Katie Lindenfelser, MMus, MT-BC
Katie Lindenfelser is a music therapist, massage therapist and reflexologist. During her training as a music therapist at Augsburg College, she began working with hospice patients and found that children and families were especially responsive to music therapy, massage therapy and reflexology, and in need of services. She first worked for Seasons Hospice in Chicago, IL following her internship at Lutheran General Hospital where she provided music therapy to many children at the end of life and for their families through bereavement. From there she returned to MN to provide music therapy at Ridgeview Hospice and also began training in massage and reflexology at Sr. Rosalind’s School of Professional Massage. While providing music therapy and massage therapy to two children on Ridgeview’s hospice program, she was asked many times, “Why has music therapy not been offered to us sooner?” She observed, and the children’s parents commented on, the beauty of seeing their child smile during music, the bonding experience it created, and the memories of love and joy that remained. This started her journey to advocate for children with life-limiting conditions to receive music therapy, massage and other services.
Because there was very little written about providing music therapy specifically in the area of children’s palliative and hospice care, Katie went to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a master’s degree by research. In Melbourne, music therapy has been well-established within the children’s hospital’s, palliative care and hospice programs. Katie interviewed several families about their experiences of music therapy when their child was near the end-of-life, and with that learned about the value families found with music therapy in the midst of adversity.
During her time in Melbourne, she visited Very Special Kids, a children’s hospice in the suburbs of Melbourne and realized what a treasure this place is for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Upon her return to Minnesota, following her master’s degree, Katie continued to advocate, write grants and pursue the addition of music therapy, massage therapy and reflexology for children receiving palliative care. She began working for the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota as well as for Hospice of the Twin Cities.
In the fall of 2008 Katie returned again to Melbourne to provide music therapy at Very Special Kids. At this time, it became evident to her that it is vital to pursue the creation of a children’s respite and hospice home in Minnesota. Katie met with the founder of Very Special Kids, Margaret Noone and also visited another children’s hospice in Sydney, Australia called “Bear Cottage”. Through these meetings, Katie learned more about the process and understood the vitality of having a children’s hospice in order to serve and support the community, especially families and children who can be strained due to the demanding cares involved.
Since early 2009 Katie has been working with a team of talented individuals to create the foundation of Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota. With additional support from leading experts in the field and community, this organization will serve children with life-limiting conditions and their families through respite stays for the child and/or family and by providing loving and compassionate care at the end-of-life and beyond.