Raleigh, NC

Clients Served
Setting(s): Forensic facility, Geriatric psychiatric unit, Inpatient psychiatric unit, State institution (not ICF/MR)
Population(s): Mental health, Alzheimer's/dementia, Elderly persons, Forensic
Age Range: Young-old adult

Facility Characteristics
Dorothea Dix Hospital serves approximately 500 patients with psychiatric disorders of both the chronic and acute nature. Units at the hospital are designed specifically for adults and geriatrics. The hospital has many clinical training programs other than internships in music therapy, including psychiatry residents, senior medical students, student nurses, and interns in social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and therapeutic recreation. The hospital is located with easy access to schools such as UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke for various learning opportunities. The hospital also houses several specialized services for the state of North Carolina, including Deaf Services, a Clinical Research Unit, Medical and Surgical Treatment, and Pre-trial Evaluation.

Training
Music therapy functions as part of the Rehabilitation Therapies Department which also includes Therapeutic Recreation, Horticulture Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Work Therapy, Work Activity Center, Leisure Recreation, Patient Education Services, Cosmetology and Barber Services, and Community Reintegration Services.

Music therapy interns should have some knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, medical terminology, general assessment techniques and treatment interventions as well as functional skills on piano and guitar. There are available opportunities to work with patients involved in clinical research studies here at the hospital (depression and substance abuse), in addition to other diagnoses in a music therapy setting. Music therapy also serves patients in the pre-trial evaluation program in forensic psychiatry for the state of North Carolina.

Music therapy services are provided in both small group and 1:1 settings. The music therapy program uses an eclectic approach with its centralized services, and therapists work with patients of various levels of functioning which allows the intern to explore his/her creativity. All therapists serve as a rehabilitation therapies department coordinator on a multi-disciplinary treatment team.

Essentials
Starting Months: January, April, July, October
Housing: Low cost
Meals: Not provided
Stipend: $0.00

Clinical Training Director
Dorothea Dix Hospital
Barbara Meador, MT-BC
820 South Boylan Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27603-2176
Phone: (919) 715-1187
Fax: (919) 715-1709

Record last modified: January 31, 2005