This AMTA-Pro podcast, the first of a 2-part series, features a lively conversation between three experienced professionals talking about their work as music therapists in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The podcast speakers – Jessy Rushing, Andrea Cevasco, and Olivia Swedberg Yinger – provide examples of the significant impact of music therapy on the infants in NICU as well as on the staff and parents. The panel talks about the types of services music therapists can provide, and exchanges ideas about some of the challenges and rewarding moments music therapy professionals may encounter in NICU settings. The discussion and clinical stories are of interest to music therapists, not matter their area of clinical expertise or experience.


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Music Therapy in Neonatal ICU

AMTA-Pro Podcast

March, 2012

(l-r) Jessy Rushing, Andrea Cevasco, Olivia Swedberg Yinger

Note: The speaker panel recommends this link for a list of helpful resources related to music therapy in NICU: http://nicumt.org/resourceslinks/

AMTA-Pro Podcast Speaker Information

Jessy Rushing, MM, MT-BC

Jessy earned her MT degrees at Florida State University, and has worked at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare where she served as the coordinator of the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy.  Jessy, the founder and director of Edge Music Therapy, currently works with a wide range of populations including individuals with eating disorders, older adults, children with special needs, individuals in hospital settings, and more.  Jessy has publications and presentations to her credit focusing on a variety of topics, including eating disorders, premature infants, women effected by domestic violence, and medical music therapy reimbursement.  She may be contacted at Jessy@edgemusictherapy.com

Andrea Cavesco, PhD, MT-BC

Andrea is Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at The University of Alabama. She obtained her Bachelor of Music (Music Therapy) from The University of Alabama, a Master of Music Education/Therapy from The University of Georgia, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education/Therapy from Florida State University. Prior to attending Florida State University, Dr. Cevasco worked as a private practice music therapist in Athens, GA, working with all ages and various populations in the community. She also taught at The University of Georgia, supervising music therapy students in their clinical work. Dr. Cevasco’s research interests are in the areas of premature infants as well as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia, and her research has been published in the Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives. She is currently a member of the Editorial Committee for the Journal of Music Therapy, Board of Directors for the Certification Board for Music Therapists, Research Committee for the American Music Therapy Association, and Research Committee for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association.

Olivia Swedberg Yinger, MME, MT-BC

Olivia is a doctoral candidate in Music Education/Therapy at the Florida State University (FSU). She is a former Coordinator of the Medical Music Therapy, the Arts in Medicine, and the National Institute for Infant & Child Medical Music Therapy Program, partnerships between FSU and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Olivia previously worked for Healing Hearts Music Therapy in Tallahassee, Florida, where she provided music therapy services to individuals of all ages in public schools, psychiatric facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities. Her areas of research include the use of music therapy with premature infants, improving speech and communication of individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and music therapy as procedural support.

Publications of AMTA-Pro Podcast Speakers

Olivia Swedberg Yinger

Walworth, D., Standley, J., Robertson, Al, Smith, Al, Swedberg, Ol, & Peyton, J.J. (in press). Effects of neurodevelopmental stimulation on premature infants in neonatal intensive care: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neonatal Nursing.

Hillmer, M., Swedberg, O., Standley, J. (2011). Medical music therapy with premature infants: Family-centered services. In A. Meadows (Ed.), Developments in Music Therapy Practice: Case Study Perspectives. Gilsum, New Hampshire: Barcelona Publishers.

Standley, J., & Swedberg, O. (2011). NICU Music therapy: Post hoc analysis of an early intervention clinical program. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38(1), 36-40.

Standley, J.M., Rushing, J., Swedberg, O., & Robertson, A. (2010). Reimbursement for evidence-based NICU-MT. In J. Standley & D. Walworth, Music Therapy with Premature Infants: Research and Developmental Interventions. Silver Spring, MD: American Music Therapy Association.

Andrea Cevasco, PhD, MT-BC

Book Chapters

Potts, D. C., Miller, B. L., Prickett, C. A., Cevasco, A. M., & Duncan, A. C. (June 14, 2012). Expressive Arts Therapies in Geriatric Neurology. In Anil Nair & Marwan N. Sabbagh (Eds.), The Handbook of Geriatric Neurology. Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN-10: 0132099713

Refereed Journal Articles

Pitts, S.E. & Cevasco, A.M. (in press). Survey of music therapy students’ practica experiences working in hospice and palliative care settings. Music Therapy Perspectives.

Cevasco, A.M., VanWeelden, K., & Bula, J. A. (in press). Music therapists’ perception of top ten popular songs by decade (1900s-1960s). Music Therapy Perspectives.

Cevasco, A. M., & Hong, A. (2011). Utilizing technology in clinical practice: A comparison of board-certified music therapists and music therapy students. Music Therapy Perspectives, 29, 62-70.

Cevasco, A. M. (2010). Effects of the therapist’s nonverbal behavior on participation and affect of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease during group music therapy sessions. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(3), 282-299.

Standley, J. M., Cassidy, J., Grant, R., Cevasco, A., Szuch, C., Nguyen, J., et al. (2010). The effect of music reinforcement for non-nutritive sucking via the PAL (Pacifier-Activated Lullabies Apparatus) on achievement of oral feeding by premature infants in the NICU. Pediatric Nursing, 36(3), 138-145.

Cevasco, A. M., & VanWeelden, K. (2010). An analysis of songbook series for older adult populations. Music Therapy Perspectives, 28, 37-78.

VanWeelden, K., & Cevasco, A. M. (2010). Recognition of geriatric popular song repertoire: A comparison of geriatric clients and music therapy students. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(1), 84-99.

VanWeelden, K., & Cevasco, A. M. (2009). Geriatric clients’ preferences for specific popular   songs to use during singing activities. Journal of Music Therapy, 46(2), 147-159.

VanWeelden, K., Juchniewicz, J., & Cevasco, A. (2008). Music therapy students’ recognition of popular song repertoire for geriatric clients. Journal of Music Therapy, 45, 443-456.

Cevasco, A. M. (2008). The effects of mothers’ singing on full-term and preterm infants and maternal emotional responses. Journal of Music Therapy, 45, 273-306

Cevasco, A. M. (2008). Preferred vocal range of young and older adults: Implications for music therapy majors’ clinical training experience. Music Therapy Perspectives, 26, 4-12.

VanWeelden, K., & Cevasco, A. M. (2007). Repertoire recommendations by music therapists for geriatric clients during singing activities. Music Therapy Perspectives, 25, 4-12.

Jones, J. D., & Cevasco, A. M. (2007). A comparison of music therapy students and professional music therapists’ nonverbal behavior: A pilot study. Music Therapy Perspectives, 25, 19-24.

Cevasco, A. M., & Grant, R. E (2006). Value of musical instruments used by the therapist to elicit responses from individuals in various stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Music Therapy, 43, 226-246.

Cevasco, A. M., & Grant, R. E. (2005). Effects of the Pacifier Activated Lullaby on weight gain of premature infants. Journal of Music Therapy, 42, 123-139.

Cevasco, A. M., Kennedy, R., & Generally, N. R. (2005). A comparison of movement-to-music, rhythm activities, and competitive games on stress and anger of female clients in substance abuse rehabilitation. Journal of Music Therapy, 42, 64-80.

Cevasco, A. M., & Grant, R. E. (2003). Comparisons of different methods for eliciting exercise-to-music for clients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Music Therapy, 40, 41-56.

Other Articles

Cevasco, A. M. (2008). Music therapy for children with special needs. Truly Serendipity, 1, 2-3.

Grant, R., Butler, L., & Cevasco, A. (2000). Music therapy nurtures premature infants. Athens Parent Magazine, October/November.

Grant, R., Cevasco, A., & Butler, L. (2000). Music makes sense. Athens Parent Magazine August/September.