Orchard Manor has been a Clinical Training Site for Music Therapy since July 1999.  Music Therapy has been a part of Orchard Manor's overall care for over ten years.  The program has grown steadily over the past four years and was one of three facilities in the country to receive a grant for instruments in 1997 from the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.  Music Therapy is used to facilitate healing by addressing the holistic health dimensions of an individual using music as a tool to promote interpersonal, emotional, and spiritual expression and growth.

MUSIC THERAPY. . .

· Receives referrals from physicians, nurses, social workers, QMRP's, and other  therapists

· Assesses the physical, emotional, and mental capabilities of individuals through specialized diagnostic techniques

· Designs treatment plans and evaluates treatment as members of an interdisciplinary team

· Creates structured sessions using music therapy applications to support the goals of each individual

· Works with a wide range of diagnoses (such as Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Alzheimer's/dementia, stroke, cancer, terminal illness, Traumatic Brain Injury, mental retardation, mental illness/depression, etc.) on both the Developmentally Disabled and Skilled Nursing Units

MUSIC THERAPISTS. . .

· Must graduate from an approved music therapy program from more than 70 approved colleges or universities

· Must complete a six month (1,040 consecutive hours minimum) internship at an approved Clinical Training Site

· Must pass the national certification board exam to receive the credential (BC), demonstrating entry level skills in the profession following internship

Must have proper  training and credentials or is not qualified to provide music therapy services
CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information about Music Therapy at Orchard Manor contact:
Lisa Swanson, MMT, MT-BC   (608) 723-2113
e-mail:  lisamusth@yahoo.com

Lisa Swanson, MMT, MT-BC - is the Clinical Training Director and Activity Manager at Orchard Manor.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota and graduated from Temple University with a Master's degree in Music Therapy.  Lisa has worked in long-term care for over thirteen years and has expanded Orchard Manor's music therapy services to the community through a contract with the local hospital.  Lisa works to expand awareness and access to music therapy throughout the community and abroad.  She has additional training in Guided Imagery in Music (Level II) and various music therapy techniques.       

 

Philosophy of the Music Therapy Program

The music therapy department of Orchard Manor is dedicated to a holistic approach in meeting the psychosocial, emotional, cognitive, physiological, sensorimotor, and spiritual needs of our clients in the context of a therapeutic relationship, using music to facilitate each individual's well-being. 

In the Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded, music therapy is utilized in the context of a behavioral model to affect normalization and creative expression.  The Skilled Nursing Facility operates within a medical model and music therapy is used to facilitate healing by addressing cognitive, psychosocial, communication, and physiological functions while promoting interpersonal, emotional, and spiritual expression. 

Clinical techniques utilized include: song writing, song lyric analysis, instrument manipulation, group singing, music and movement, music reminiscence, iso-moodic principle, music-facilitated relaxation, improvisation, song lyric completion, and life reviews through music.

Orchard Manor's motto is "Adding Years to Life and Life to Years" and the music therapy department adheres to this motto by promoting independence for each individual within a musical environment so that this independence may transfer to daily living for each person.  The purpose of music therapy lies not in the music application, but in the specific therapeutic need for each individual.  Music must be used in a purposeful manner in order to meet a need or bring about a desired outcome for each individual.

General Overview of the Music Therapy Internship

No more than two interns will complete an internship at any given  time.  Internship periods will not generally overlap, but exceptions are made based upon each applicant's circumstance.  Internships begin in January and July of each year. 
 
Room/Board:
Free housing within the community will be provided.  Interns will have their own room, full use of kitchen supplies, and use of washing facilities if available.  Interns will have the option of renting an apartment, but availability of apartments is low in Lancaster.
Free lunch will be provided by Orchard Manor on weekdays (M-F) and on any outings interns may attend.  Interns will be responsible for all other meals, but will have use of kitchens within housing.  Arrangements may be made between community members and interns for meals in exchange for household duties, etc.  Interns will be provided with phone number and address of community member that will house them prior to the start of their internship in order to work out details (e.g. what to bring, what is expected, meal arrangements, etc.).  A contract will be formulated for interns and community housing members to sign and which will state expectations of both intern and community member.  In the rare case a community housing placement does not work out, the intern will be moved to another housing situation as soon as possible.

Stipend:
No stipend is presently available.  Part-time jobs may be available in the area, but are discouraged if at all possible.

Liability Coverage:
Each intern will be covered through Orchard Manor policy for accident/injury to self or resident incurred while performing assigned duties on Orchard Manor time/property.

Transportation:
Each intern will need a car in this rural area.  No public transportation is available in Lancaster.  Everything in Lancaster is within walking distance, but there is often the need to drive to other nearby towns.  There will not be mileage reimbursement for extensive traveling.  Any extensive traveling in relation to internship requirements will be made with the Supervising MT-BC/CTD.

Office Space:
An office will be available for music therapy interns with access to computers, office supplies, instruments, and resource materials.

Intern Orientation

The schedule will remain flexible to accommodate the varying needs of each intern. Orientation can be adjusted, while each intern is expected to complete their orientation period in a similar manner.

· Observation by interns will consist of informal (no forms/notes taken) and formal observation (form/notes taken).

· Co-leading will generally begin at the beginning of the second month, but may begin at the end of the first month depending upon each intern’s needs. Co-leading will begin with minimal leading of applications by the intern. The intern will open/close each session and actively participate/assist throughout each session. Each week interns will take on more responsibility of the session until they lead the group on their own.

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Individual sessions will begin during the sixth week of internship.

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Leading groups will generally begin at the end of the second month and the Supervising MT-BC/CTD will be present, available to assist as necessary, but generally remaining as a passive observer. In week nine, the intern will be responsible for their own groups and individual clients without the Supervising RMT or CTD present. If a particular intern demonstrates strong therapeutic understanding and abilities, they may begin leading groups earlier than the regular schedule determines. The CTD and Supervising MT-BC will begin observations the same week that the intern begins to lead alone, so necessary feedback will be provided. The intern will continue to manage their own groups and individual sessions until the completion of their internship.

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Interns will gain experience in leading/co-leading the following groups: varied groups of adults with developmental disabilities (group size and functioning levels are varied); a weekly geriatric music therapy group that implements a variety of music therapy applications (such as song lyric analysis, music reminiscence, song writing, music relaxation, etc.); geriatric sensory groups; assisting a MT-BC with cardiac rehabilitation and children's groups at the local hospital; and daily groups on the secured unit with patients diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer's Disease, mental illness, and Huntington's Disease.

 

Requirements for the Internship

Following orientation, interns will be responsible for treatment planning, data, documentation, and implementation of music therapy programs. Additional responsibilities will include the following: interdisciplinary meetings, observation/supervision/and discussion time with both the Clinical Training Director and the Supervising MT-BC, a case study, a special project, an oral presentation (either in-house or in the community), a daily journal, and Personal Development. Personal Development will be mandatory for the entire Music Therapy Department. Each week the music therapists and interns will come together and explore techniques such as improvisational methods, drumming, Mandala drawings, music-assisted relaxation, life review, etc.