Music Therapist

Summary of Position:

The Music Therapist provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed music therapy services to children and adolescents receiving psychiatric residential treatment. The therapist uses evidence-based music interventions to support emotional regulation, self-expression, coping skills, communication, social development, behavioral stabilization, and relationship building. Working as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, collaborating with families, therapists, psychiatrists, nursing staff, educators, direct-care staff, and other treatment providers. Services may include individual, group, and family-focused interventions designed to address treatment-plan goals and the unique needs of children and families impacted by trauma, behavioral health concerns, attachment disruptions, and other adverse experiences.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide individual, group, and family music therapy consistent with each client’s treatment plan and identify clinical needs.
• Complete music therapy assessments and identify clinical goals, interventions, and outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized music therapy treatment plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Utilize music-based interventions to facilitate safe emotional expression and processing while maintaining appropriate therapeutic boundaries.
• Incorporate songwriting, lyric discussion, improvisation, music listening, movement, rhythm-based activities, relaxation techniques, and other appropriate clinical interventions.
• Provide interventions for children with varying developmental abilities, behavioral presentations, cognitive abilities, cultural backgrounds, and levels of musical experience.
• Coordinate care with therapists and other treatment providers.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation, including assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment in accordance with facility policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect client privacy and dignity.
• Maintain and safely manage music therapy instruments, equipment, supplies, and therapeutic materials.
• Provide annual in-service presentations and education for staff around music therapy.

The position requires a strong understanding of trauma-informed care, cultural humility, child and adolescent development, therapeutic boundaries, and the use of music as a clinical intervention rather than solely as recreation or entertainment. The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in music therapy from an accredited program.
• MT-BC credential required
• A minimum of three years' experience working with children and/or adolescents preferred
• Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric residential treatment, trauma-informed care, foster care, community mental health, or related settings.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and strength-based approaches to treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining proper professional boundaries.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication, documentation, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to adapt music therapy interventions to clients with diverse developmental, behavioral, emotional, cultural, and musical needs.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and therapeutic focused during periods of client distress or behavioral escalation.
• Commitment to providing culturally responsive, inclusive, and nonjudgmental care.
• Successful completion of required background checks, employment screenings, and facility-required training.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain certification within the organization's required time limit.
• Work is performed primarily in a psychiatric residential treatment setting serving children and adolescents with behavioral health and trauma-related needs.
• Ability to safely move throughout residential, clinical, classroom, recreational, and outdoor areas as needed.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move between different therapeutic environments throughout the workday.
• Ability to play and demonstrate a variety of musical instruments and participate in movement-based therapeutic activities as clinically appropriate.
• Ability to lift, carry, and safely transport musical instruments, equipment, and supplies, up to 25–40 pounds as required by the program.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to changing client needs and emergency situations.
• May work with clients who demonstrate emotional dysregulation, aggression, impulsivity, self-injurious behaviors, or other behavioral challenges; staff must follow facility-approved safety and crisis-response procedures.
• May be exposed to elevated noise levels, emotional distress, and unpredictable behaviors associated with a psychiatric residential treatment environment.
• Work may include extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, or participating in active therapeutic programming.
• Must be able to maintain appropriate professional conduct and therapeutic boundaries in a highly structured, team-based residential environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job function