You can read more about music therapy on the American Music Therapy Association website by clicking here.
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as being, "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."
This is a fine explanation, but let's break down what it all means:
First and foremost, music therapy is therapy!
This seems like an obvious thing to say, but we've found that when people think about music therapy, they often focus more on the music aspect than they do with the idea of it being therapy.
As the AMTA explains in their definition, music therapists are credentialed professionals. They require to have at least a bachelor's degree from an approved music therapy program. On top of the coursework, music therapy students must also complete 1200 hours of clinical training, including a supervised internship. Many music therapists, such as ours here at Mindful Music Therapies, choose to obtain a master's degree in the field. Graduate studies offer a greater focus on advanced clinical skills and research. For those looking to further themselves in research and academia, there are also doctoral programs for music therapy and the creative arts therapies in general. There are various music therapy research journals, including The Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives.
Once completing the required coursework and clinical hours, those looking to become a music therapist must then complete board certification to obtain their MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified), which includes a test that consists of 150 multiple choice questions. You can learn more about these requirements on the CBMT website by clicking here.
After receiving board certification, a select number of states in the US also require state licensure, which you can read more about by clicking here.
What does a music therapist actually do?
This is a common question many music therapists hear, and it can often be summed up into a simple but possibly frustrating answer: it depends!
Everything we do is tailored to the specific needs of our clients. This is achieved through a comprehensive assessment of the client, with the therapist looking to identify the client's strengths and needs. We then work with the client (or client's caregiver) to develop goals and objectives that fit their specific needs. Interventions used can include creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Depending on the music therapist's training and professional orientation, they may also incorporate verbal processing to help better connect the musical experiences with other aspects of the client's life. On the other hand, music therapy can also provide avenues of communication for those who have difficulties expressing themselves using words.
As the AMTA states, research in music therapy shows support of effectiveness in various therapeutic aspects, including, "overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings."
Does insurance cover music therapy services?
It's currently a complex issue in our field, but in general, many insurance companies do not cover music therapy services. Harmony Music Therapy provides a comprehensive explanation here.
How can I receive services?
Music therapy services are offered in settings throughout the US, including but not limited to nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, schools, daycares, outpatient offices, correctional facilities, corporate businesses, and through telehealth services. You can use the Find a Therapist feature through the CBMT website, or you can engage in an internet search engine to find music therapists near you.
Here at Mindful Music Therapies, we currently focus exclusively on telehealth services. Click here to learn more about our offers, including a free consultation with our master's-level music therapist.
Mindful Music Therapies LLC
(302) 803-4794
Comments