Defining music therapy is vital in understanding what it is. According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), Music Therapy is defined as “the clinical and 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”. In a therapeutic relationship involving a client and music therapist, goals for the client are key. Goals targeted may include cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological and/or other goals related to the welfare of the client. Thus Music Therapy involves a therapeutic interaction between a certified music therapist and client aimed at meeting individualized goals for a client or goals for a group involved in therapy.
Music Therapists work in schools, hospitals, community centers, nursing homes, homes, rehabilitations centers, correctional communities and at other locations with a number of different populations individually or in group settings.
The following is a brief list of some populations that music therapists work with:
• Infants: premature infants and full term infants
• Children’s populations and special need groups with various disabilities and impairments
• Young adults and teens facing various challenges such substance abuse, depression, trauma and others
• Adults and geriatric populations including adults with stroke, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia and other illnesses.
Music therapists work on addressing individualized and group goals for clients based on their assessments and needs. Music Therapists utilize pitch, rhythm, melody, timbre and other elements of music instrumentally, vocally and otherwise creatively, including evidenced based clinical practices to help meet individualized or group goals. Music Therapists interact and connect with clients based on individual assessments and goals. Some goals music therapists work on are:
• bonding between parents for premature infants
• academic educational goals
• socialization
• Pain management, relaxation etc
• Reminiscence, Gait enhancement training for stroke clients and other goals
Currently Music therapy is a growing field and is practiced in the United States of America, Great Britain, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Korea, Cyprus, Brazil, Germany, Finland, and other countries around the world.
For more details on music therapy in countries around the world, please visit the following websites:
American Music Therapy Association
British Association for Music Therapy
Australian Music Therapy Association
American Music Therapy Association
British Association for Music Therapy
Australian Music Therapy Association