What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the use of music and music related activities to modify ineffective learning patterns, to promote emotional, mental, social and physical growth and to develop non-musical goals. Music Therapy is a creative, flexible and sometimes spontaneous means of using the appeal of music to help people of all ages and abilities. Music Therapy is an established health care profession that uses music to address physical, psychological, cognitive and social functioning. Music Therapy positively affects the lives of thousands of children and adults each year. From a child with autism to an elderly person in a bell choir, Music Therapy can make the difference between isolation and interaction.
Music Therapy is defined by the American Music Therapy Association as "an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
- promote wellness
- manage stress
- alleviate pain
- express feelings
- enhance memory
- improve communication
- promote physical rehabilitation.
Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety or healthcare and educationsl settings.
Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimers's disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor.
Academic course-work may include a thorough study of music, psychology of music, music in therapy, influence of music on behavior, psychology, and anatomy and physiology. Clinical fieldwork may include patient assessment, designing treatment goals and objectives and evaluating patient progress. After the six-month internship is completed, a music therapist must successfully complete a National Board Certification Exam. After this, one can then practice music therapy as an MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).