According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is the 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.
Music therapy can provide help with communication by clients who find it difficult to express themselves in words. It has also been effective in improving 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.
Music therapy can be used to address an individual's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The music therapist assesses a client's needs, identifies and implements an appropriate musical intervention. This may include creating music, singing, playing an instruments, moving to, and/or listening to music.
To become a music therapist, an accomplished musician earns a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in music therapy from an American Music Therapy Association-approved program. In addition to coursework, training also includes fieldwork and internship to further develop their clinical skills. At the completion of didactic and clinical experiences, a graduate is eligible to sit for the national examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). After successful completion of the examination, graduates are issued the credential necessary for professional practice, Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC)
This LibGuide was initially developed by Devonte Stovall, former Library Associate I at the Mulford Health Science Library.