2 answers
Aden
Student
Irving, Texas
3
Questions
Asked
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What does a day in the life of a musical therapist consist of?
I have always had a passion for music but I'm afraid of not becoming as big of a singer I would want. I have been taking a lot of career searching tests and this made me realize how much I love helping people as well. So I want to know more about musical therapy before actually pursuing it. #psychology #music-therapy
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2 answers
Hannah Roberts
Music Therapist
8
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hi, Aden!
That is so exciting that you are looking into the field of music therapy! As a Board Certified Music Therapist, I have loved my work over the past few years. When looking into music therapy programs, know that you will be required to learn piano, guitar, and voice throughout your college career in order to best assist your clients in reaching their goals. The best way for me to explain music therapy to you is “using the elements of music (rhythm, tone, repetition) to assist your client reach goals that are non-musical.” My goal as a music therapist is not necessarily to help my client learn a new instrument or learn how to play the drum, but instead could be to assist a child with autism to self-regulate with the assistance of a repetitious and predictable drum beat. I personally have been working as a music therapist foe students with special needs for two years. Many of my peers from college find themselves working in nursing homes, hospitals, and in their own private practice. My day typically consisted of about 60% client contact hours, 15% documentation, 10% teacher/parent meetings, and 15% song writing/session planning. I would say that is a pretty typical schedule for a music therapist currently in the field.
Music therapy is an extremely interesting field and I would definitely encourage you to not only research some peer reviewed papers on the subject, but also to look into observing a music therapist in your area! Music therapy is something that when you see it in person makes much more sense! If you are interested in helping others and utilizing a skill you have been given (such as music) music therapy could be a great field for you.
That is so exciting that you are looking into the field of music therapy! As a Board Certified Music Therapist, I have loved my work over the past few years. When looking into music therapy programs, know that you will be required to learn piano, guitar, and voice throughout your college career in order to best assist your clients in reaching their goals. The best way for me to explain music therapy to you is “using the elements of music (rhythm, tone, repetition) to assist your client reach goals that are non-musical.” My goal as a music therapist is not necessarily to help my client learn a new instrument or learn how to play the drum, but instead could be to assist a child with autism to self-regulate with the assistance of a repetitious and predictable drum beat. I personally have been working as a music therapist foe students with special needs for two years. Many of my peers from college find themselves working in nursing homes, hospitals, and in their own private practice. My day typically consisted of about 60% client contact hours, 15% documentation, 10% teacher/parent meetings, and 15% song writing/session planning. I would say that is a pretty typical schedule for a music therapist currently in the field.
Music therapy is an extremely interesting field and I would definitely encourage you to not only research some peer reviewed papers on the subject, but also to look into observing a music therapist in your area! Music therapy is something that when you see it in person makes much more sense! If you are interested in helping others and utilizing a skill you have been given (such as music) music therapy could be a great field for you.
Daniela Silva
Freelance Writer in Mental Health and Education
922
Answers
State of Goiás, State of Goiás, Brazil
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Aden!
Music therapy has come far in the world of medicine as an accepted form of therapy for patients. It is becoming more common to find certified music therapists and their specialized equipment, such as drums, guitars and recording devices, in hospital settings. As we’ve explained before, music therapists aid in recovery and education, for both children and adults, from the beginning of life all the way to the end. The specific needs of the individual, the music therapist determines the exact course of therapy each person receives.
There are three basic steps to the music therapy process. While the main purpose of these steps are clear, how the music therapist performs each step is open, depending on the specific needs of each patient. Below outlines the structure of the music therapy process.
Introduction to Music Therapy
The first step in determining the right direction for a music therapy program for children or teens is to meet with them. The initial meeting is crucial in deciding the direction the therapy will take. During this time, the music therapist may talk with and observe the child or teen to get an idea of their specific needs, interests and behaviors.
For example, a child recovering from a medical procedure will have different needs than a child with a developmental condition. Even if there are two children going through the same procedures they will have different therapy plans based on their personal interests, experiences, and care plans. For these reasons, meeting face to face with potential therapy patients is such an important first step in the process for a music therapist.
Setting Goals
Once the therapist has a general idea of the specific needs and interests of the patient they then draft up a plan of action to assist the child and reduce the pain they are feeling in the best way possible. As MusicTherapy.org explains:
“Music therapists may coordinate programming with other professionals such as early intervention specialists, medical personnel, child life specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, speech or language pathologists, adapted physical education specialists, and art and dance or movement therapists.”
The goals the team decides on may be to reach specific physical milestones through the playing of instruments, or they can be developmental and cognitive objectives achieved through the process of listening and singing. A combination of instruments, singing and listening can also be used, depending on the needs of the child. At this point the music therapist will also decide if they will use one-on-one sessions, group sessions or a combination of the two. Another key part of this step is determining how often the therapist will need to meet with the child or teen in order to reach the desired results.
Monitoring the Progress
As part of the music therapy process, the therapist continually monitors, charts and shares the progress of their patient. It is important they update the goals and objectives of the child’s progress, working with family and doctors along the way to ensure that they are on track to reach their medical needs. Sharing with parents allows them the opportunity to incorporate the therapist’s suggestions into the daily routines of the children or teens.
Read the complete article in:
https://petersonfamilyfoundation.org/music-therapy/understanding-process-music-therapy/
Best!
Music therapy has come far in the world of medicine as an accepted form of therapy for patients. It is becoming more common to find certified music therapists and their specialized equipment, such as drums, guitars and recording devices, in hospital settings. As we’ve explained before, music therapists aid in recovery and education, for both children and adults, from the beginning of life all the way to the end. The specific needs of the individual, the music therapist determines the exact course of therapy each person receives.
There are three basic steps to the music therapy process. While the main purpose of these steps are clear, how the music therapist performs each step is open, depending on the specific needs of each patient. Below outlines the structure of the music therapy process.
Introduction to Music Therapy
The first step in determining the right direction for a music therapy program for children or teens is to meet with them. The initial meeting is crucial in deciding the direction the therapy will take. During this time, the music therapist may talk with and observe the child or teen to get an idea of their specific needs, interests and behaviors.
For example, a child recovering from a medical procedure will have different needs than a child with a developmental condition. Even if there are two children going through the same procedures they will have different therapy plans based on their personal interests, experiences, and care plans. For these reasons, meeting face to face with potential therapy patients is such an important first step in the process for a music therapist.
Setting Goals
Once the therapist has a general idea of the specific needs and interests of the patient they then draft up a plan of action to assist the child and reduce the pain they are feeling in the best way possible. As MusicTherapy.org explains:
“Music therapists may coordinate programming with other professionals such as early intervention specialists, medical personnel, child life specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, speech or language pathologists, adapted physical education specialists, and art and dance or movement therapists.”
The goals the team decides on may be to reach specific physical milestones through the playing of instruments, or they can be developmental and cognitive objectives achieved through the process of listening and singing. A combination of instruments, singing and listening can also be used, depending on the needs of the child. At this point the music therapist will also decide if they will use one-on-one sessions, group sessions or a combination of the two. Another key part of this step is determining how often the therapist will need to meet with the child or teen in order to reach the desired results.
Monitoring the Progress
As part of the music therapy process, the therapist continually monitors, charts and shares the progress of their patient. It is important they update the goals and objectives of the child’s progress, working with family and doctors along the way to ensure that they are on track to reach their medical needs. Sharing with parents allows them the opportunity to incorporate the therapist’s suggestions into the daily routines of the children or teens.
Read the complete article in:
https://petersonfamilyfoundation.org/music-therapy/understanding-process-music-therapy/
Best!