MUSIC THERAPY

What is Music Therapy?

Music

Therapy is the clinical and evidencebased use of music interventions to

accomplish individualized goals within a
therapeutic relationship by a credentialed
professional who has completed an approved
music therapy program.
It is an established health profession in
which music is used 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.
Music therapy also provides
avenues for communication that can
be helpful to those who find it
difficult to express themselves in

Music Used to address:

Physical needs
Emotional needs

Cognitive needs
Social needs
Communication needs

Assessment
Observation

Interaction response
Evaluations to other Professionals
IEP(Individual Educational Plan)
Interviews (Client/ Student, Parents,
Guardians, other Related Service
Providers, Physicians etc.)

Treament:
Creating
Singing
Moving
Listening
Lyric Discussions
Music and Imagery
Music Performance
Learning through Music

Outcome:
Strengthen abilities
Develop new skills
Maintain

skills
Create avenues for
communication

MUSIC THERAPY
ESSENTIALS

Role of a Music
Therapist
Assesses

emotional well being,

physical health, social functioning
communication abilities and
cognitive skills through musical
responses
Designs music sessions to meet
the individual or group needs

Utilizes

different tools such as:

Improvisation
Receptive music listening
Song writing
Lyric discussion
Music and Imagery
Music Performance
Learning through music
Movement
Songs with Visuals and/or manipulative
Games
Role Play / Dramatization

People who benefit from

Music Therapy
Children
Adolescent
Adults
Elderly
Developmental

and learning disabilities

Alzheimers disease and other aging conditions
Substance abuse problems
Brain injuries
Physical disabilities
Acute and chronic pain
Mothers in labor
Premature babies

Places Where Music

Therapist Can Work at:
Psychiatric

hospitals
Rehabilitative facilities
Medical hospitals
Outpatient clinics
Day care treatment centers
Agencies serving developmental
disable persons
Community mental health centers

 Drug

and alcohol programs

Senior centers
Nursing homes
Hospice programs
Correctional facilities
Halfway houses
Schools
Private practice

Brief History of Music

Therapy
Aristotle

and Plato writings

pioneered the idea ad healing
influence which could affect health
and behavior
After World War I and II, musicians
went to hospitals for veterans who
suffer emotional and physical trauma
from wars.
Doctors and nurses requested that
musicians be hired by the hospitals.

 Hospital

musicians needed some

prior training before entering the
facility
Demand for college curriculum
Michigan State University was the
first music therapy degree program
in 1944
American Music Therapy Association
was founded in 1988 as a union of
National Association of MT and the

Misconceptions about Music

Therapy
That

clients have to have

particular music ability.
That there is one musical
style that is more therapeutic
than another.
That clients need to learn
about music.

Use of Music in Various

Environments:
Hospitals

Supplements pain reduction with

anesthesia or pain medication
Change patients mood
Counteracts depression
Promotes movements for physical
rehabilitation
Creates calming effect
Induces sleep
Counteracts fear
Lessen muscle tension

Nursing Homes
Increases

or maintains their level of

physical, mental social/emotional
function

Improves

the quality of life through

sensory and intellectual stimulation

Schools
Helps

or enables students to meet

their Individual Educational Plan
Strengthens students aptitudes in
different areas such as:

Communication Skills
Physical Coordination
Social Skills
Functional academic skills
Literacy skills
Math skills

Psychiatric Facilities
Motivates

exploration of personal

feelings
Induces positive changes in
emotional states
Initiates sense of control over life
through successful experiences
Helps with problem solving
Resolves conflicts leading to stronger
relationships
Provides safe expression of self

Quotes about Music

Therapy
Dr.

Clive Robbins (Nordoff-Robbins

Music Therapy Clinic)
Almost all children respond to
music. Music is an open-sesame, and
if you can use it carefully and
appropriately, you can reach into
that childs potential for
development.

 Michael

Greene, President and CEO

of NARAS-1997 Grammy Awards

When we look at the body of

evidence that the arts contribute to
our society, its absolutely
astounding. Music Therapists are
breaking down the walls of silence
and affliction of autism, Alzheimers
and Parkinsons disease.

 Sen

Harry Reid
Simply put, music can heal people

Mendelssohn believed that music

reached:
Regions where words cannot
follow it.
Tchaikovsky said that music was a:
Revelation, revealing to us

Music Therapy for Healthy

Individuals
Stress

reduction
Expression of self
Physical Exercise
Creativity Enhancement