What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements to help people cope more effectively with their lives and difficulties. The goal of Music Therapy is to develop each person’s potential (not promote their musical ability) through emotional, spiritual, social, cognitive, communicative, physical, and musical means.
Who are Music Therapists?
The title of Music Therapist Accredited (MTA) is held by a Music Therapist who has successfully graduated with a degree in Music Therapy, passed the Board Certification Exam, consistently meets the requirements of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT), and abides by the CAMT Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Music Therapy helps people with:
- Developmental and language delays
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
- Anxiety/depression
- Genetic and movement disorders
What can Music Therapy achieve?
Music Therapists assess, develop, and evaluate clinical goals and objectives in consultation with each student, their family, and the school’s staff (therapists, teachers, and support staff). Some objectives include:
- creating a healthy outlet for identifying and expressing feelings
- developing self-awareness and insight
- Increasing self-esteem/positive mood
- Developing communication
- Increasing social interactions and exploring group dynamics/bonding
- Behavior management
- Promoting relaxation
- Developing attention span
- Increase independence by following instructions in routines
Typical Music Therapy sessions may include, but are not limited to:
- singing and instrument playing
- listening to music
- music-related games/activities
- song composition
- lyric analysis (oftentimes, verbal facilitation will happen after the music to increase awareness)
If you would like more information on Music Therapy, you can visit The Music Therapy Association of British Colombia’s website (https://mtabc.com/) and The Canadian Association of Music Therapy’s website (https://www.musictherapy.ca/).