What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the use of music interventions to accomplish individualized, non-musical goals. Music therapists are individuals who have received a Bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy, completed a 6 month internship, and have passed their board-certification exam. Music therapists assess the strengths and needs of each client based on a screening that takes place at the beginning of treatment. In music therapy sessions, our clients work hard on their goals in a supportive environment where they are motivated by instrument play, vocalization, and musical games and activities.

What do Music Therapist do?

Music therapists assess emotional well being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. They design music therapy 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. 

Who is qualified to practice Music Therapy?

Persons who complete one of the approved music therapy programs (including a 6-month 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).

Music therapy sessions address the following developmental domains:

Is there research to support music therapy?

American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) promotes a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy through 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.