MUSIC THERAPY FAQs

Music Therapy FAQs

 

What is Music Therapy?

The American Music Therapy Association defines Music Therapy as ”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.”

www.musictherapy.org

 

What do music therapists do?

Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, songwriting, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.

 

Who can benefit from music therapy?

Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain. 

 

Who is qualified to practice music therapy?

Persons who complete one of the approved college music therapy curricula (including an internship) are then eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Music therapists who successfully complete the independently administered examination hold the music therapist-board certified credential (MT-BC).

 

Is there research to support music therapy?

The American Music Therapy Association promotes a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy through the publication of the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and other sources. A substantial body of literature exists to support the effectiveness of music therapy.

 

What are some misconceptions about music therapy?

• That the client or patient has to have some particular music ability to benefit from music therapy -- they do not. 

• That there is one particular style of music that is more therapeutic than all the rest -- this is not the case. All styles of music can be useful in effecting change in a client or patient's life. The individual's preferences, circumstances, and need for treatment, and the client or patient's goals help to determine the types of music a music therapist may use.

 

How does Music Therapy compare to music education?

Although we do offer music lessons, music therapy and music education are quite different. Music education can often be product-oriented, focusing on mastery of repertoire. Music therapy tends to be process-oriented focusing on the development of skills both musical and non-musical. We are uniquely able to offer both of these services at the same time.

 

Is Music Therapy insurance reimbursable?

No. Unfortunately, at the present time insurance does not cover our music therapy services.

 

Do I need musical instruments at home?

Owning musical instruments is not required in order to receive music therapy services, but it is certainly encouraged! In this way, you or your family can reinforce the skills worked on in sessions at home.

 

Do you only provide music therapy services?

No, we serve the community in a variety of ways. We offer:

• Clinical music therapy services for both individuals and groups (available virtually or safely in person) 

• Music lessons on guitar, ukulele, saxophone, voice, piano, songwriting, music theory, and audio production (these can be adapted for individuals with disabilities)

• Entertainment for all ages and events including birthday parties, weddings, social events, restaurants/bars, festivals, fundraisers, etc.

 

How do I become a music therapist?

Those who wish to become music therapists must earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved program and have at minimum the entry-level credential, MT-BC to ethically practice as a music therapist. The curriculum includes coursework in music, music therapy, biology, psychology, social and behavioral sciences, and general studies. Clinical skills are developed through 1200 hours of required fieldwork, including an internship in healthcare and/or education facilities. These experiences allow students to learn how to assess the needs of clients, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate and document clinical changes.  Once the music therapy degree is earned and the internship is completed, the student is eligible to sit for a board certification exam to earn the entry-level credential, MT-BC, (music therapist, board-certified) from the credentialing body, the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Check out more on this website under Education & Careers>A Career in Music Therapy and pay particular attention to the Education Path/Options for a music therapy degree for more information.

 

What is the history of music therapy as a health care profession?

The idea of music as a healing influence that could affect health and behavior is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The 20th-century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to Veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients' notable physical and emotional responses to music led the doctors and nurses to request the hiring of musicians by the hospitals. It was soon evident that the hospital musicians needed some prior training before entering the facility and so the demand grew for a college curriculum. The first music therapy degree program in the world, founded at Michigan State University in 1944, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1994. The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998 as a union of the National Association for Music Therapy and the American Association for Music therapy.