Music Therapy Shifts Online with Focus on Telehealth
Shenandoah Conservatory’s music therapy program has quickly and effectively responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. On an academic level, music therapy faculty shifted course curriculum and clinical training to embrace telehealth. Some of the program’s interns are at the leading edge of the telehealth transition with private practices completely altering their delivery model to provide teletherapy and additional resources for clients. In the classroom, music therapy students are learning about telehealth and assignments have shifted to include telehealth work.
On Wednesday, March 25, the music therapy program hosted a Zoom seminar with two classes — one undergraduate and one graduate level — to hear firsthand from Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Kerry Devlin ’17, M.M.T., (clinical training director) and Ritchie Young (music therapy intern) about the work they were doing in telehealth.
Music therapy has been identified as an essential service in most health care settings and music therapists are continuing to provide therapy during COVID-19. Music therapists are providing services to families at reduced cost/free. This includes materials parents can use at home; recordings of sessions families can use with the children; materials for the elderly who are socially isolated, and songs and other music that has a community or social impact.”
Anthony Meadows, Ph.D., MT-BC | Director of Music Therapy Studies
Music therapist Kevin Leong improvises on the guitar — sharing a quiet moment in an uncertain time:
Vocalist Shirin Al-Ansi ’20 (Professional Studies Program for Music Therapy Certification Eligibility) and guitarist Sam Christie ’20 (Professional Studies Program for Music Therapy Certification Eligibility) performed a song they wrote and produced for clients in their community (individuals with autism) to remind them of the importance of reaching out to others.
Ritchie Young ’20 (Bachelor of Music Therapy) created a fun resource for parents to use at home with their kids.
Ray Leone ’86, ’17, (Bachelor of Music Therapy, Master of Music Therapy), MT-BC, provided music at INOVA Loudoun on Friday, March 27, during the COVID-19 outbreak.
