3 answers
Annalisa
Student
Spokane, Washington
3
Questions
Asked
979 views
what's music therapy like?
I want to be a music therapist, and I would really like to know what's enjoyable about it, and if it's really as cool as it sounds
#music-therapy #career
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3 answers
Hannah Roberts
Music Therapist
8
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hi, Annalisa!
What an awesome place to be in your life as you begin to decide what is next for you career-wise. As a music therapist myself, I would of course advocate for more music therapists to jump on board, but definitely would love to share some advice before entering the field.
First are foremost, all music therapists are required to sing and play a piano and guitar. If you do not know any of those instruments yet, do not fear! You can certainly learn in college, but know that will be a requirement for you.
Music therapists can work in a variety of clinical settings from NICU to end of life care and everything in between. I personally work with school age students with developmental disabilities as well as work with children ages 0-3 in an early childhood music program to promote and support development. My favorite part of my job is definitely the amount of creativity I am able to implement throughout my day. I love song writing to create individual interventions for each of my clients and I definitely love to see my clients come to life within the music!
I would suggest trying to observe a music therapist in your area to see if any of the work they do is of interest to you. Get a variety of exposure to populations that music therapists can work with, and continue to get to know yourself and how to interact with others.
It is such a great career and I would highly recommend!
What an awesome place to be in your life as you begin to decide what is next for you career-wise. As a music therapist myself, I would of course advocate for more music therapists to jump on board, but definitely would love to share some advice before entering the field.
First are foremost, all music therapists are required to sing and play a piano and guitar. If you do not know any of those instruments yet, do not fear! You can certainly learn in college, but know that will be a requirement for you.
Music therapists can work in a variety of clinical settings from NICU to end of life care and everything in between. I personally work with school age students with developmental disabilities as well as work with children ages 0-3 in an early childhood music program to promote and support development. My favorite part of my job is definitely the amount of creativity I am able to implement throughout my day. I love song writing to create individual interventions for each of my clients and I definitely love to see my clients come to life within the music!
I would suggest trying to observe a music therapist in your area to see if any of the work they do is of interest to you. Get a variety of exposure to populations that music therapists can work with, and continue to get to know yourself and how to interact with others.
It is such a great career and I would highly recommend!
Kaman He
Sales
8
Answers
Macau
Updated
Kaman’s Answer
Music Therapy is 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.
Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.
Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.
Daniela Silva
Freelance Writer in Mental Health and Education
922
Answers
State of Goiás, State of Goiás, Brazil
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hello, Annalisa!
Music therapy—a type of expressive arts therapy that uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals—involves a broad range of activities, such as listening to music, singing, and playing a musical instrument.
This type of therapy is facilitated by a trained therapist and is often used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and hospices.
Because music can evoke positive emotions and stimulate reward centers in the brain, music therapy is often able to alleviate symptoms of mental health concerns such as:
Depression
Mood-related concerns
Anxiety
Schizophrenia
Substance dependency
Autism
Personality issues
Insomnia
Dementia
Music therapy can both assess and enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and motor functioning, and studies have shown positive results among individuals who have intellectual or physical difficulties, brain injuries, or Alzheimer's. This type of therapy has also been used in the treatment of physical ailments such as cancer and hypertension.
Music therapy can be conducted with individuals or in groups, and the music may be chosen by the therapist or by the person in therapy. A music therapist will generally ensure the type and mode of the chosen form of music, as well as the timing of the music intervention, are appropriate for meeting the needs and goals of the individual in therapy.
When introducing music, therapists often base their selections on the Iso principle, which states music is more likely to have influence if it matches an individual's current condition. Therapists therefore try to ensure the lyrics and melody of a selected piece of music are well matched with the mood and psychological state of the person in therapy.
Songwriting is commonly used in music therapy and may involve writing original songs or modifying existing ones, with the latter being a more structured approach to writing. A person might modify a song by changing some of the words or lines, adding new verses, or writing entirely new lyrics to match the existing tune. In cases when songs are freely composed, the therapist may provide an emotion or topic to serve as a starting point.
Read the complete and fantastic article in:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/music-therapy
Good luck!
Music therapy—a type of expressive arts therapy that uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals—involves a broad range of activities, such as listening to music, singing, and playing a musical instrument.
This type of therapy is facilitated by a trained therapist and is often used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and hospices.
Because music can evoke positive emotions and stimulate reward centers in the brain, music therapy is often able to alleviate symptoms of mental health concerns such as:
Depression
Mood-related concerns
Anxiety
Schizophrenia
Substance dependency
Autism
Personality issues
Insomnia
Dementia
Music therapy can both assess and enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and motor functioning, and studies have shown positive results among individuals who have intellectual or physical difficulties, brain injuries, or Alzheimer's. This type of therapy has also been used in the treatment of physical ailments such as cancer and hypertension.
Music therapy can be conducted with individuals or in groups, and the music may be chosen by the therapist or by the person in therapy. A music therapist will generally ensure the type and mode of the chosen form of music, as well as the timing of the music intervention, are appropriate for meeting the needs and goals of the individual in therapy.
When introducing music, therapists often base their selections on the Iso principle, which states music is more likely to have influence if it matches an individual's current condition. Therapists therefore try to ensure the lyrics and melody of a selected piece of music are well matched with the mood and psychological state of the person in therapy.
Songwriting is commonly used in music therapy and may involve writing original songs or modifying existing ones, with the latter being a more structured approach to writing. A person might modify a song by changing some of the words or lines, adding new verses, or writing entirely new lyrics to match the existing tune. In cases when songs are freely composed, the therapist may provide an emotion or topic to serve as a starting point.
Read the complete and fantastic article in:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/music-therapy
Good luck!