What is music therapy?
What is music therapy?
What is music therapy?
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind.
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind.
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind.
August 6, 2025
August 6, 2025
August 6, 2025
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind. We often hear the word “Music” and we often hear about the benefits of “Therapy” but what the heck is “Music Therapy”?
The Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) organization defines music therapy as “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed
professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Holy crap, that’s a lot of jargon. Let’s break it down piece by piece.
“Clinical and evidence based use”
Music therapy, just like a therapy profession from a credentialed talk-based therapy session, is a researched profession with different methodologies of practice. There is both qualitative (subjective) and quantitative (objective) research on the efficacy of the music therapy profession.
Music Interventions
When we use music in a clinical manner, we call the musical activity a “musical intervention”. Through this intentional use of music, music therapists have a particular outcome that they are trying to achieve through the music. These outcomes are specific to the individual goals, which is my next point.
Individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels
Music Therapy is when a music therapist uses music to help people achieve goals that are nonmusical. These goals can be individualized to the particular needs of each client. When I work with children with autism, I may be focused on communication through music, improving emotional expression, as well as working on sustained attention. When I am working with patients in a psychiatric unit, I may be focusing on these same goals, but the “music intervention” and approach that I will take will likely look different. Through group music making, songwriting and improvisation patients can take initiative of the music in the sessions. Through song listening and discussion, patients can consciously process their feelings through music.
Credentialed Professional
To receive the Title of MT-BC (Music Therapy Board-Certified), a person must complete either a bachelors or a masters (Or Master’s equivalency) in Music Therapy, complete a 6-month internship, and then pass the board exam. It is a process to become a music therapist, and is not something that someone can just wake up and decide to do without making a commitment to the profession. This training and credential ensures that a music therapist’s practice follows ethical guidelines and mitigates risk for harm with music therapy.
Approved Music Therapy Program
There are 80+ Approved programs for music therapy. HERE (https://musictherapysource.com/) is a list of the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) approved programs
Are you interested in becoming a music therapist?
Reach out to me! I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Our field is small, but growing. I would be happy to talk to anybody who is interested in pursuing this career, or any parents of children that may be interested as well.
You can contact me through here: Ben@crescendocaremt.com
415-827-0012 → I get too many spam calls so please shoot me a text first!
Find a Music Therapist near you!
Click HERE to find a music therapist in your area.
Yes it’s a thing. Yes, I offer it. No you do not need to have a diagnosis.
Click HERE to schedule a consultation with me to see if we could be a good fit.
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind. We often hear the word “Music” and we often hear about the benefits of “Therapy” but what the heck is “Music Therapy”?
The Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) organization defines music therapy as “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed
professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Holy crap, that’s a lot of jargon. Let’s break it down piece by piece.
“Clinical and evidence based use”
Music therapy, just like a therapy profession from a credentialed talk-based therapy session, is a researched profession with different methodologies of practice. There is both qualitative (subjective) and quantitative (objective) research on the efficacy of the music therapy profession.
Music Interventions
When we use music in a clinical manner, we call the musical activity a “musical intervention”. Through this intentional use of music, music therapists have a particular outcome that they are trying to achieve through the music. These outcomes are specific to the individual goals, which is my next point.
Individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels
Music Therapy is when a music therapist uses music to help people achieve goals that are nonmusical. These goals can be individualized to the particular needs of each client. When I work with children with autism, I may be focused on communication through music, improving emotional expression, as well as working on sustained attention. When I am working with patients in a psychiatric unit, I may be focusing on these same goals, but the “music intervention” and approach that I will take will likely look different. Through group music making, songwriting and improvisation patients can take initiative of the music in the sessions. Through song listening and discussion, patients can consciously process their feelings through music.
Credentialed Professional
To receive the Title of MT-BC (Music Therapy Board-Certified), a person must complete either a bachelors or a masters (Or Master’s equivalency) in Music Therapy, complete a 6-month internship, and then pass the board exam. It is a process to become a music therapist, and is not something that someone can just wake up and decide to do without making a commitment to the profession. This training and credential ensures that a music therapist’s practice follows ethical guidelines and mitigates risk for harm with music therapy.
Approved Music Therapy Program
There are 80+ Approved programs for music therapy. HERE (https://musictherapysource.com/) is a list of the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) approved programs
Are you interested in becoming a music therapist?
Reach out to me! I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Our field is small, but growing. I would be happy to talk to anybody who is interested in pursuing this career, or any parents of children that may be interested as well.
You can contact me through here: Ben@crescendocaremt.com
415-827-0012 → I get too many spam calls so please shoot me a text first!
Find a Music Therapist near you!
Click HERE to find a music therapist in your area.
Yes it’s a thing. Yes, I offer it. No you do not need to have a diagnosis.
Click HERE to schedule a consultation with me to see if we could be a good fit.
When we hear the phrase “Music Therapy” a lot of different things can come to mind. We often hear the word “Music” and we often hear about the benefits of “Therapy” but what the heck is “Music Therapy”?
The Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) organization defines music therapy as “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed
professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Holy crap, that’s a lot of jargon. Let’s break it down piece by piece.
“Clinical and evidence based use”
Music therapy, just like a therapy profession from a credentialed talk-based therapy session, is a researched profession with different methodologies of practice. There is both qualitative (subjective) and quantitative (objective) research on the efficacy of the music therapy profession.
Music Interventions
When we use music in a clinical manner, we call the musical activity a “musical intervention”. Through this intentional use of music, music therapists have a particular outcome that they are trying to achieve through the music. These outcomes are specific to the individual goals, which is my next point.
Individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels
Music Therapy is when a music therapist uses music to help people achieve goals that are nonmusical. These goals can be individualized to the particular needs of each client. When I work with children with autism, I may be focused on communication through music, improving emotional expression, as well as working on sustained attention. When I am working with patients in a psychiatric unit, I may be focusing on these same goals, but the “music intervention” and approach that I will take will likely look different. Through group music making, songwriting and improvisation patients can take initiative of the music in the sessions. Through song listening and discussion, patients can consciously process their feelings through music.
Credentialed Professional
To receive the Title of MT-BC (Music Therapy Board-Certified), a person must complete either a bachelors or a masters (Or Master’s equivalency) in Music Therapy, complete a 6-month internship, and then pass the board exam. It is a process to become a music therapist, and is not something that someone can just wake up and decide to do without making a commitment to the profession. This training and credential ensures that a music therapist’s practice follows ethical guidelines and mitigates risk for harm with music therapy.
Approved Music Therapy Program
There are 80+ Approved programs for music therapy. HERE (https://musictherapysource.com/) is a list of the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) approved programs
Are you interested in becoming a music therapist?
Reach out to me! I’m happy to answer any questions you have. Our field is small, but growing. I would be happy to talk to anybody who is interested in pursuing this career, or any parents of children that may be interested as well.
You can contact me through here: Ben@crescendocaremt.com
415-827-0012 → I get too many spam calls so please shoot me a text first!
Find a Music Therapist near you!
Click HERE to find a music therapist in your area.
Yes it’s a thing. Yes, I offer it. No you do not need to have a diagnosis.
Click HERE to schedule a consultation with me to see if we could be a good fit.
benlavine2@gmail.com
benlavine2@gmail.com
benlavine2@gmail.com
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In a noisy world full of advice, opinions, and pressure, it’s easy to lose touch with your own voice. We start living on autopilot — doing what’s expected instead of what feels true.
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In a noisy world full of advice, opinions, and pressure, it’s easy to lose touch with your own voice. We start living on autopilot — doing what’s expected instead of what feels true.
Your questions.
Answered.
Curious about how things work? Here are some helpful answers to guide you.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
Who is a music therapist?
Who is a music therapist?
A music therapist is a licensed professional… who has completed a Bachelors or Masters in Music Therapy from an accredited institution, completed over 1,200 hours of clinical training hours,and has passed the national board exam Administered through CBMT. A Board- Certified music therapist has the title of MT-BC.
You can find more information regarding our board, as well as extra information about this profession HERE
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Music Actively engages multiple parts of our brain simultaneously. It lights up communication, emotional, cognitive, social, and motor areas of our brain simultaneously, providing unique opportunities to connect neural pathways. (HERE/THIS) is a photo of an MRI study of a brain on music versus a brain at rest. You can see the activation of multiple neural networks simultaneously, lighting up areas of the brain.
Click HERE for More information about the neuroscience of music from Harvard edu.
Your questions.
Answered.
Curious about how things work? Here are some helpful answers to guide you.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
Who is a music therapist?
Who is a music therapist?
A music therapist is a licensed professional… who has completed a Bachelors or Masters in Music Therapy from an accredited institution, completed over 1,200 hours of clinical training hours,and has passed the national board exam Administered through CBMT. A Board- Certified music therapist has the title of MT-BC.
You can find more information regarding our board, as well as extra information about this profession HERE
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Music Actively engages multiple parts of our brain simultaneously. It lights up communication, emotional, cognitive, social, and motor areas of our brain simultaneously, providing unique opportunities to connect neural pathways. (HERE/THIS) is a photo of an MRI study of a brain on music versus a brain at rest. You can see the activation of multiple neural networks simultaneously, lighting up areas of the brain.
Click HERE for More information about the neuroscience of music from Harvard edu.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
Your questions.
Answered.
Curious about how things work? Here are some helpful answers to guide you.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a message — we’ll respond with care and clarity.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice which focuses on the clinical use of music to develop therapeutic goals within different domains. The music therapy profession can serve to support emotional, communicative, social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual goals.
Through our music therapy sessions, we will explore areas of your life that music can help, and create a plan of action to build your breakthroughs with music.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
But… What does this look like in a session?
Every session of music therapy is different. We use a mixture of songwriting, creating music on the spot (improvisation), and hold space discussing why certain songs are relevant to your life.
Sometimes talk-therapy can't solve everything, and we need a creative way to be able to process and express our emotions. Music therapy fills in the gaps when talk-therapy leaves us feeling stuck.
Who is a music therapist?
Who is a music therapist?
A music therapist is a licensed professional… who has completed a Bachelors or Masters in Music Therapy from an accredited institution, completed over 1,200 hours of clinical training hours,and has passed the national board exam Administered through CBMT. A Board- Certified music therapist has the title of MT-BC.
You can find more information regarding our board, as well as extra information about this profession HERE
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Neuroscience and Music Therapy!
Music Actively engages multiple parts of our brain simultaneously. It lights up communication, emotional, cognitive, social, and motor areas of our brain simultaneously, providing unique opportunities to connect neural pathways. (HERE/THIS) is a photo of an MRI study of a brain on music versus a brain at rest. You can see the activation of multiple neural networks simultaneously, lighting up areas of the brain.
Click HERE for More information about the neuroscience of music from Harvard edu.