Frequently asked questions about music therapy
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidenced-based allied health practice that uses musical experiences as a form of therapeutic intervention. Like other forms of therapy, its aim is to help clients improve their quality of life by assisting them in accomplishing specific non-musical therapeutic goals.
What do music therapists do?
When a client is referred to a music therapist, their physical, cognitive, emotional and social strengths and challenges are assessed and a treatment plan is created. Music therapy sessions, one-on-one or in groups, are based on the needs and goals of the client. These sessions use musical experiences such as composition, improvisation, performance, music listening and lyric analysis, movement to music, and other forms of musical engagement. The effectiveness of the interventions is measured and treatment is adjusted as needed, to provide maximum benefit to the client.
Who can benefit from music therapy?
Music therapists work with different client populations, from early childhood through later stages of life. People with developmental disorders, suffering from cognitive or emotional disorders, PTSD, brain injuries, substance addiction or age related disorders may all benefit from music therapy. Music therapists also assist people with physical disabilities and those suffering from both acute and chronic pain.
Who is qualified to be a music therapist?
A board certified music therapist is both an accomplished musician and a trained allied healthcare worker. They have demonstrated an ability to provide emotional support for clients and their families, working within the larger health care community. Those who have completed an approved college program, including an internship, may take the national certification examination.
Are music therapists credentialed?
Once a prospective music therapist has completed their training, they may sit for a national examination administered by the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT), an independent agency accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. After successfully passing the certification tests, they are awarded the Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC) credential. Like other credentialed professionals, music therapists must continue their education and demonstrate continued competence to maintain this credential..
Is there any evidence that music therapy works?
There is a large body of research supporting the efficacy of music therapy. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), for example, publishes ongoing research in two scientific journals: the Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives. Like other credential health care fields, ongoing research informs the best current practices used by music therapists.
What is a typical music therapy session like?
While there are some common practices, there is no such thing as a typical music therapy session. Music therapists work with many different clients, each with their own strengths and needs. Each session is designed to address that person's specific goals.
Aren’t other musicians playing in health care settings practicing music therapy?
Not unless they are board certified music therapists. Certified Therapeutic Musicians and Music-Thanatologists have their own specialties, and may offer therapeutic music within their own fields, but they do not work with all the same patient populations, or share all the same goals and practices, of music therapy.
For more information on music therapy, visit the AMTA’s FAQ page.