Understanding the Profession and the Journey to Becoming a Music Therapist
Did you know that April 10-15th Music Therapy Week? It’s the perfect time to celebrate the field, spread awareness, and highlight the incredible work that board-certified music therapists (MT-BCs) do every day. While many people have heard of music therapy, there are still plenty of misconceptions about what it actually is and what it takes to become a music therapist.
So, let’s break it down!
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based healthcare profession where trained professionals use musical interactions and the therapy relationship to help individuals reach their physical, developmental, emotional, cognitive, and social goals. Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, hospice care, rehabilitation centers, and private practice—just to name a few settings!
Music therapy is not just about playing music or entertaining people. It’s a structured and intentional process that involves assessing a client’s needs, setting individualized goals, and using specific music-based techniques to support therapeutic outcomes.
Sessions may include:
🎵 Improvisation to foster connection, creativity and spontaneity
🎵 Lyric analysis to encourage self-reflection and discussion
🎵 Group music-making to enhance social skills and peer interaction
🎵 Live music experiences to regulate sensory processing and emotional states
🎵 Guided music relaxation for stress reduction and mindfulness
🎵 Adaptive music strategies to meet diverse accessibility needs
🎵 Singing to enhance speech and language development
🎵 Songwriting to support emotional expression
🎵 Music listening to reduce pain or anxiety
What Does It Take to Become a Music Therapist?
Becoming a music therapist requires dedication, extensive education, and hands-on clinical training. Here’s what the process looks like:
1. Earn a Degree in Music Therapy
A bachelor’s degree in music therapy from an accredited undergraduate program is the first step. Coursework covers subjects like:
🎶 Psychology and human development
🎶 Music theory and performance
🎶 Clinical applications of music
🎶 Research in music therapy
🎶 Anatomy and physiology
Some professionals also pursue master’s or doctoral degrees to specialize further or engage in research and teaching.
2. Complete 1,200 Hours of Clinical Training
Music therapy students must complete a supervised internship (Mainstay has a National Roster (approved) Internship Site!!) that provides real-world experience working with clients. This hands-on training ensures that future therapists can apply their knowledge in clinical settings.
3. Pass the Board Certification Exam
To officially practice as a music therapist, graduates must pass the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) exam. Upon passing, they earn the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist—Board Certified), which signifies they meet national professional standards.
4. Continue Learning and Growing
Board-certified music therapists must complete 100 continuing education credits every five years to maintain their certification. This helps us stay updated on the latest research, techniques, and best practices.
Why Is Music Therapy Important?
Music therapy makes a profound impact on people’s lives. It helps children develop communication skills, supports individuals with disabilities in gaining higher quality of life, reduces stress and pain for hospital patients, and provides comfort and connection to those in end-of-life care. The field continues to grow as research highlights music’s powerful role in brain function, emotional well-being, and rehabilitation.
How Can You Support Music Therapy?
Since April is Music Therapy Month, now is the perfect time to advocate for and support music therapy! Here are a few ways to get involved:
✅ Educate others – Share this post or start a conversation about what music therapy really is.
✅ Support legislation – Many states are working toward music therapy licensure to increase accessibility and recognition.
✅ Hire a music therapist – If you work in healthcare, education, or community programs, consider adding a music therapist to your team or as a part of your programming.
✅ Follow music therapy organizations – Groups like the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) provide valuable resources.
Music therapy is an incredible profession that blends science, creativity, and compassion to change lives. This Music Therapy Month, let’s celebrate the dedicated professionals in this field and continue spreading awareness!
Have questions about music therapy? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🎶✨