What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the use of music to therapeutically address physical, psychological, cognitive, behavioral and social domains of need.  The music therapist uses various music-based methods to assess the specific needs of individual clients or client populations, design and implement a treatment plan based on assessment findings, and continually evaluate the treatment process.
~AMTA

Why Music?

Music is a unique medium that facilitates opportunity for emotional expression and reception while simultaneously providing non-threatening boundaries for positive, powerful experience. Music provides avenues of communication that transcend traditional interaction. Innately rewarding, music acts as a powerful motivator and catalyst for change.

Process vs. Product

• Iso Principle ~ Meeting the clients at their level of ability and need.

• Music ~ Not just for relaxation…  Music also has the ability to actively engage clients in the therapeutic process.

• Music acts as a catalyst for positive shifts in personal and group process.

• Music provides a container for exploration.

• Music is innately motivating ~ a natural driving force within humans.

Professional Requirements for Music Therapists

• Bachelors degree or higher in music therapy from a college or university program approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

• Program requirements include at least 1200 hours of clinical training and supervised 6-9 month internship following academic coursework

• Completion of music therapy degree denotes eligibility to sit for the national board certification exam to obtain credential MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) necessary for professional practice.

• Continuing education is required to maintain board certification status.

AMTA defines standards for clinical practice, code of ethics, and professional competencies.

GIM (Guided Imagery in Music) and MARI (Mandala Assessment Research Institute) Card Assessments are specialized tracks that are not a part of the standard music therapy curriculum. They are related fields that many music therapist utilize to complement their practice.

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