

Each internship application will be reviewed by the Internship Director and, when applicable, the Internship Supervisor. Selected applicants will be invited to advance to the interview stage, which includes an in-person interview and tour of Children's National.

Although applicants are expected to demonstrate their musical proficiencies through videos submitted with their application materials, they will also be asked to play and sing during the interview. For applicants who are unable to travel to the hospital, arrangements may be made to conduct the interview virtually.

Application and Fact Sheet

If you are interested in applying, please email our team to receive the internship application and fact sheet.

Email our team

Additional Information

Special Category Volunteer Status

All non-medical students and clinical trainees are processed through the Volunteer Services department at Children’s National Hospital. Music therapy interns are considered Special Category Volunteers for administrative purposes. The process requires several health screenings, a background check and completion of orientation materials. Volunteer services will communicate these requirements to incoming interns prior to their internship start date. Any expenses incurred completing these requirements are the responsibility of the intern.

Legal Affiliation Agreement

Children’s National Hospital does require a legal affiliation agreement with the intern’s academic institution. The internship director and the prospective intern’s academic supervisor will communicate with the legal department at Children’s National Hospital upon accepting the internship to establish the agreement.

Liability Insurance

The intern will provide proof of liability insurance before beginning internship. This can be obtained through a contractual agreement with the intern’s university or private purchase.

COVID-19 Policy

The intern must provide proof of vaccination prior to starting their internship. Masking is no longer required unless otherwise stated on unit. Interns are welcome to continue masking to their comfort level or for contact and droplet precautions. If you are feeling sick, please contact the Internship Director to make arrangements and quarantine if necessary. If you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 policies at Children’s National, please contact the Internship Director.

Clinical Resources

The intern will be provided with their own cart of instruments similar to those used by supervisors. They will not be expected to provide their own instruments. The intern will have access to a desk space and a laptop.

Additional Educational Opportunities

The intern may be encouraged to attend AMTA National or Regional Conferences during their internship, but it will not be required. The intern will be invited to attend hospital Grand Rounds, as all hospital staff and trainees are welcome.

On-Site Information

Other On-Site Training Programs: Within CBDC, the music therapy intern will have the opportunity to work with psychology fellows, externs, child life interns and other trainees during their internship. There may be interns from occupational therapy, physical therapy or social work, but there is no guarantee these training programs will overlap.
Attire: The music therapy staff wear scrub pants and music therapy t-shirts at the hospital. Interns may choose to purchase the same attire or wear work appropriate clothing in accordance with hospital policy.
Housing: Children’s National does not provide housing for this internship.
Meals: An on-site cafeteria is available, with meals offered to staff and interns at a discounted rate.
Transportation: Children’s National provides free shuttle services between the hospital and three Metro stations: Brookland, Columbia Heights and Union Station. The shuttles operate Monday through Friday. Parking is also available at an off-site parking garage for a monthly fee. Children’s National does not offer reimbursement for transportation expenses.

Contact Us

For more information or additional questions, please contact Sarah Monroe, LPMT, MT-BC, internship director.

Call 2202-476-1712 Email

Main Hospital

111 Michigan Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20010

1-888-884-2327

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