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What do music therapists do?
Music therapists assess emotional well-being, mental health, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, central nervous system functioning, sensory integration, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, 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, health and wellness, neurological impairments, Alzheimer's disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, pregnancy and labor, acute and chronic pain, and bereavement.
Where do music therapists work?
Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practice.
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).
The National Music Therapy Registry (NMTR) serves qualified music therapy professionals with the following designations: RMT, CMT, ACMT. These individuals have met accepted educational and clinical training standards and are qualified to practice music therapy.
Specialization training include Nordoff-Robbins, Music Therapy Assisted Child Birth, Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), Fellow in the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI), etc.
Is there research to support music therapy?
Music Therapy has over -- 50 years of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy. Some resources include:
- Journal Of Music Therapy
- Music Therapy Perspectives
- Arts and Psychotherapy
- Association for Music and Imagery
What are some misconceptions about music therapy?
Any music activity is Music Therapy. Music Therapy must be administered by a Music Therapist and must work toward individualized therapeutic goals.
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. 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 can music therapy techniques be utilized in Health and Wellness?
Healthy individuals can use music for personal growth, team building, coping with life stressors, stress reduction via active music making, such as drumming, as well as receptive listening for relaxation. Music is often a vital support for physical exercise. Music therapy assisted labor and delivery may also be included in this category since pregnancy is regarded as a normal part of women's life cycles.
How is music therapy utilized in the medical field?
Music Therapy is used in general hospitals to: alleviate pain in conjunction with anesthesia or pain medication: elevate patients' mood and counteract depression; promote family support; promote movement for physical rehabilitation; calm or sedate, induce sleep; counteract apprehension or fear; and lesson muscle tension for the purpose of relaxation, including the autonomic nervous system.
In the hospice area Music Therapy can aid pain management, bereavement, family support, and life review.
How is music therapy utilized with the elderly?
Music is used with elderly persons to increase or maintain their level of physical, mental, and social/emotional functioning. The sensory and intellectual stimulation of music can help maintain a person's quality of life.
How is music therapy utilized with children?
Music therapists serve children in home-setting, clinical setting, and in schools. Music Therapy is used to strengthen nonmusical areas such as communication skills, motor planning, attention to task, behavioral management, and socialization, which are important for daily life. In schools Music Therapy can be included as a related service on the Individualized Education Plan when a Music Therapy assessment determines the service is necessary for a child to benefit from his/her special education program.
How is music therapy utilized in mental health?
Music therapy allows persons with mental health needs to: explore personal feelings, make positive changes in mood and emotional states, have a sense of control over life through successful experiences, practice problem solving, coping skills, and resolve conflicts leading to stronger family and peer relationships.
What is a typical music therapy session like?
Since music therapists serve a wide variety of persons with many different types of needs there is no such thing as an overall typical session. Sessions are designed and music selected based on the individual client's treatment plan.
Portions of this information are used with permission from the American Music Therapy Association.
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