Music Therapy

Music therapy uses evidence-based research to assist development in the 4 domains of function: cognition, social, physical and communication.  Music is the foundational tool to facilitate this growth and form a therapeutic relationship.

Common goals include:

• aid speech development
• reduce anxiety
• improve coordination
• help develop relationships
• increase focusing ability
• provide pleasurable experiences
• develop new skills
• reinforce academic concepts
• offer support at end of life

Ages and abilities may include but are not limited to:

• Children and adults with special needs
• Those with severe mental illness
• Elderly
• Neurological disorders or injuries
• Individuals diagnosed with cancer or other high risk medical conditions
• Young children
• Individuals in hospice and/or palliative care
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

We serve the following facilities in West Michigan:

Lincoln Developmental Center
Lincoln School
Pine Grove Learning Center
KC Oakleigh
South Godwin Elementary
North Godwin Elementary
West Godwin Elementary
Sunset of Jenison
Covenant Living of the Great Lakes
Harbor House Ministries
Porter Hills Village and Porter Hills Green Houses
Georgetown and Cambridge Manors
Clark Retirement Community on Franklin and Kellar Lake
Early Childhood Center, Jenison Public Schools
Dominican Sisters – Grand Rapids
The ARC of Allegan
PACE Care Resources
Spectrum Community Services
Yorkshire and Stonebridge Manors
Network 180: Arbor Circle
Corewell Health Hospice – Allegan, Barry, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties
Lakeshore Assisted Living, Grand Haven
Lowell Public Schools
Maple Ridge Manor of Lowell
Valleywood Middle School of Kentwood Public Schools
Reeths-Puffer Schools, Muskegon

Specific services provided at the Franciscan Life Process Center or contracted with area agencies include:

• music therapy assessment
• individual music therapy
• group music therapy
• music lessons for those with special needs
• consultation services for educational facilities, homes for the elderly, and others
• music therapy internships, observations, field experiences

If your agency is interested in contracting with us, please contact Sandy Koteskey, Center Director & Music Therapist, skoteskey@lifeprocesscenter.org or call: 616-897-7842, ext. 315.

Enrollment is always open, but contingent on the schedule and availability of the therapist. The intake process could vary between one week to up to three months.

Music Therapy Assessment: Children 

In our experience as music therapists, we understand that your child’s world is made up of many working parts. Collectively, it helps to have a comprehensive overview of the child’s experience prior to beginning services. Therefore our assessment process is a two-tiered approach:

• Family Interview with the music therapist
• This one-hour meeting (preferably without the client) is with the therapist. It provides the family an opportunity to share any information or documents pertinent to the success of the child’s treatment. For example, medical history, family dynamics, previous evaluations or treatment plans, etc.
• Music Therapy Assessment Session with your child
• This 45-minute appointment is a one-on-one experience with the child and therapist. This session provides the therapist with a hands-on assessment to see the child’s interaction and communication style, as well as assess instrumental responses, preferences and capabilities.

Following these appointments, a treatment plan is designed. The therapist provides a comprehensive report on the assessment and gives the recommended goals and objectives.

Please call 616-897-7842 regarding fees for the assessment and music therapy.

Music Therapy Assessment: Adults 

The assessment process for adults is the same as above, but the adult is invited to be a part of it, depending on the cognitive capacity of the adult client.

Please contact Sandy Koteskey, Center Director & Music Therapist, skoteskey@lifeprocesscenter.org or call: 616-897-7842 ext. 315 regarding fees for the assessment and music therapy.

Typically, Music Therapy is not covered by insurance. Some agencies who provide Medicaid support services may cover the cost, but consolation with a social worker is recommended. Health Savings accounts may be used to fund services and monthly statements of payment can be provided.

Other local organizations may provide grants for cost assistance. Family Hope Foundation offers scholarship assistance up to $1000 if selected, and they receive applications twice a year.

If finances are an extreme inhibitor, please contact Sandy Koteskey, Center Director & Music Therapist, skoteskey@lifeprocesscenter.org or call: 616-897-7842 ext. 315.

Clients Served

Community Based Service, Early Childhood Development, Schools, Geriatric Facilities, Hospice & Palliative Care, and Group Homes

Population: Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Early Childhood, Neurologically Impaired, Developmentally Disabled, Learning Disabled, Speech Impaired, Mental Health, Palliative Care, Hospice

Essentials

Internship Applications due: November 1
Internship start date: Last week of August
Stipend: Not provided
Meals: Not Provided

Training

The greatest strength of this program lies in the stability and dedication of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who hold the continuity of the programs at the Center. Together with qualified lay faithful the Center is able to provide a tremendous amount of diversity in programming. The intern will not only work with several music therapists but also with a variety of persons with special needs.

The intern will need to have the ability to be flexible in order to adjust to changes due to weather conditions and have a reliable vehicle for necessary travel.

Please click here to fill out and submit an application for the music therapy internship program. You will need to submit documents to accompany your application.

Director of Music Therapy Internship Program

Franciscan Life Process Center
Amanda Partlo MT-BC
11650 Downes Street
Lowell, MI 49331-9489
Phone 616-897-7842
apartlo@lifeprocesscenter.org

Links

American Music Therapy Association
Michigan Music Therapy Association