Medical Music Therapy Internship
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: To meet the biopsychosocial needs of patients and families through evidence-based music interventions.
Vision: Be a leader of medical music therapy practice and education by advancing evidence-based practice through innovation and collaboration.
About the Internship
The medical music therapy internship at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is a national roster internship site offering two six-month internships, twice per year. Music therapy interns at TMH will have the opportunity to observe, co-lead, and lead individual sessions in all units and facilities, participate in and lead group sessions, participate in treatment team meetings, implement patient assessment and evaluation, document patient progress, co-treat with other disciplines, participate in department projects, and complete assignments and special projects geared toward their educational needs and personal interests. While our internship does not provide housing, a stipend is provided. Interns at TMH also have the opportunity to earn their NICU-MT Certificate, pending board-certification.
The structure of the internship begins with a two-week orientation period, which is then followed by a consistent, yet flexible schedule in each main area of service. In addition to the main areas of service, interns will also gain experience in other areas of service throughout internship. Interns initially co-lead sessions with supervisors and gradually gain independence across time. By the end of the internship, interns are seeing patients in all areas with autonomy. Interns work with several supervisors, allowing them to experience a variety of therapeutic and supervisory styles. While the TMH music therapy program is philosophically rooted in cognitive-behavioral foundations, person-centered, humanistic, neurologic, music education, and other techniques and approaches are applied based on the need of each individual patient and the expertise of the individual music therapist. Other professional-growth opportunities may be offered including formal presentations to staff, observation of music therapists at TMH’s behavioral-health clinic, and participation in formal TMH events.
Main areas of service include:
- Adults in all main hospital and Intensive Care Units
- Out-Patient Cancer Center
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Adult Rehabilitation
- Early Childhood Development Groups
Other areas of service include:
- Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Adult Stroke Wellness Groups
- Parkinson’s Awareness Choir [pending accessibility]
- Ukulele Choir
Important Requirement to Begin Internship
Our internship requires that the intern sign TMH’s internship agreement. Once the intern signs the internship agreement and fulfills other requirements (i.e. background check, drug screen, liability insurance, etc.) they will meet all clearances to attend. TMH’s HR department does not sign affiliation agreements initiated by universities for music therapy at this time. The internship director may be able to sign internship agreements depending on the content and complexity of the agreement (i.e. internship director/student/faculty roles and responsibilities vs. student liability). Applicants need to check with their academic director or internship coordinator to ensure that the applicant’s university will allow the student to attend under TMH’s internship agreement. Many students from other universities have been successful in attending our internship with the addition of a separate contract between the student, internship director, and university program director, or with permission from the university.
Our Philosophy
The supervisory philosophy of the internship includes consideration of Self-Determination Theory as interns are evaluated on the professional competencies in phases of relatedness, competency, and autonomy (Rushing & Capilouto, 2016). Target competencies are chosen each week in collaboration with the internship director, supervisor feedback, and the intern based on current abilities and needs. Later in the internship, interns may suggest extended time in a particular population of interest. By the end of internship, interns are functioning within the department very similarly to a full-time employee in terms of clinical care, interaction and collaboration with staff, attending interdisciplinary meetings, responsibility for some department administrative tasks, and making appropriate referrals, while continuing to receive regular weekly supervision.
Application
Internship Cycle 1: January - July; application deadline April 1st
Internship Cycle 2: July – December; application deadline October 1st
Once applications have been reviewed, interviews will be extended to the top candidates. Typically, two interns are selected per 6-month cycle.
How to Apply
***Due to the recent Hurricane Helene, the application deadline for Fall 2025 has been moved from October 1st to October 8th***
Step 1
Download and complete our Medical Music Therapy Internship Application.
Download Application
Step 2
Submit your completed application and resume via email to Michaela Schenkel, at Michaela.Schenkel@TMH.org
Step 3
Request Official Academic Transcript(s) and two Letters of Recommendation to be submitted directly by email to Michaela.Schenkel@TMH.org or by mail to the address below:
Music Therapy Internship Director
TMH Music Therapy
1331 East 6th Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32303
For questions, please contact Michaela Schenkel, at Michaela.Schenkel@TMH.org or call our office number 850-431-7468.
