Putting the Music in Music Therapy

What if I told you there was job in which people would study music and how it makes them happy?

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Well it's true! The idea that I am studying is what a lot of people decide to go on and major in. It's called music therapy. You can't really deny that music makes you feel something. The more complicated thing is trying to figure out WHY it makes you the way that you feel and WHY everyone does or does not agree with your opinon. People don't always know what this job entails so it's important to address some frequently asked questions!

Why is music therapy effective?

Music therapy is effective because music has been discovered to affect certain areas of the brain. Different music therapy programs can encourage different aspects of brain development or change. There is evidence-based research supporting the use of music therapy in a variety of treatment situations.

How quickly does music therapy produce results?

Results from music therapy will depend on the disorder being treated. In some situations, music therapy can produce results in as little as one session. Like most forms of therapy, a music therapy program is most effective with regular sessions.

What kind of music is used in music therapy?

This again depends on the type of therapy required. For example, it has been found that patients with Parkinson's disease benefit from music with a specific number of beats per minute.

What kind of musical instruments are used in music therapy?

There are a wide variety of instruments used in music therapy, depending on the specific needs and abilities of the patient. (this is what I'm studying!!!)

How can someone not studying music therapy apply it to their life?                                                   Get some pots and pans! In all seriousness this may sound silly, but if you have come children play with pots and pans (make sure that they don't hit each other with them) and see what sounds please them.

What actually happens in a music therapy session?

Most music therapy sessions consist of several discrete activities involving music. Activity levels can range from deep relaxation to rhythmic walking outside. Musical participation may be as simple as humming along to a song presented by the therapist or as actively creative as song-writing and recording musical performances onto a CD. There is no one true thing that you do in a session.

I already go to a physical (occupational, speech, etc.) therapist. Will neurologic music therapy (NMT) conflict with this therapy or be a duplication of service?

No, NMT provides multiple opportunities to retrain the brain. In any training program, repetition is essential. Besides having a powerful and immediate effect on areas of the brain that control key functions, music is a pleasurable and non-threatening experience for most people.

What kind of education do you need to major in this field?
The most important thing is doing well in your high school. The classes that you would take  include applied lessons, courses in music theory and history, guitar, keyboard skills, voice, participation in ensembles, and courses in music therapy and related fields like psychology, and education.

How are music theaptists regulated?
Graduates will be eligible to sit for the board certification exam which is administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) (click the link to find out more!). Once board certified, graduates will meet the requirements for music therapy licensure in their specific state.

Can I just sign up?
Good question. No. An assessment session is the required first step. In this session, the therapist will review the case history and evaluate a client's strengths and weaknesses as well as determine their response to music therapy interventions. After the assessment, recommendations will be made for either group or individual music therapy.



Many thanks to Keith Turner and Matt Farero for helping me find and answer these questions!!!!