Music Therapy
Promoting a Lifetime of Learning Through Music
Definition:

The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as "the use of
music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and
social needs of individuals".  Music therapists work with individuals of all ages and in a
variety of settings, including psychiatric centers, rehabilitative facilities, medical
hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving
developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, substance
abuse facilities, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional
facilities, halfway houses, schools, wellness programs and private practice.


Who is qualified to be a music therapist?

Music therapists are expected to maintain national board certification. Board
certification is indicated by the letters MT-BC following the therapist's name. "MT-
BC" stands for "music therapist-board certified". This credentialing process
indicates that the music therapist has:
  • graduated with a degree in music therapy from a university program approved
    by the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA)
  • completed an approved 1000+ hour internship
  • passed the national competency exam given by the Certification Board for
    Music Therapists (CBMT).

In order to maintain this credential, music therapists must take a required amount of
continuing education courses or retake the national exam every five years. For more
information on the credentialing process, please visit AMTA at www.musictherapy.
org or the CBMT at www.cbmt.com.
Crescendo Music