ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY
Many questions about music therapy are addressed on this page.
What is Music Therapy? Who may benefit from Music Therapy services?Does the client need to be a musician to benefit from
music therapy?Who may make a referral?What happens after a referral is made?What interventions might be used in Music Therapy?Is there research that supports the use of Music Therapy?Where can I learn more about Music Therapy?
If you do not find the information you are looking for, please contact me.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the application of music interventions by a trained professional within the context of a therapeutic relationship in order to restore, maintain, or improve functioning and quality of life.
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Who may benefit from Music Therapy services?
Individuals of all ages and abilities with goals related to:- Cognition
- Emotional / Mental Health
- Physical Health / Motor Skills
- Socialization
- Speech / Communication
- Spiritual Well-being
- Acute and Chronic Pain
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Corrections and Forensic
- Deaf / Hard of Hearing
- Developmental Delay
- Down Syndrome
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health
- Neonatal Care
- Neurological Disorders
- Speech and Language Disorders
- Substance Misuse
- Survivors of Trauma / Abuse
- Visual Impairments
- Youth At-Risk
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Does the client need to be a musician to benefit from music therapy?
No. Prior musical training is not needed to benefit from Music Therapy.
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Who may make a referral?
- Client
- Family Member
- Health Care Provider
- School Personnel
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What happens after a referral is made?
- Formal Assessment of physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs
- Treatment Planning including goals and objectives developed by the client and therapist
- Treatment Sessions involving the interventions agreed upon by the client and therapist
- Periodic Case Review to report progress, revise goals and objectives, and to ensure that the client, therapist and others involved in treatment (family members, educators, and other health professionals) are working together as effectively as possible
- Discharge Planning to prepare the client for termination of current services and ensure awareness of other available resources
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What interventions might be used in Music Therapy?
- Improvisation
- Instrumental Playing
- Listening and Lyric Analysis
- Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)
- Music Assisted Relaxation
- Music Integrated with Visual Arts
- Music and Movement
- Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)
- Singing
- Songwriting
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Is there research that supports the use of Music Therapy?
Yes. There is a great deal of research that supports the application of music therapy with many populations. Some works are referenced here.
If you are interested in finding an article or book on a specific music therapy topic not referenced on these lists, please contact me, and I will do my best to provide you with references.Professional Journals that Publish Music Therapy Research
Selected Books about Music Therapy
Selected Articles about Music Therapy
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Where can I learn more about Music Therapy?
American Music Therapy Association
Canadian Association for Music Therapy
Music Therapy Association of British Columbia
Music Therapy World
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy