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.
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