Some Things You Need to Know about Music Therapy

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the term "music therapy."  I am a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), and I've gotten a lot of reactions to my occupation.  One of the most memorable was when a patient told me, "I'm not into any of that Kum-Ba-Yah $h!t."  Or when I was a student and told people I was majoring in music therapy, "what do you want to do with that degree?"  Go into dentistry, of course!!

I'm here to clear some things up.

• First, a definition of music therapy.

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

• Music therapy is not just for sick musicians.  

Anyone, regardless of musical background, can benefit from music therapy interventions.  No experience necessary.  The reason for this is because music therapy goals are non-musical.  We simply use music to reach our goals.

• I am not a volunteer

I spent a lot of money, time, and effort studying and learning how to do what I do.  (This is addressed in a later bullet point.  Stay with me!)  Please respect that with the acknowledgment that I deserve to be paid.

• I am not an entertainer.

I am a therapist.  I assess patients' needs, create goals, implement plans, and document progress.  What I do is challenging work, and everything I do is purposeful.  This is therapy, not entertainment.

• "So, do you just play guitar and sing all day long?"

Take just out of your vocabulary.  I don't just do anything.  See above.

• "I'm too anxious right now, I really don't need any more stimulation."

As a music therapist, I am trained to use music and music therapy techniques to decrease anxiety and promote relaxation.  If you're feeling anxious, I'm the perfect person you want to see right now.  Not only is music therapy effective in decreasing anxiety, it is non pharmacological, which means no side effects!

• We are not hippies.

I know "music therapy" can sound very hippie-dippie, but as I've said before, I am a therapist.  I don't sit around a campfire singing "Pass it On."

• Let me tell you about our education.  It's more invested than you'd think.

Every (real) music therapist has (at least) a bachelor's degree in music therapy.  Not a certificate, but an actual degree.  And the degree is actually specifically in music therapy.  A lot of people ask if we have music degrees.  They're right.  But wait, there's more.  Our degree includes music courses, psychology courses, anatomy, liberal arts core, music therapy clinicals/practica, and probably some others that I've forgotten (and you can't really blame me, it's a bit overwhelming.)  And that's just the coursework.  Most people take 4.5-5 years to complete this part of undergrad.  The rest is the 6-month internship, which is INTENSE!!  This is a requirement, not an option.  This is where all the in-depth training happens.  This is where we take all the things we learn in the classroom, and apply it under supervision and direction of a qualified supervisor.  My internship changed my life.

• No, I don't want to try out for American Idol

I like my job.  If I wanted to try out for American Idol, I wouldn't be able to do what I love.  Thanks for the compliment, but I probably won't follow your suggestion.

• "Is there an article out there about what you do?"

Yes, lots.  Music therapy is an evidence-based practice.  We have two research journals, Journal of Music Therapy, and Music Therapy Perspectives.  I realize you're probably looking for some feel-good "music calms the savage breast" or "music heals the soul" article, but these research articles are much more exciting.  (maybe I just feel that way because I'm a nerd...)

• I am NOT here for background music.

Just, no.

• "I'm afraid I might fall asleep if you play music, I don't want to be rude."

I work in a medical setting, where patients may be dealing with anxiety or pain.  If music therapy promotes so much relaxation that my patient falls asleep, that means I have done my job.  I take it as a compliment!  Please fall asleep!  (The only problem is that I'm very clumsy, so I usually wake them up when I'm trying to leave...)

• "Can you go play for [insert patient's name here]?"

No, but I can provide music therapy services for them.  What is your reason for referral?

• Yes, I've seen all the Dateline specials about music.

I get very excited when music changed lives.  That's why I got into this profession!  However, not every story you hear on the news is music therapy.  Music therapy only happens when a credentialed professional is providing services.  Sure, it may look the same as that volunteer who plays piano at the nursing home, but a music therapist has a clinical purpose behind EVERY aspect of their interaction with a patient or client.  The volunteer on the Dateline special may be talented and I appreciate their time and compassion, but they don't have the ability to make the clinical decisions I do.  It's not the same thing.

• Lastly, a link for you.

www.musictherapy.org

Yes, we're organized.

Thanks for sticking with me.  I hope you found this informative!  Next time you see someone in the hospital elevator with a guitar, don't ask for "a little elevator music,"  or scream "FREE BIRD!!"  (Those jokes weren't funny the first thousand times)  Instead, thank them for their hard work and passion using the great medium of music to impact lives!