Music Therapist Information
Music therapists are musicians and therapists. Music therapy involves a therapeutic musical interaction between therapist and patient. Patients and therapist play and explore music together. Music therapy takes a holistic approach to therapy--techniques concentrate on the well-being of a patient as a whole not on specific health problems.
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Outline of Muisc Therapy Approach
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Music is an activity that involves sharing, listening and communication. Everybody has the ability to respond and be touched by music, a fact that forms the basics of the job of the music therapist. Music therapists use many approaches to get the patient involved in a musical experience. By encouraging them to be absorbed in something other than their troubles, the patient can often move beyond themselves. The development of a therapeutic relationship between the patient and therapist is fundamental to all music therapy. Both parties play an active verbal and musical role in sessions.
Techniques, Aims and Settings
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Patients are encouraged to use their own voice and a range of musical instruments to express themselves in music. The musical therapist aims to create positive changes in the emotional well-being and behavior of the patient. She also tries to develop increased self-awareness in the patient, which should improve the patient's quality of life. Music therapy is usually carried out in a music room where there is guaranteed privacy.
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Clients
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Music therapists work with adults and children of all ability and ages. Music therapists will often work with people who have mental health problems, communication problems, learning disabilities, disruptive behavior, eating disorders, addiction problems; and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Also, music therapists work with individuals without any specific problems who wish to use music therapy to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and to improve their life.
Becoming a Music Therapist
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To become a music therapist, you have to complete a music therapy course. Music therapy courses are usually one or two year postgraduate masters or diploma courses taught at a university. Applicants for music therapy courses must have a high level of musicianship. Usually a diploma or graduateship from a music college or a degree in music from a university is required. Sometimes applicants who have a degree in psychology or education may be accepted on to a course if they also have a level of musicianship. Applicants are also assessed on suitability for the work and their personality.
The American Music Therapy Association
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The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998. It is the AMTA that establishes the criteria for the clinical training and academic education of music therapists. All college and university courses must be accredited by the AMTA and professional registration of music therapists takes place with the AMTA. The AMTA also outlines a strict code of ethics and standards practices that music therapists must conform to when practicing. The AMTA also funds research into music therapy and prints an academic journal: The Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives.
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References
- Photo Credit music notes image by cherie from Fotolia.com
