No. Kathleen and Betsey have both found that their schedules don’t permit them to answer individual inquiries. Fortunately, 99% of the questions we’ve received in the past are answered on this page!<\/p>\n
Two reasons: (1) this is meant to be an informational, rather than a discussion, site; and (2) we simply don’t have time to moderate or respond, and don’t want to leave you hanging — or staring at weird spam. \u00a0There are many places to discuss music therapy online and you deserve to get a response when you ask a question or make a comment!<\/p>\n
Music Therapy is the prescribed use, by a qualified music therapist, of (1) music, (2) music-related activities, and (3) the relationships that develop through shared musical experiences to support positive changes in a person’s physical, cognitive, communication, social, or emotional state. Music therapists work in a variety of settings, including medicine, rehabilitation, psychiatric care, special education, correctional facilities, state schools, community-based health care, and private practice. For more information, see “What is Music Therapy?” (link in left hand column)<\/p>\n
To practice music therapy, you need to have (1) completed an undergraduate degree or equivalency in music therapy from a college or university approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA); (2) completed a supervised internship (several months, usually full-time) at a clinical site approved by AMTA; and (3) passed a national board certification exam and then maintained your certification through re-taking the exam or completion of continuing education.<\/p>\n
For more detailed information on the education and training of music therapists, visit the web site for the American Music Therapy Association<\/strong><\/a> (301-589-3300) and for information about board-certification, visit the CBMT<\/strong><\/a> website. \u00a0 Nazareth College<\/strong> (where Betsey teaches) has a page where you can learn about a music therapist’s education<\/a> and read some more FAQs.<\/p>\n If you would like to know what you can expect from a qualified music therapist, see our page on the subject linked in the left-hand column.<\/p>\n Music practitioners are not music therapists; they are trained specifically to create a generally healing environment by playing music at patients’ bedsides. Training takes a year with the student attending 5 weekend workshops and doing independent study. The internship period is 45 hours (as compared to the 900+ hours required to become a board-certified music therapist). This website<\/strong> <\/a>has more information.<\/p>\n Music therapy is an expanding field and music therapists find work both as employees and as private contractors across the country and internationally. AMTA keeps statistics on a variety of topics, including (1) salaries; (2) places currently employing music therapists; and (3) populations served by music therapy. For more information, please contact the American Music Therapy Association<\/a> (301-589-3300).<\/p>\n You can search for a MT-BC here<\/a>. We recommend MT-BCs who are also members of AMTA. AMTA (musictherapy.org) has a database of its member therapists at its website. University music therapy programs near you may also be able to help you. These are also listed at the American Music Therapy Association website <\/a>or at (301-589-3300).<\/p>\n Yes! They have all kinds of information; from fact sheets on how music therapy is used in various settings and research bulletins, to announcements about upcoming conferences, to lists of schools that offer music therapy degrees. Take the time to explore!<\/p>\n Yes. Not only is there extensive research in the pages of the two AMTA peer-reviewed journals, Journal of Music Therapy,<\/em> and Music Therapy Perspectives,<\/em> but there are international journals of music therapy and music medicine, and research in these fields regularly appears in journals from other professions. \u00a0Music therapy research in neuroscience, neonatal intensive care, and Alzheimer’s disease is going on at major medical centers throughout the country.<\/p>\n The “Mozart Effect” was widely publicized and was\u00a0mostly exaggerated or misunderstood.\u00a0The researchers who conducted the studies that were then publicized for book and music sales never meant for their research to be interpreted so broadly. \u00a0Before spending money on any treatment or method (including music therapy!), do your own investigation beyond the headlines and sales pitches.<\/p>\n These methods might be more appropriately referred to as “acoustic therapy,” because they focus on the listening experience exclusively, and often involve the masking or emphasis on certain frequencies. The primary distinction from music therapy is that music therapy always involves an ongoing interpersonal relationship between therapist and client, and an emphasis on live music.<\/p>\n You can begin by doing some research online; we love Google Scholar and\u00a0you can also use a university library search engine. Another good resource would be music therapists with experience in your particular area of interest. To find them, contact the American Music Therapy Association <\/a>(301-589-3300) for a list of university programs near you, or for music therapists in your area who specialize in the work you want to know about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Won’t it just be quicker if I e-mail you with my question? No. Kathleen and Betsey have both found that their schedules don’t permit them to answer individual inquiries. Fortunately, 99% of the questions we’ve received in the past are answered on this page! Why are you blocking comments? Two reasons: (1) this is meant … Continue reading What about Certified Music Practitioners? Are they music therapists?<\/h3>\n
How much do music therapists make? Are there jobs?<\/h3>\n
How can I find a music therapist near me?<\/h3>\n
Are you telling me I should visit the American Music Therapy Association website<\/a>?<\/h3>\n
Is there research to support the use of music therapy?<\/h3>\n
Does the Mozart Effect or [fill in current trendy method] really work?<\/h3>\n
What about AIT\u00a0and other therapies involving headphones?<\/h3>\n
How do I find out about music and [insert area of interest<\/em>]?<\/h3>\n