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In a nutshell, Musical Therapists are credentialed professionals who have completed an accredited or approved music therapy program and who plan, organize, and/or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities which are designed to influence patients' psychological or behavioral status in a positive way.
Music Therapists work with everyone from children and the elderly, to Alzheimer’s patients, clients with substance abuse problems, physical disabilities, brain injuries, and mental health problems. They use musical performance, lessons, songwriting and music listening as therapy to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs of individuals of all ages, thus improving the quality of life for everyone, while also meeting the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to promote wellness, alleviate pain, manage stress, improve communication, enhance memory, and provide unique opportunities for interaction.
Music Therapists work in a variety of settings, from addiction recovery centers and hospice, to special education programs and adult schools. They will often partner with doctors, nurses, speech therapists, counselors, and physical therapists to help their clients reach their goals.
Important Knowledge, Skills & Abilities for a Musical Therapist
Individuals wishing to enter the field of music therapy must earn an undergraduate degree (BA) and pass the national certification examination. Most degree programs include general education coursework that includes the sciences, psychology, and languages. Individuals wishing to further their education can apply to graduate school and obtain a MA degree or a doctoral degree that combines music therapy with related areas of study. Graduate degrees in Music Therapy focus on advanced clinical practice and research.
Students earning a music therapist degree are also required to take a number of music classes including music history, theory, and performance, and many will choose an instrument concentration like voice or piano. Students will also be required to study music therapy. This includes coursework relating to psychology, as well as laboratory training and fieldwork, which involve working with an established music therapist.
All Music Therapists must pass a certification exam from theCertification Board for Music Therapists, pass the exam every five years or take recertification credits. Successfully passing the exam will give you the designation, Music Therapist- Board Certified (MT-BC).
Learn more abouthow to become a music therapist.
Certification for a Musical Therapist
In order to practice as a music therapist in the US, the Certification Board for Music Therapists must certify you. The board sets an objective standard of professional competency. By passing the national examination, music therapists demonstrate their ability to provide quality services to clients. Note: At present, most states do not require music therapist to be licensed.
Knowledge
Skills & Abilities
Job Outlook and Employment Projections for Music Therapists
As of May 2022, the BLS says recreational therapists (including musical therapists) make a median annual salary of$51,330. The highest earning 10% make upwards of $84,410. Recreational and musical therapists working in physicians’ offices have the highest average salary ($84,770) while psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals employ the most of these types of therapists.
Therapists reporting the lowest annual salaries generally worked part-time, with those reporting the highest earning working an average of 40 to 50 hours per week. Working evenings and weekends is not uncommon; however, many therapists keep a Monday through Friday schedule.
Therapist work in a variety of sectors, including: psychiatric and medical hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, day care and treatment centers, residences for developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, substance abuse facilities, senior centers and nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practices.
Ways To Increase Your Job Prospects as a Musical Therapist
Organizations:
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forrecreational therapistsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.
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