Music Therapy

What is Medical Music Therapy?
Medical music therapy in hospitals is directed toward enhancing patients’ quality of life through the use of live music and personal interaction. Medical music therapists use patient-preferred live music (country, gospel, rock, jazz, etc.) to meet a variety of needs which include but are not limited to:

Reducing or decreasing: Improving or increasing:
  • Pain
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Depression
  • Isolation
  • Trauma during procedures
  • Communication
  • Socialization
  • Mood and quality of life
  • Relaxation
  • Coping skills
  • Self-expression
  • Spiritual comfort
  • Autonomy
  • Perception of hospitalization

Who can benefit from music therapy?
Anyone, from premature infants through end of life can benefit from music therapy.  Individuals who most benefit may be experiencing any of the following:

  • Pain
  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Isolation
  • Difficulty communicating
  • Reduced motivation
  • Lack of stimulation
  • Limited mobility
  • Extended hospitalization
  • Difficult and/or painful procedures
  • Lengthy and/or difficult labor
  • Spiritual crisis
  • End of life

What does a music therapist do?
Quite simply, music therapists use live music and the characteristics of music to produce positive change(s) in individuals. They use a variety of techniques and interventions to accomplish the goals set for each patient. All sessions are tailored to fit the needs of the individual or group. Some common music therapy techniques and interventions that have been researched and proven effective are:

  • Active listening
  • Lyric analysis
  • Instrument playing
  • Song writing
  • Guided imagery
  • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • Isoprinciple
  • Distraction
  • Continuous music
  • Word recall through singing
  • Movement to music
  • Successive approximations
  • Music as reinforcement
  • Sensory stimulation
  • Counseling

What does music therapy look like?
If you were to walk in on a music therapy session in progress, you would see the music therapist providing live music selected by the patient.  The music therapist would most likely be singing and playing guitar, harp, keyboard, dulcimer, Q-chord, or another accompaniment instrument.  The patient may be playing rhythm instruments and singing along, or just listening.  Families and visitors are engaged in sessions whenever possible, so you might find a group of people actively participating in the music.  Sometimes music therapists facilitate group sessions for patients with similar needs.

Who can be a music therapist?
Qualified music therapy professionals have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or Master’s equivalency) in music therapy from an accredited university, and an internship consisting of at least 900 clinical hours before they are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.  Upon passing the exam, music therapists acquire the credentials MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified).

Some music therapists choose to further their education and/or expertise and complete additional specialized training to become certified in specific areas.  Common additional credentials include but are not limited to:

  • MM: Master of Music
  • MA: Master of Arts
  • MME: Master of Music Education
  • PhD: Doctor of Philosophy
  • NICU MT: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapist
  • NMT: Neurologic Music Therapist