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

Salary : $31 - $34