What is Music Therapy?
“Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”
- American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
Music Therapy a specialized profession, using clinical music-making to address a person's unique health and wellbeing goals. Music Therapists assess client needs, establish individualized goals, and use music-based experiences, like playing instruments, singing, listening, songwriting, or discussion.
Music Therapy is a unique tool for change, since music is processed by a person's whole brain. It can access and impact areas not affected by injury or disease. Music Therapy is effective for people of all ages, all ages, and you do not need any prior experience or skill with music to benefit from it.
What is a Music Therapist?
The qualifications of a Music Therapist are, at a minimum:
Have completed a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from an institution approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). A clinical internship is required in order to complete this degree.
Are a credentialed Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). MT-BCs maintain their professional status by completing continuing education.
Music Therapists often have additional credentials and training beyond these requirements.
For example, I have also completed:
a Master of Arts in Music Therapy
the Hospice & Palliative Music Therapy certificate (from the Center for Music Therapy at the End of Life).
Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Music therapy is used with a wide range of populations, from all age groups and diverse settings. Some are:
Medical: Hospice, Palliative care, Cancer, etc
Neurocognitive: Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson Disease, Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), etc
Mental and Behavioral Health: Anxiety, Depression, etc
Developmental and Pediatric: Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, etc
And others not listed above.
What are some common goals in Music Therapy?
Before we get started with Music Therapy services, we'll explore your unique needs and goals. Some common areas we may focus on include social and communication skills, movement and motor skills, cognitive skills, symptom management (including pain, anxiety), or developing coping skills.