Are you looking to get on top of developing and sustaining a new music therapy program? We’d like to encourage you with some quick tips on some ways to approach your new program! Stay tuned as we role out with more blogs and share stories about our recent success in beginning at 25-hour NMT program at a local hospital!
Our tips on how to develop an NMT or music therapy program:
Start somewhere! Dream big! List 3 places you want to start a music therapy program. Research what the venue of your choice is already doing well, and find out how music therapy can add value. Remember, you’re not coming in to change their structure, just enhancing what they are already offering. Figure out the chain-of-command and find your champion(s). Sometimes relationships begin through somebody who knows somebody, but if you are limited on contacts, don’t be afraid to reach out directly to initiate relationship. Provide the AMTA research packets, as well as a detailed plan of services you hope to offer. In the end, if a program doesn’t surface, maintain your relationship with your champions. Why burn bridges? You never know when you may need those relationships in the future.
Our story: In June 2014, I approached the PBMTI managing partner, Bree, about wanting to contact a local hospital to begin a music therapy program. Though I had made some contacts, on my own, I did not have the tax history to verify that I was a reputable business partner, thus could not go forward as an independent contractor (not always the case, however). I chose Bree because we had had several years of professional relationship. I knew I could trust her leadership as a supervisor. When I approached Bree, I discovered the same week, she met the director of rehabilitation at the hospital I was hopeful to begin a program at. Serendipitous much?
My work with Bree was very simple. We partnered together to meet with the director of rehab over the course of several months to cast vision, provide AMTA research/facts packets, and a list of potential services and evidenced-based practices that we would offer. The director of rehab (who was a believer and advocate of music therapy herself) took a physician with her to present the facts of music therapy to the hospital’s foundation to request funds to start a program. We aimed high for a 40-hour position with the expectation of being worked “lower.” The foundation granted a 20-hour position for a music therapy program to begin! Once our tax history was submitted for verification, the CFO suggested our contract be moved up to 25 hours a week to reduce our service fees (more hours = lower fees). With tweaks to the language of the contracts here and there, and many conversations with the hospital’s legal department, the contract was finalized in April 2015 – nearly one year after the journey began!! The hard work, patience, and meeting the right people at the right time had opened a wonderful door. We would begin work in the rehabilitation inpatient unit servicing groups and individuals in May!
Things began moving … fast!
Once I signed the contract with PBMTI, I transitioned from a 4.5 year career in hospice (Trustbridge, Health) to Memorial Regional Hospital South within a two week period and absolutely no down time.
Besides all the emotions swirling, any music therapist in transition may verify that perhaps the biggest source of stress in beginning a new music therapy program is the not knowing how to succeed, given almost absolutely nothing is known about the approaching challenges. The fear of the unknown is real, but it doesn’t have to be crippling.
What was our first day like at the new job and how did we prepare for it? How have we sustained a successful program and continued to make strong impressions on the directors? Come back next week to find out!