Abstract
Music therapy interns experience a wide variety of emotions in regard to the clinical
internship, particularly during the last half of the music therapy internship. There is a lack in
the music therapy literature pertaining to this topic. The study titled, Factors Influencing
Music Therapy Interns’ Feelings during the Last Half of the Music Therapy Internship
strives to identify the factors that influence music therapy interns’ feelings. A qualitative
approach was used for the purpose of the study and a questionnaire consisting of 10
questions. Participants were asked to identify the five most prevalent feelings that they were
experiencing in regard to the last half of the music therapy internship. They were then asked
to include factors pertaining to each of the five identified feelings. Four main themes
emerged out of the identified factors and in specific regard to music therapy interns’ feelings
during the last half of the music therapy internship. The four themes were (a) the job (b)
professional role (c) the future (d) completion of the internship. As result of the study, music
therapy students, music therapy interns, clinical internship directors and supervisors may
gain a better awareness and understanding of factors pertaining to music therapy interns’
feelings during the last half of the music therapy internship thus leading to a more satisfying
internship experience.
