Music Therapy

Music Therapy is a unique, well-established health profession that unites music and therapeutic expertise to enhance an individual’s health and quality of life. Music therapy uses clinical and evidence-based music interventions to address physical, psychological, cognitive, and/or social functioning for clients of all ages in a variety of settings. A music therapist (MT) is a specialized professional practicing within this realm that designs and adapts creative musical experiences to match each client’s individual needs, desires, and therapeutic goals. An MT holds a bachelor’s degree or higher from an approved American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) college or university. An MT has been educated in musical, clinical, and music therapy foundations. In addition to academic coursework, the MT student has completed 1200 hours of clinical training. After successfully passing the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) national examination, the graduate is issued the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential. MT’s use their musical talents and therapeutic knowledge to create a nurturing and non-threatening environment that encourages self-expression and social interaction.

Music therapists work with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. They serve clients in medical and psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, schools, community centers, clinics, retirement and residential care facilities, and hospice programs. MT’s use music as a therapeutic tool to treat a broad spectrum of conditions, including psychiatric disorders, medical problems, physical handicaps, sensory impairments, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and age-related diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s...

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Successful outcomes of music therapy are substantial. MT’s have had breakthroughs with autistic children. Structured music lessons have helped these children establish eye contact with others and communicate verbally and nonverbally in socially acceptable ways. Music therapy has been particularly beneficial for the elderly. Listening experiences promote memory recall and reduce apprehension and loneliness. In the elderly song writing provides a means for clients to express their feelings of life and death through the composition of a musical life review.

Regardless of age or musical background, every individual can benefit from music therapy. Working independently or as part of an interdisciplinary team, MT’s blend art and science, music and medicine to create experiences that facilitate physical and emotional healing and increased function.