WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

My Personal Philosophy:

Music therapy is the skilled, educated application of music by an accredited music therapist to achieve non-musical goals in each individual or group. These goals can range from simple daily coping skills to more complex social and emotional development to be able to interact with their world in a more positive way.

By carefully applying musical elements to tailored treatment and therapy programs, an individual can, over time, learn and develop new skill sets that will help them function and thrive in everyday life.

Children, adolescents, and adults can benefit from music therapy when implemented by a trained therapist who understands how to incorporate music into treatment programs.

According to the American Music Therapy Association,

"Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program."

According to the Canadian Association for Music Therapy,

"Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development."