Four Seasons Music Therapy Internship Program is a National Roster Internship offered through AMTA. Our Music Therapists provide both hospice and bereavement support in varied settings throughout our community.
Wondering if our AMTA National Roster Internship site is a good match for you?
- Do you love getting to know people on deeper emotional levels?
- Are you looking for an internship that will help you to grow and will be extremely rewarding?
- Want to learn about grief and loss? Interested in co-facilitating a grief support group?
Ready to Apply?
Music Therapy Internship Experience
If you come ready to learn, there are no limits to the amount of knowledge, wisdom and internal growth that you will take with you. We care deeply about providing an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
The Four Seasons Music Therapy program was established in 2010; we have had many years to tailor our program to ensure strong outcomes for our interns. We provide a six-month placement for 2-3 interns per year. Our internships generally run from January-July and July – January. We are flexible with start dates to accommodate school and life schedules when possible. Music Therapists are integral members of the Four Seasons Interdisciplinary Team:
- MTs work with physicians, nurses, certified nurse assistants, chaplains, social workers and volunteers to provide holistic care for hospice patients and their families.
- MTs provide music therapy groups for older adults in facility settings
- MTs participate in community outreach events, fundraising efforts and grants/research.
- MTs provide Bereavement support via individual sessions, support groups, and memorial services.
- MTs provide music and rituals for memorial services for individuals and facilities
Our Music Therapy Interns integrate fully into all these roles as they continue down their internship path.
Orientation
Interns begin their experience with an extensive orientation geared toward all aspects of Hospice – from philosophy to documentation. All aspects of care are covered including medical, psychological, and spiritual. In addition, interns ride along with other disciplines as they orient to their specific team, and have ongoing opportunities to shadow all our full-time Music Therapists.
Program Overview & Expectations
Once orientation is complete, you will work closely with your Internship Supervisor and Internship Director to develop a plan that will best support your growth and development. The first month includes orientation and observation. Months 2 and 3 focus on co-leading. Months 4-6 transition to individual work. Interns typically have a caseload of about 15-20 individuals. You will also spend certain days at Elizabeth House (our inpatient unit) and will have the opportunity to participate in community events and groups. You will be responsible for patient assessments, care plans, sessions, documentation, and participation in interdisciplinary treatment teams. Interns receive ongoing supervision from their primary supervisors as well as the other qualified Four Seasons Music Therapists. You will have access to all continuing education opportunities presented at Four Seasons during your internship.
Work Hours
While interns’ work hours are 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, you should expect to spend additional time completing assignments, doing homework, and prepping for work. Balance is one of our values at Four Seasons. Please talk with your supervisor if you have questions or concerns. We work with you as you develop and hone your self-care skills.
Four Seasons is a non-profit organization providing hospice, palliative care, home care, care navigation, grief services, and clinical research throughout a 14-county area in Western North Carolina. Founded on meaningful values, innovative spirit, and expert care, we have served the WNC region for over 40 years. Our music therapy interns work primarily in Asheville, Hendersonville, and smaller communities west of Asheville.
Music therapy was introduced to Four Seasons in 2007. A few years later, in 2012, Four Seasons became a National Roster Internship Site. We have 5 full-time Music Therapists and one music therapist dedicated to providing additional support when needed. Our music therapists work primarily in the Hospice and Grief Services service lines. Each person admitted to our Hospice program has access to a Music therapist. Our Hospice serves individuals dealing with a variety of terminal illnesses including cancer, COPD, heart disease, and dementias. As opposed to receiving referrals from other team members, our music therapists are well integrated as core members of the IDG (Interdisciplinary Group). Our music therapists provide non-pharmacological symptom management, spiritual support, and grief support in their Hospice and Bereavement roles. Our Grief Services program provides care for both children and adults.
Typically, we have two interns with us each year- one starting in January and another starting in July. Interns applying for our January internship position need to have their completed applications in by July 1st. Interns applying for our July internship position need to have their completed applications in by January 1st. We are flexible with start dates when possible.
Four Seasons is rooted in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Our main administration building is just south of Asheville, in Flat Rock, NC. Four Seasons serves the greater Asheville area, spanning 14 western counties of NC. The WNC region has long been a sought-after location for travel and residency: the lush mountain landscapes, rich architecture, historical attractions, and unique Southern culture of the region draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. We experience moderate weather year-round and four mild, distinctive seasons. The region is the ultimate playground for those who enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, or just being outdoors.
Named Lonely Planet’s Top U.S. Travel Destination in 2017, Asheville itself is a melting pot of vibrant arts, music, and cultures. The small city is home to Biltmore, known as “America’s Castle”, the famous Grove Park Inn hotel, and hundreds of unique restaurants and breweries that earned it the national title “Beer City” several years in a row. A combination of rich diversity, acceptance, and Southern hospitality have created the city’s distinct and popular culture, causing many to long to call Asheville ‘home’, even if just for a while. As tucked away in the mountains as it seems, Asheville is also very connected to the rest of the world: a growing regional airport with direct flights to many large U.S. cities and easy driving access to Charlotte, Atlanta, and Raleigh-Durham only add to Asheville’s convenient and enviable lifestyle.
Depending on when our interns start, they might be working primarily in Asheville, Hendersonville, or in the quaint, small communities west of Asheville. Whatever your interests, our region provides the perfect backdrop for a vibrant personal and professional life.
This is not a paid internship. Interns will, however, be reimbursed for mileage accrued for work-related travel. Interns must provide their own vehicle and proof of auto insurance.
Interns must supply their own guitar for use with patients and families. Interns may also choose to bring other instruments such as a portable piano, harp or other instrument.
A competency-based internship agreement must be initiated by academic faculty upon acceptance to the internship. It must include areas of focus (not to include group MT). This must be signed and in place within 4 weeks of the start date. The start date can be delayed if the internship agreement is not completed prior to the start date.
Upon acceptance to the internship, students will be required to complete a background check, drug screen, and TB test, as well as an employee application (this does not entitle interns to a job with Four Seasons upon completion of the internship).
Because our interns are fully integrated into our Hospice service line, each intern goes through an extensive orientation process. We treat our interns the same as new staff. We want each intern to be fully prepared to integrate fully into our music therapy program during their time here.
One of the biggest misperceptions of working in Hospice is that it is always sad. Death, as we all know but rarely discuss, is a part of life. For some, end-of-life is full of sweetness and warmth as individuals process tender memories, honor the life of their loved-one and find incredible forms of strength and support within themselves and their family system. For others, end-of-life is incredibly difficult as they navigate the harsh unknown that none of us can not know until we have experienced certain types of loss. Death affects each person and each family in a unique manner. You will experience all types of emotion while working in Hospice- everything from joy to pain.
Our Bereavement Team is made up of Music Therapists, Social Workers, Chaplains and counselors of varied backgrounds. Our Compass program is dedicated to proving grief support for children and teenagers. We also have a program called Heart Songs that is dedicated to proving grief support for children and teenagers. Interns have the opportunity to provide grief support to children and adults, in both 1:1 and group settings. You’ll be able to work with other disciplines as you increase your knowledge about grief and loss.
Four Seasons is not affiliated with any certain religious belief system. We provide spiritual support that is geared toward the beliefs of our patients and families. While we lean on our unique and personal belief systems to support us as we do our work, we do not place our belief systems on others or attempt to change or influence the belief systems of those we serve in any way. Learn more about Four Seasons’ commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
We provide the opportunity to gain experience by working with six different Music Therapists as well as the chance to collaborate with other disciplines.
For more information, contact Taylor Gass, Music Therapy Clinical Specialist & Internship Supervisor, or at 828.692.6178
