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Music therapy is the specialized use of music to improve or maintain
functioning in the following areas: motor, physiological, social/emotional,
sensory, communicative, or cognitive functioning. The purpose of music therapy
is to help individuals attain and maintain their maximum levels of functioning.
This is achieved by addressing the client's needs and problems through music.
Although music has been used as a healing agent since the times of Aristotle
and Plato, the music therapy profession in the United States was established
relatively recently in 1950. The first music therapy degree program was founded
at Michigan State University in 1944. Music therapy degrees are offered at the
bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Currently, there are approximately 69
colleges and universities offering degrees in music therapy.
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is the national organization
for music therapists. As of January 2000, there are over 3,800 individuals
world-wide who hold current AMTA membership. The following three professional
credentials are recognized by AMTA:
MT-BC (Music therapist-board certified)
RMT (Registered music therapist)
CMT (Certified music therapist)
Any individual with-
 | mental health needs |
| Alzheimer's disease |
| other age-related conditions |
| physical disabilities |
| acute and chronic pain |
| developmental disabilities |
| learning and behavior disorders |
| substance abuse problems |
| neurlogical disorders |
| rehabilitation/gait training |
| rehabilitation facilities |
| medical hospitals |
| psychiatric hospitals |
| outpatient clinics |
| day programs for persons with developmental disabilities |
| community mental health centers |
| substance abuse programs |
| adolescent treatment programs |
| nursing homes |
| senior centers *hospice programs |
| correctional facilities |
| preschools and early intervention programs |
| schools |
| private practice |
ASSESS physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities, as well
as communication skills through musical and non-musical assessments.
DESIGN therapeutic music experiences in order to meet individual
client needs.
IMPLEMENT specific music techniques in group and individual sessions.
EVALUATE individuals progress and participate in treatment planning,
evaluations, and follow up.
Lyric discussion and analysis, song writing, music performance
and therapeutic instrumental music playing, music and expressive art, music and
movement, rhythmic auditory stimulation, learning through music, music
improvisation (instrumental and vocal) therapeutic singing, patterned sensory
enhancement, music and imagery, receptive music listening, and others.
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