Music therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses music to improve physical and mental health. Music therapists work with people of all ages and backgrounds, often in psychiatric or rehabilitation facilities. Training and licensing are required, and research is an important aspect of the field. Music therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits and is recognized as a valid form of therapy by most mental health agencies.
There is an old proverb that says: “Music tames the wild animal”. While this saying may not be entirely accurate, the healing power of music is known the world over and is harnessed in a form of expressive therapy called music therapy or music therapy. Music therapists work with people from all walks of life, including people with physical disabilities, mental disorders and illnesses, seniors, and more. Music therapist jobs are highly personal, and a session with a music therapist is usually done one-on-one, as is the case with most mental health careers.
Music therapist jobs can be found in a variety of settings. Music therapy is sometimes prescribed as psychiatric treatment; therefore, music therapists may work in psychiatric facilities or offices. A music therapist working a psychiatric hospital job is considered to be one of the highest paying music therapist jobs. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, as well as physical rehabilitation centers for people with physical disabilities, are also common places that a music therapist works. Some music therapists may choose to practice on their own and, less commonly, may work with a patient in their own home.
Getting music therapist jobs requires training. The type of training required varies by location, but generally requires a four-year or longer degree from an accredited university program. Music therapist jobs also require the professional to be licensed to perform this work in their country. This usually requires over 1,000 hours of clinical observation and training and passing a board exam. If a music therapist is considering pursuing more in-depth work and also providing psychotherapy, more training is needed. Although the qualifications required depend on location, music therapists generally need to demonstrate proficiency in many types of instruments and vocal instruction, as well as some of the health skills that would generally be needed by someone working in a health care field.
Music therapy has been shown to improve almost every aspect of human life, from allowing Alzheimer’s disease patients to retrieve certain memories, to improving motor skills in children with autism. This was discovered through clinical trials, leading to another aspect of the music therapist’s work: research. Many studies are conducted annually to see how music therapy promotes brain and motor activity, and researchers are almost always needed in the field. Music therapy is considered a valid form of therapy by most mental health agencies and is reimbursable in the United States under Medicaid and Medicare.
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