Hospice of Palm Beach County hosts the CMTE Spectacular Hospice of Palm Beach County is hosting the CMTE Spectacular February 6-8, 2009 at the C.W. Gerstenberg Hospice Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Music Therapists from across the United States will attend this Continuing Music Therapy Education conference as a way to fulfill the 20 credits they need to earn each year for certification. 
At Hospice of Palm Beach County, Board Certified Music Therapists utilize music to meet the unique needs of patients and their families. Music therapy is a patient-centered, non-invasive intervention designed to alleviate pain and stress, effectively manage physical symptoms, facilitate emotional expression, enhance mood, stimulate memory recall, and provide unique opportunities for interaction and emotional intimacy. As a recognized health profession, Music therapy is the use of music-centered experiences between a credentialed professional and a patient to achieve his/her therapeutic goals.
Music Therapists must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree at an accredited university including courses in music therapy and history, psychology, anatomy and physiology, and music therapy methods. A 1,040 hour internship is required, after which prospective music therapists take a national board certification exam. To maintain their certification, music therapists must earn 100 hours of continuing education credits every five years. One of the leading music therapy departments in the country, Hospice of Palm Beach County selects three music therapy interns per year and is certified to provide continuing education.
The Music Therapy department of Hospice of Palm Beach County is the first music therapy department in the nation to offer a conference of this scope. The conference includes six different courses designed and presented by the Music Therapists at Hospice of Palm Beach County. All courses are approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists(CBMT) for credits and include:
Synergistic Music Therapy: An Integrative Model
This 8 CMTE course will guide music therapists in the use of various integrative therapy modalities to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit in any setting. Through active participation, this experiential course will explore the holistic model, describe co-facilitation with other disciplines, and cover techniques and modalities that can be immediately implemented in conjunction with music therapy.
Internship Directors Workshop
This 8 CMTE course is designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among Internship Directors and Supervisors. Topics will include structuring an internship, the development of schedules and assignments, supervision, evaluations, meeting AMTA guidelines, and communication with Universities. Current trends among internship directors will be explored and participants will be encouraged to share ideas and resources from their perspective sites. The workshop will focus on encouraging participants to collaborate in order to share successes and develop solutions to challenges we all face.
Practical Music Therapy Interventions for Individuals with Alzheimers/Dementia
This 5 CMTE course is designed for music therapists at any level who are seeking further understanding of and expanding practical interventions for patients with Alzheimers Disease and related dementias. Special emphasis will be placed on multi-sensory interventions, expanding repertoire, and practical adaptations of musical elements that meet the needs of those with Alzheimers Disease.
Multicultural Music Therapy
This two day, 13 CMTE course aims to develop multicultural competency for music therapists. Using a variety of experientials, discussion, lecture and music making experiences, participants will improve their self-awareness, knowledge and repertoire. Tools and resources for developing your own multicultural resource manual will be included.
Supportive Counseling in Music Therapy
This two day, 13 CMTE course is offered to any music therapist looking to enhance his/her skills in verbal counseling techniques. With a focus on the practical application of various counseling approaches, the course will include many opportunities for participants to observe, experience and demonstrate active listening, interpreting and responding skills. The incorporation of music therapy techniques into more traditional counseling approaches will be explored, with time for music sharing incorporated throughout the weekend.
Mini-Disk Recorders, IPods, and Software, oh My!: Technology in Music Therapy
This 8 CMTE course will introduce current technologies that music therapists can apply in clinical practice. Topics will include GarageBand, iMovie, iTunes, and Finale software, as well as the operation of mini-disk recorders and iPods. The integration of these technologies will also be discussed. Participants will be given an opportunity for hands-on exploration of the technologies presented.