What is Music Therapy!?
Music therapy is the specialized use of music by a credentialed professional who develops individualized treatment and supportive interventions with people of all ages and ability levels to address their social, communication, emotional, physical, cognitive, behavioral, sensory and/or spiritual needs.
Who can facilitate music therapy sessions?
Only a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) is qualified to facilitate music therapy sessions.
- Music therapists must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from one of American’s 72 approved colleges and universities, including 1200 hours of clinical training.
- Music therapists must hold the MT-BC credential, issued through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, which protects the public by ensuring competent practice and requiring continuing education.
- Music Therapy is an evidence-based health profession with a strong research foundation.
How is music therapy similar to psychotherapy?
There are many similarities between music therapy and psychotherapy including but not limited to:
- Both evaluate the needs of the client using appropriate assessment tools.
- Both develop goals and responsive treatment plans.
- Both utilize research-based interventions, techniques and modalities.
- Both progress monitor client growth towards goals.
- Both are individualized and client-centered.
- Both prioritize the healing relationship between client and therapist.
- Both can treat and support healing in a variety of areas.
- Both are performed by highly trained professionals who demonstrate competencies within their profession.
How is music therapy different from psychotherapy?
While there are many similarities between music therapy and psychotherapy, several differences are noteworthy. First, psychotherapists can diagnose mental health issues while this is not allowable under a music therapists’ scope of practice. Additionally, psychotherapists generally utilize “talk-therapy” to promote healing while a music therapist utilizes therapeutic music experiences (TMEs) such as song-writing, lyric analysis, instrument improvisation, music listening, or other expressive/receptive exercises involving music as a primary means to address an individual’s needs.
During a music therapy session, skills and processing can be addressed directly within the TME whereby requiring little to no verbal processing at all. On the other hand, following a TME verbal processing may occur according to client preferences, level of client engagement and ability, and therapist’s determination of need and appropriateness.
The specific use of music therapy (differing from psychotherapy) can be requested when the traditional verbal expression of emotions, feelings and experiences is hindered in some capacity. Clients who experience the following factors often choose music therapy as a preferred method to promote healing:
- Clients who are unable to identify their feelings and emotions.
- Clients who can identify their emotions but struggle to express them in a productive, healthy or expected manner.
- Clients who are simply uncomfortable expressing their emotions using words.
- Young clients experiencing postnatal or pre-verbal trauma.
- Clients who are unwilling to participate in traditional psychotherapy methods.
- Clients who simply prefer engaging in music experiences rather than verbal interaction.
Who can participate in music therapy?
Because music is a universal language, anyone can participate in music therapy! Music therapy sessions are tailored to the clients’ individual need and may look very different for each person. For example, a child experiencing inattention stemming from an ADHD diagnosis may work on impulse control through attending to a musical task and waiting his/her turn to play an instrument. Conversely, a teen suffering from depression or other social/emotional issues may utilize exercises in a music therapy session to express and process difficult emotions or to relieve anxiety. A child on the autism spectrum may participate in therapeutic music experiences to facilitate communication, while an elderly man with dementia may listen to or participate in activities using music from his younger days in order to orient in time and associate relationships with loved ones.
Why music therapy at LiveFree Counseling?
In an effort to provide a holistic approach to healing, LiveFree Counseling now offers music therapy to children and adolescents ages 5-18 in a safe, comfortable, welcoming setting. Through music therapy, you or your loved one will be provided services from our board-certified music therapist committed to tailoring sessions to specific need areas. Clients of any and all ability levels will have opportunities to explore their inner experiences, express thoughts and feelings, develop concrete skills, process emotions, and engage in a healthy coping tool in order to make growth and progress towards healing in order to truly LiveFree.
Meet Brooke Patterson, MT-BC, LiveFree’s Board Certified Music Therapist.
Contact us today at 720.465.6180 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
