5 Things to Know About Music Therapy

Music therapy is a fairly new therapeutic modality. Emerging in the late 20th century, music therapists across the globe have worked hard to establish music therapy as a respected therapy. Here are 5 things to know about music therapy.

1. Music therapy is provided by a board-certified professional.

A music therapist goes through intensive training and education to become a credentialed professional. A music therapist must have at least a bachelor's degree in music therapy, complete an intensive internship, and pass a board certification test administered through the Certification Board of Music Therapists. Upon completion of these requirements, a music therapist can hold the MT-BC title (MT-BC stands for Music Therapist-Board Certified). This training provides music therapists with the unique skills to provide music therapy in safe and effective ways.

2. Music therapy is an evidence-based practice.

Although music therapy is still growing as a profession, music therapists pay extra attention to providing the most reliable and tested music techniques. Part of being a music therapist is participating in research to continue to contribute to the growing body of scientific research that validates music therapy efforts. The Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Perspectives are two scientific journals dedicated solely to music therapy research.

3. Music therapy can use active participation or receptive participation.

Active participation in music therapy involves the playing of musical instruments or actively moving to music. This can be done by a child with Down Syndrome singing a song to improve verbal communication or a teen with a trauma history writing a song to express their feelings. Receptive participation in music therapy are passive intervention where the client does not actively engage in music-making. This therapeutic technique can look like a cancer patient listening to live music performed by the music therapist to reduce pain sensations or an individual with anxiety listening to pre-recorded music to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Both active and passive participation in music therapy has therapeutic benefits and can be decided between the client and their music therapist to find the best fit for their goals.

4. Music therapy can be provided in a variety of settings.

Just as you can hear music playing in the world around you, music therapy does not have to be confined to one setting. There have been proven benefits to music therapy in school settings, correctional facilities (such as prisons and juvenile detention centers), private practice or office settings, community centers, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice programs, outpatient mental health facilities, in-home, and many more. Most likely, if there is a setting that you can think of where people go to receive any type of service or treatment, music therapy can be provided there.

5. Music therapy is not supported by most insurance companies at this time.

Unfortunately, most music therapists only accept private pay at this time. This is due to music therapy not being recognized by most insurance companies in Illinois as a service to reimburse. Music therapists in Illinois have worked directly with lawmakers to change this. Senator Laura M. Murphy and Illinois music therapists advocated to establish a reimbursement code for music therapy services. As of late May 2024, the state of Illinois passed their new fiscal year budget that includes the reimbursement code for state insurance. This will go into effect July 1, 2025.

As a growing field, music therapy can be a wonderful option for you or your loved one as a creative art therapy. Reach out with questions or inquiries to find out if music therapy is right for you.

Lea