Children and Adolescent Grief & Loss Music Therapy Institute

The Center for Music Therapy in End of Life Care, LLC

Date: April 27, 2026
Live Session: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST (via Zoom)
Asynchronous Learning: 8 hours (to be completed prior to live session)
Total Credits: 19 CMTEs
Registration Fee: $495
Prerequisites: None

The Children and Adolescent Grief & Loss Music Therapy Institute is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 19 credits. The Center for Music Therapy in End of Life Care, LLC maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Course Description

Grieving children and adolescents are an often underserved population in our communities. Although awareness of their needs has grown, formalized counseling opportunities remain limited nationwide. Music therapists are uniquely positioned to provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate grief support in schools, places of worship, mental health agencies, hospitals, hospices, and community settings.

This dynamic, hands-on institute provides an easily replicable curriculum for serving grieving children and teens. Participants will learn to develop and implement grief support groups, provide family-based and individual bereavement counseling, and contribute to grief camps. Through theory integration, experiential learning, and supervised role-play practice, music therapists will gain practical tools and confidence to serve this population effectively.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this institute, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the developmental needs and abilities of grieving children and adolescents.
   
   
2. Recognize the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual impacts of grief among children and teens.
   
   
3. Develop a multi-modal, creative arts therapy approach within a psychotherapeutic framework.
   
   
4. Design music therapy-based session plans tailored to grieving children and adolescents.
   
   
5. Demonstrate and practice music therapy curricula and interventions under clinical supervision.
   
   

Instructional Format

Asynchronous Learning (8 Hours – Required Prior to Live Session)

Participants will complete online coursework including:

• Developmental theories of childhood and adolescent grief
  
  
• Psychotherapeutic frameworks in grief work
  
  
• Creative arts therapy approaches
  
  
• Curriculum overview and intervention demonstrations
  
  
• Preparation for live role-play and experiential practice
  
  

Completion of asynchronous modules is required prior to attending the live training day.

Live Virtual Learning Day (8 Hours – Attendance Required)

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Introductions, discussion, and Q&A from asynchronous learning

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Small Groups: Childhood grief experiences and songwriting

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Sharing grief songs

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Break

2:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Role Plays (Supervised Practice)

3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
Meal Break

4:15 PM – 5:45 PM
Role Plays (Continued)

5:45 PM – 6:00 PM
Break

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Role Play Debrief

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Questions and Wrap-Up

Teaching Methods

• Didactic instruction
  
  
• Curriculum demonstration
  
  
• Experiential learning
  
  
• Small group work
  
  
• Songwriting exercises
  
  
• Supervised role-play practice
  
  
• Clinical discussion and debrief
  
  

Target Audience

Board-Certified Music Therapists (MT-BCs) seeking:

• Advanced training in childhood and adolescent grief work
  
  
• Replicable curriculum for grief groups and camps
  
  
• Expanded clinical tools for bereavement support
  
  
• CMTE credits toward recertification
  
  

Cancellation Policy

• 30 days prior to the webinar: 50% refund
  
  
• 2 weeks prior to the webinar: 25% refund