What is Music Therapy?
- Noel Anderson, MMT, MT-BC
- Aug 29
- 5 min read
When you think of therapy, you probably think of sitting in a room with a counselor, diving deep into your past experiences and feelings. That’s realistic, and a valuable method of therapy – but it isn’t the only way. If you or a loved one are someone who better responds to music or movement, music therapy might be a better fit. But what exactly is music therapy?
At its core, music therapy is about enabling a client to work towards their goals with the assistance of music. It’s not about being entertained; it’s about accessing and unlocking emotions, using music as a tool to support your journey. Crucially, it’s about finding a way for you as an individual, with your therapist tailoring their approach to your situation and even musical preferences.
Want to find out more? Read on to discover our short guide to music therapy.
How Does Music Therapy Work?
Music therapy takes away the pressure that sitting on a therapist’s couch may induce for some people. It’s a space for emotions to unlock and aims to get them flowing freely, allowing clients to move through their challenges.
It's not just about emotional challenges either; music therapy can help those with physical health conditions improve their motor skills and coordination, as well as reducing perception of pain in chronic conditions among other needs, according to Musicians Without Borders.
Benefits of Music Therapy
If you’ve ever felt a mood boost when listening to your favourite song, or felt emotional listening to certain melodies or lyrics, then you’ve experienced the power of music. Music therapy harnesses this, as well as the physical movement involved in playing an instrument.
As a result, the benefits of music therapy are wide and applicable to a whole range of people. It can:
· Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
· Improve cognitive functioning
· Help with communication challenges
· Encourage self-expression
· Help recall important memories
· Enhance social functioning
· Offer emotional relief
· Boost memory
· Help with pain relief
· Improve sleep quality
· And more
Perhaps one of the biggest overall benefits of music therapy is the fact that it can be easily tailored to the client, and is a non-invasive approach. It also takes place in a more comfortable environment for many people, as they can move around and choose which instruments they engage with, as opposed to traditional talking therapies, which can be more rigid. This makes it particularly suitable for children, teens, and older adults with conditions such as dementia who may struggle in a more clinical environment.
Who Can Benefit?
As we’ve touched on already, everyone can benefit from music therapy. However, it is particularly effective for children, teens, and older adults.
Children
Children with special needs may particularly benefit, especially if they struggle with emotional processing and regulation. It can be hard for children to know how to express their feelings in a safe way, and this can result in what is labelled as bad behavior. Music therapy can help these children share how they are feeling so that their parents and caregivers can better understand them, as well as giving them a safe outlet to work through their emotions.
Teens
Adolescents may benefit from music therapy as they navigate the many challenges of growing up, such as identity development, peer relationships, and academic pressures. Teens often struggle to put their feelings into words, which can lead to frustration, withdrawal, or acting out. Music therapy provides a safe and creative outlet for self-expression, allowing teens to explore emotions, build coping skills, and develop healthy ways to communicate. It also supports confidence and self-esteem, helping them feel more understood and connected during this critical stage of life.
Older adults
Many people struggle with memory loss and the resulting anxiety or depression as they age. On top of this, age means we’re not as physically mobile as we used to be. Music therapy can help with both of these areas, improving memory recall, increasing social interaction, boosting general cognitive functioning but also helping with motor skills. It’s often effective to deliver music therapy sessions in nursing homes or other group settings, adding to the social and community benefits of being in a class.
Music therapy can be particularly effective for adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Music is often linked to memory, and playing certain songs can help seniors unlock parts of the past or support them as they think of these memories. In fact, musical memories often aren’t impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that music therapy can be particularly effective.
What a Session Looks Like
There’s no ‘typical’ music therapy session, because the therapist will tailor each one to the individual – it’s a highly personalized approach. However, the sessions do tend to feature a mix of improvisation, listening to music, songwriting and re-creation, where the therapist accompanies the client playing live music. Each of these music therapy techniques are modified and chosen based on the client’s goals and personal treatment plan, which is agreed after the initial consultation.
How to Access Music Therapy Services
While some individuals are eligible for grants or sessions are covered through private insurance plans, the majority of people will need to pay for their treatment privately. The first step is to contact your chosen music therapist, and then typically you’ll start with a consultation, where both sides can discuss if music therapy could be a good fit. From there, your therapist will be able to guide you through their suggested treatment plan.
Training & Credentials of Music Therapists
It’s important to know that there are specific credentials you should look out for when choosing a music therapist. This way, you can be sure that you’re working with a professional who has the right qualifications and experience to successfully support you or your loved one.
To become a Board Certified Music Therapist, an individual must obtain a degree in Music Therapy at a college program approved by the American Music Therapy Association. During this time, they will also participate in 200 hours of clinical practicum and a 1000-hour internship. Upon completing their internship, they can then take a test to become Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). That’s a lot of hours, so it’s clear how important it is to choose someone with the right qualifications.
In addition to their general education, some music therapists will choose to take extra qualifications that are specific to neuroscience, neonatal care, hospice or palliative care.
Access The Power Of Music Therapy
Everyone has challenging times – even musicians. Music therapy is there as a route to support and help you work through those challenges in a safe, welcoming environment. With the assistance of a licensed music therapist, you can work towards your goals and have a safe space to let out your emotions. Learn more on our website, or get in touch today.