Music

therapy
 isan interpersonal process
in which the therapist uses
music and all of its facets-
physical, emotional, mental,
social, aesthetic, and
spiritual-to help clients to
improve or maintain their
health
History
 The idea of music as a healing
influence which could affect
health and behavior is as least
as old as the writings of Aristotle
and Plato.
 The 20th century both amateur
and professional, went to
Veterans hospitals around the
country to play for the
thousands of veterans suffering
both physical and emotional
trauma from the wars.
 The patients' notable physical and
emotional responses to music led
the doctors and nurses to request
the hiring of musicians by the
hospitals.
 Soon, the hospital musicians needed
some prior training before entering
the facility and so the demand grew
for a college curriculum.
 The first music therapy degree
program in the world was founded at
Michigan State University in 1944
 The American Music Therapy
Association was founded in
1998 as a union of the National
Association for Music Therapy
and the American Association
for Music therapy.
Purposes
 It is also used to:
 promote wellness
 manage stress
 alleviate pain
 express feelings
 enhance memory
 improve communication
 promote physical rehabilitation.
 Kinds
Of
Music Therapy
 Improvising
- the client makes up his or her
own music extemporaneously,
singing or playing whatever
arises in the moment
-the client may improvise freely,
responding spontaneously to
the sounds as they emerge, or
the client may improvise
according to the specific musical
directions given by the therapist
 Re-creating music
-the client sings or plays precomposed music
-This kind of music experience may include:
 learning how to produce vocal or instrumental
sounds
 imitating musical phrases,
 learning to sing by rote
 using musical notation
 articipating in sing-alongs
 practicing
 taking music lessons
 performing a piece from memory
 working out the musical interpretation of a
composition
 participating in a musical show or drama
 Composing
- the therapist helps the client to
write songs, lyrics, or instrumental
pieces, or to create any kind of
musical product, such as music
videos or audiotape programs
 Listening
- the client takes in and reacts to live or
recorded music
-listening experience may focus on
physical, emotional, intellectual,
aesthetic, or spiritual aspects of the
music, and the client may respond
through activities such as:
• relaxation or meditation
• structured or free movement
• perceptual tasks
• free-association
• story-telling
• imaging
• reminiscing
• drawing
Mechanics
Collects necessary background information by
reviewing any written records or referrals that
may be available.
Conducts an assessment to determine the
client’s strength and therapeutic needs.
Formulates goals sometimes with input from
the client, client’s family, other professionals or
an interdisciplinary team of clinicians.
Makes a treatment plan outlining possible
strategies and music experiences that might be
helpful in meeting client’s needs.
Conducts periodic evaluations to determine
whether the methods of treatment are effective
and whether the client is making any progress
in reaching the prescribed goals
Prepares the client for leaving and helps to
bring some kind of closure to the process
Nursing
Responsibilities
 In hospital setting, music therapist
develop listening programs to meet
various patient needs, produce
shows or various kinds of musical
events involving patients, arrange for
patients to attend concerts in the
community or direct various kinds of
recreational or therapeutic activities.
 In schools, music therapist may
consult with classroom teachers or
develop group music programs for
special students.
 In the community, music therapist
may consult with psychologists or
psychiatrists or provide musical
instruction to special children.