From Surviving to Thriving: Creating a Viable Virtual Model of Music Therapy Internship in Private Practice During a Global Pandemic

Abstract

Though many music therapists pivoted to offer online clinical services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the methodology of music therapy internship sites that adapted to a virtual model of internship during this time is largely unknown. The private practice the authors work for, located in a large metropolitan area of the United States, has trained at least 11 interns using a virtual model of music therapy supervision created during the pandemic. The practice’s five internship supervisors use technology tools including Zoom, Google Drive, and Calendly as the basis for their virtual supervision program. Programming concepts for interns include online group supervision to discuss professional topics, intern social hours, intern study hall hours, and supplemental online resources for intern growth and reflection. Supervisor and intern feedback highlighted major challenges including clear communication, clinical skill development, and maintaining work-life balance during a virtual internship. The authors stress the need for vulnerable leadership and open communication in this model of internship. Advantages of a virtual model include decreased financial burden for interns, increased flexibility of programming, and increased accommodations available for interns. A partial or total online model of internship can be one strategy to meet the growing need for internship sites as the pandemic continues and society becomes increasingly technological.