What Is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the clinical use of music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. It is an established health profession in which music is used to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social, and spiritual needs of individuals.

After assessing the strengths and challenges of a client, a qualified music therapist creates a treatment plan which may include playing, composing, singing, improvising, dancing to, discussing, and/or listening to music. Through musical engagement in a therapeutic context, the clients' abilities are strengthened and naturally transfer to other areas of their lives.

Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.

Research in music therapy supports its efficacy in many areas such as: mental health, memory care, physical rehabilitation, increasing motivation, facilitating greater communication, providing emotional support, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.