Foundations of Hospice Music Therapy
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Go VIPHospice music therapy is some of the most meaningful work you can do. It’s also some of the hardest to walk into without guidance. If you’ve had limited exposure to hospice settings, it can be difficult to know where to start, what good work looks like, or how to build a practice that actually fits the philosophy of end-of-life care.
This 10 CMTE class is a practical introduction designed for music therapists who are new to hospice or thinking about making the transition. With Sandy, you’ll learn what this work looks like day to day, find help starting or growing a hospice music therapy program, and feel ready to develop goals and strategies that align with how hospice care actually works.
You’ll walk away with:
- Tools to build a personal hospice music therapy toolkit with at least 5 songs, prompts, and strategies you can use right away and adapt to any patient
- Sample documentation language for communicating your work to hospice teams and administrators, so you’re never stuck staring at a blank chart note
- 40+ resources including secular and inclusive options for facility memorials and celebrations of life
- A clear framework for setting goals that align with hospice plans of care, including how to document non-linear progress in ways that demonstrate your value to the team
- Hands-on practice adapting your existing repertoire across different levels of alertness and responsiveness, so you’re prepared for whatever a session brings
- Greater confidence navigating family dynamics, spiritual sensitivity, and the emotional weight of this work, without losing your professional footing
How it works: The CMTE is built on four sessions with Sandy, with quick action steps to build your skills along the way.
Before you dive into the sessions, you’ll work through 100 mins of prep materials:
- A behind the scenes interview with Sandy
- A research article on music therapy and end-of-life care
- A reflection guide to help you come in ready to engage
Each session builds on the last:
- Session 1: Hospice philosophy, scope of practice, and goal setting
- Session 2: Clinical approaches, case studies, and music in practice
- Session 3: Family support, cultural considerations, and legacy work
- Session 4: Documentation, outcomes, professional sustainability, and closing Q&A
Between sessions, there are short action steps to help you apply what you’re learning to your own practice.
This course is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 10 CMTEs.
Do you have questions? Special requests? Group access? Student discount? We will work with you!
Send an email to Paige at Info@MusicTherapyEd.com with your specific request, and we will respond with a custom solution just for you. (Paige is a music therapist too! She can help.)
About the Instructor
Sandy Golias, MT-BC, HPMT
Sandy Golias, MT-BC, HPMT, has been a board-certified music therapist since 2018 and recently completed certification in Hospice and Palliative Music Therapy through the Center for Music Therapy in End of Life Care. She holds degrees in Music Education and Piano Performance from Barclay College in Kansas and spent more than 15 years teaching music and drama in public and private school settings.
Sandy has worked extensively in hospice and long-term care settings, including her role as a music therapist with Brookdale Hospice in Colorado Springs. She later founded Mountain MusicTherapy Services, providing group music therapy services to more than 30 nursing homes, assisted living communities, and memory care units throughout Colorado. In 2022, she began contract work with Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, where she developed the music therapy role into a full-time position and served for over three years.
In October 2025, Sandy and her husband, Tim, relocated to North Carolina. She now serves as a music therapist on the Healing Arts Team at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, working with Med-Surg, Rehabilitation, Mental Health, and Neurology populations. Sandy and Tim live in Leland, North Carolina, where they enjoy hiking, cooking, time at the beach, and life with their beloved cat, Nikki.
Kind Words
“Sandy’s ability to break things down to simplicity, explain things clearly, and encourage participation in a thoughtful, unintimidating way made all the difference.”
“Not only did Sandy present a lot of useful information and provide helpful resources, but she made it fun and easy to play along with her.”
“She was so energizing and the perfect balance of encouragement and get up and go.“
This class was excellent in refreshing my memory in documentation language, boosting confidence in my presence in the room, and learning about specifics with end of life care. I foresee myself becoming more aware of my presence and with learning to let the moment happen without over inserting myself. Additionally, with bringing joy with music for myself, my patients, and their families.
It was filled to the brim with beneficial resources and created a welcoming space to learn and grow together as music therapists strictly for the benefit of our clients.
I have worked in hospice for 15 years so I wondered if there would be relevant information for a seasoned professional but there was!
“It was informative, professional, and the handouts are something you can save and look at for years to come.”
“Sandy definitely inspired me with her own personal story of taking her position into full time status. I wish I could’ve said that in my past. I really value the language she presented with phrases like “who’s need is being met right now” and other points to address with the administration regarding the value of Music Therapy services. I liked her song suggestions, humor, and engagement. Overall, she helped validate things I already knew and I got excellent ideas from others in the chat, especially with legacy projects and interventions.”
“Yes [I’d recommend this class], it had a lot of practical skills for music therapists working or wanting to work in hospice. It was also helpful to hear the instructor’s perspective and how to manage the heaviness that can come with hospice.”
“I really enjoyed Sandy. This is my 2nd class from her and she presents very well, very organized, with a wealth of information and very thorough. She’s very encouraging and inspiring.”
“Sandy is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough and it is clear that she has a passion for what she does.”
“Honestly, I can’t begin to think how to better this course. I enjoyed Sandy’s presentation style. She was obviously very experienced and her style was relaxed, caring and funny. I also enjoyed how comprehensive the presentation was.”
“This course is so comprehensive and covers all areas of hospice work. Highly recommend to anyone curious about hospice music therapy.”
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CBMT Relationship: Foundations of Hospice Music Therapy: Supporting Patients and Families in End of Life Care with Sandy Golias, MT-BC, HPMT is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 10 Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. Sound Health Music, Approved Provider #P-110, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria. Please view the required CBMT information.