What education do music therapists have?
Music therapists must complete a four year degree at an American Music Therapy Association-approved college, followed by a six month internship supervised by a practicing music therapist. After completion of coursework and internship, the national board certification exam must be passed in order to practice music therapy. Qualified music therapists have the MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) credentials after their name. Where do music therapists work? Music therapists are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, psychiatric centers, schools, hospices, drug and alcohol programs and long term care facilities. Some music therapists are self-employed and work on a contractual basis. What does a typical music therapy session involve? Each music therapy session is unique as it is designed particularly for the individual. A session always begins with a brief assessment of the patient’s needs, musical preferences and background, since music therapy has been shown to be most
