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WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

hands of older adult playing piano music therapy

"Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears...it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more-it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity."

~Dr. Oliver Sacks, neurologist and author

United States Senate Committee 

Hearings on Music & Aging

What Music 

Therapy Is:

• Use of music to work on needs and strengths


• Individualized intervention   

addressing functional and wellness goals


• Led by a board certified music therapist (MT-BC)


​ Evidence-based, dignified, clinical, and creative


• Promotes constructive skills, behaviors, thoughts, feelings


• Enhances quality of life and well-being


What Music 

Therapy Is Not:

• ​Listening to music


• Beneficial only for clients in a good mood


•Only for people with musical skills 


•For the sake of activity, boredom, entertainment, education


A music performance or concert


•One-size-fits-all


•Music activities led by someone not board certified in music therapy (MT-BC)


What Music 

Therapists Do:


• Assess, create treatment plans, and evaluate progress 


• Combine creative processes, physiological knowledge, and therapeutic approaches


• Collaborate with clients, carepartners, and other professional team members


• Adhere to national standards of the Certification Board for Music Therapy (www.cbmt.organd the American Music Therapy Association (www.musictherapy.org)

Interested in learning more about music therapy services?

Get in touch with us!

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