What is 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 (AMTA, 2005).
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In other words, music therapy is a powerful and unique way to for a licensed professional to work with clients towards achieving their non-musical mental and physical health goals, using music as the catalyst for change.
Who Can it Help?
Music therapy has been researched and successfully applied in many areas, including but not limited to: rehabilitation, special education, mental health, pain management, and more.
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Katelynn has had experience and training in many areas but she gained a special appreciation for music therapy in mental health while using music to help her work through her own mental health challenges. That appreciation deepened while completing her 6 month internship in a behavioral health hospital. Understanding the way music interacts with the brain to help access and process things that are otherwise difficult to reach is something she is passionate about helping others do.
How does it work?
Music therapists utilize a range of therapeutic musical interventions. These interventions include experiences that can be receptive in nature as clients participate in music listening, lyric analysis, or musical games. Interventions can also be improvisational as clients participate in instrumental or vocal improvisation. Clients can also participate in re-creative interventions as they engage in instrument playing or song re-writes. Or interventions can be compositional as clients work with the music therapist to create their own songs.​
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Music has a unique way of interacting with the brain that allows clients to reach goals that can otherwise be difficult to reach. A music therapist will work with the client to determine what their goals are and the most effective way music can be utilized to work towards those goals.
What is a board certified music therapist?
A board certified music therapist (MT-BC) must have at least a bachelor's degree and pass competencies in musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations. MT-BCs are also required to have 1200 hours of clinical training, 900 of which must come from a supervised internship. MT-BCs must pass proficiencies in guitar, voice, keyboard, and musical improvisation. Finally, MT-BCs have to pass a board certification exam before they can assume the title of MT-BC and treat clients.
