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Anna
Student
Elyria, Ohio
2
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What all does a musical therapist involve?
I am trying to decide weather to be a musical therapist or a music teacher, what is some good advice about music therapy since not many people i know are involved in this.
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2 answers
Kevin Julien
Composer
11
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Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Music Therapists use music as part of a process to heal those with physical, emotional, spiritual, developmental, behavioral, and social needs. Music therapists can help to manage pain; reduce stress; express emotion; enhance memory; improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation. Their patients include those with disorders which can be mental and/or developmental; neurological conditions; trauma, and other medical needs
Either working alone or alongside other professionals in other therapeutic areas, music therapists assess their patients and use the results to establish goals. They then design interventions based on music to meet those aims.
Depending on the treatment and their clients' specific needs, a session will usually involve any of 4 types of interventions
1) Receptive - This is where the client or patient listens to music and responds to the experience silently, verbally, or in another modality (for example. art, dance). The music used may be live, or a recording. Some types of receptive approaches may include music-assisted relaxation, as well as the use of music and imagery. Goals may cover several areas, including: promoting stimulation or relaxation; facilitating memory or reminiscence; developing auditory skills; enhancing mood and reducing anxiety. Receptive interventions may be appropriate when a client is nonverbal or prefers a passive approach through listening.
2) Re-creation - A music-centred approach in which the client or patient is encouraged to play or sing along to a pre-composed song in a manner that supports identified goals. Re-creation may involve singing familiar or new songs, or playing various instruments depending on a client’s abilities and objectives. This can be a fun and engaging way to achieve goals through music making, which may include; strengthening gross / fine motor skills; promoting social interaction and turn taking; encouraging the use of one side of the body; fostering self-expression through instrument playing or singing. Re-creation interventions may be appropriate for a variety of populations, including children with developmental delays, those with acquired brain injury, or seniors with Dementia.
3) Improvisation- Involves spontaneous music making using simple instruments, body percussion, or the voice. This type of intervention requires the therapist to hear and interpret, and ultimately respond to the client’s playing or mood. Some goals related to this category of intervention may include: facilitate expression and communication through music, especially when verbal communication is limited or less comfortable; increase freedom and the ability to make choices; develop the capacity for relationship-building with another individual through music.
This type of intervention may be appropriate with some populations, including those who are nonverbal, or feel uncomfortable expressing directly.
4) Composition / Songwriting- A process whereby the therapist supports the client in creating their own music or lyrics. These creations may be recorded or performed thereafter. Some goals that may be achieved through composition or songwriting may be: validating experiences / legacy work; externalizing thoughts or emotions; promoting an alternative manner of expression; fostering creativity.
Most aspiring music therapists start by earning an undergraduate degree in music therapy. As part of the degree, music therapy students complete many hours of clinical training with a variety of populations, including a specialized internship at a site that meets the standards of the American Music Therapy Association. After graduating, they take a certification exam—administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, or the CBMT—to earn the credentials necessary to practice professionally.
In order to advance within the field, music therapists must continue professional development in the forms of clinical supervision, continuing-education credits, and advanced certifications. Today, more and more music therapists are seeking graduate degrees in music therapy, which open up opportunities in advanced clinical training, research, and academia. Music therapists may also incorporate other art forms into their practice, becoming creative arts therapists or expressive arts therapists.
Find materials, watch videos about Music Therapy and watch some sessions where actual music therapy is taking place to see what it's like and if it is something that interests you.
Contact The American Music Therapy Association and ask for materials and advice for those who may be consdering a career in Music Therapy.
See if it is possible to arrange a meeting with a music therapist to discuss what they do day to day. Let them know you are an aspiring music therapist but want to know if it is the right career for you.
Keep learning music as the more you know and can do the more options you have for a career in music.
Either working alone or alongside other professionals in other therapeutic areas, music therapists assess their patients and use the results to establish goals. They then design interventions based on music to meet those aims.
Depending on the treatment and their clients' specific needs, a session will usually involve any of 4 types of interventions
1) Receptive - This is where the client or patient listens to music and responds to the experience silently, verbally, or in another modality (for example. art, dance). The music used may be live, or a recording. Some types of receptive approaches may include music-assisted relaxation, as well as the use of music and imagery. Goals may cover several areas, including: promoting stimulation or relaxation; facilitating memory or reminiscence; developing auditory skills; enhancing mood and reducing anxiety. Receptive interventions may be appropriate when a client is nonverbal or prefers a passive approach through listening.
2) Re-creation - A music-centred approach in which the client or patient is encouraged to play or sing along to a pre-composed song in a manner that supports identified goals. Re-creation may involve singing familiar or new songs, or playing various instruments depending on a client’s abilities and objectives. This can be a fun and engaging way to achieve goals through music making, which may include; strengthening gross / fine motor skills; promoting social interaction and turn taking; encouraging the use of one side of the body; fostering self-expression through instrument playing or singing. Re-creation interventions may be appropriate for a variety of populations, including children with developmental delays, those with acquired brain injury, or seniors with Dementia.
3) Improvisation- Involves spontaneous music making using simple instruments, body percussion, or the voice. This type of intervention requires the therapist to hear and interpret, and ultimately respond to the client’s playing or mood. Some goals related to this category of intervention may include: facilitate expression and communication through music, especially when verbal communication is limited or less comfortable; increase freedom and the ability to make choices; develop the capacity for relationship-building with another individual through music.
This type of intervention may be appropriate with some populations, including those who are nonverbal, or feel uncomfortable expressing directly.
4) Composition / Songwriting- A process whereby the therapist supports the client in creating their own music or lyrics. These creations may be recorded or performed thereafter. Some goals that may be achieved through composition or songwriting may be: validating experiences / legacy work; externalizing thoughts or emotions; promoting an alternative manner of expression; fostering creativity.
Most aspiring music therapists start by earning an undergraduate degree in music therapy. As part of the degree, music therapy students complete many hours of clinical training with a variety of populations, including a specialized internship at a site that meets the standards of the American Music Therapy Association. After graduating, they take a certification exam—administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, or the CBMT—to earn the credentials necessary to practice professionally.
In order to advance within the field, music therapists must continue professional development in the forms of clinical supervision, continuing-education credits, and advanced certifications. Today, more and more music therapists are seeking graduate degrees in music therapy, which open up opportunities in advanced clinical training, research, and academia. Music therapists may also incorporate other art forms into their practice, becoming creative arts therapists or expressive arts therapists.
Kevin recommends the following next steps:
angie azur
Writer | Artist | Death Doula | Yoga | Meditation | Psychology | Philosophy
78
Answers
Weaverville, NC
Updated
angie’s Answer
Your question: I am trying to decide weather to be a musical therapist or a music teacher, what is some good advice about music therapy since not many people i know are involved in this.
My thoughts:
Hello, Anna!
Great question! I am in a Ph.D. program studying ancient wisdom, and we are very excited about musical vibrations and healing! This was known back in Egypt when the Great Pyramids were up and running - now, we know they were musical vibration healing chambers. But somehow, we lost this knowledge, and yet, it is coming back. All cells vibrate a certain tone - if they are sick and we use the correct healthy tone, they change and become healed again. It's like magic! So....I suggest you research musical therapy and what's on the cutting edge. A lot is coming, and we will need those who know how to use vibration and music for healing not only humans but animals, ecosystems, and the whole Earth.
It's pretty exciting stuff!!
Music teachers are great, too - but schools keep cutting back budgets for the arts, and music is an art form.
We need music in all forms - but the healing aspect of vibrations is going to expand and become huge in the next 5-10 years. And you'll be one of the newest therapists out there with this knowledge. Have fun! This is an exciting career choice!
Vibe~on
Angie
My thoughts:
Hello, Anna!
Great question! I am in a Ph.D. program studying ancient wisdom, and we are very excited about musical vibrations and healing! This was known back in Egypt when the Great Pyramids were up and running - now, we know they were musical vibration healing chambers. But somehow, we lost this knowledge, and yet, it is coming back. All cells vibrate a certain tone - if they are sick and we use the correct healthy tone, they change and become healed again. It's like magic! So....I suggest you research musical therapy and what's on the cutting edge. A lot is coming, and we will need those who know how to use vibration and music for healing not only humans but animals, ecosystems, and the whole Earth.
It's pretty exciting stuff!!
Music teachers are great, too - but schools keep cutting back budgets for the arts, and music is an art form.
We need music in all forms - but the healing aspect of vibrations is going to expand and become huge in the next 5-10 years. And you'll be one of the newest therapists out there with this knowledge. Have fun! This is an exciting career choice!
Vibe~on
Angie