Trained music therapists use musical performance, lessons, songwriting, and music listening as part of an integrative course of therapy to improve the client’s social, emotional, physical, and/or cognitive abilities.

They work in a range of settings, from addiction recovery centers to hospices to adult schools to special education programs. They partner with Nurses, Doctors, Counselors, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, Voice Therapists, and other professionals to help clients reach their goals.

Who Does a Music Therapist Work With?

Music Therapists work with all sorts of people, including:

• Children
• Elderly Alzheimer’s patients
• Clients with substance abuse problems
• Clients with brain injuries
• Clients physical and developmental disabilities
• Clients with mental health problems

Music Therapist Miya Adout MA, MTA told us music therapy helps “reduce anxiety, improve social and communication skills, increase self-awareness, and improve specific motor skills.”

“Music Therapists work with people as young as babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, to children with autism spectrum disorder, adults with mental health concerns, and those in end-of-life care,” she explains.

A Day In the Life of a Music Therapist

During a music therapy session, a Music Therapist may play an instrument and sing for the patient or they may turn on a recording of a song and sing along with it.

A therapy session can also involve songwriting and improvisation.

In whatever case, the patient is encouraged to participate by singing or playing an instrument the therapist has provided.

And a therapy session could be one-on-one or in a group therapy context.

When Kalani Das MT-BC (Director of Golden State Music Therapy) works with a patient, he sees it as a collaboration.

“You don’t learn a formula and just do it, you’re creating an answer together,” he told us.

A Quick History of Music Therapy

Music as a source of healing has been used for centuries, but in Western countries, it is a relatively new phenomenon that has grown in use and application since the 1950s.

As an academic discipline, music therapy has become more and more popular, especially in the US, where numerous colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs that allow the student completing the academic program and internship the opportunity to sit for the board certification exam (MT-BC) as a Music Therapist.

Today, clinical practice in music therapy is recognized as a viable treatment method for a wide range of diseases and disorders.

According to Rebecca Vaudreuil EdM, MT-BC, a Music Therapist’s salary can range from about $28,000 to about $70,000.

The average salary for a music therapist is about $81,702¹ per year.

Music therapy is not a high-paying profession, especially when compared to some other jobs in the medical field.

Where Do Music Therapists Work?

Music Therapists may hold down several jobs at:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Schools
• Private practice
• Nursing homes

Some music therapists teach part-time or even full-time at a college or university, and then oversee their students’ practicums or work part-time at a healthcare institution.

Whether working as a freelancer or in a salaried position, the experienced board-certified Music Therapist can expect to earn enough money for a middle-class lifestyle.

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While the academic literature in music therapy continues to grow and the number of board-certified Music Therapists is relatively high (10,000), it is not clear what the career outlook for music therapy is.

Vaudreuil said the demand is in fact growing.

“Music Therapists are becoming increasingly recognized for their contributions across medical and healthcare systems…as well as wellness settings,” she said.

One contributing factor to the growth of jobs and salaries may be the aging of the population, as elderly patients tend to have more health challenges that could benefit from music therapy.

Adout said as we see an increase in older adults, we will also see a “need for valuable services that improve their well-being, such as music therapy.”

Another variable in music therapy will be the possibility of insurance reimbursement, particularly for private practitioners, which, at this time, is extremely limited.

As the field continues to grow, it is anticipated that there will be more master’s level programs for advanced clinical practice and possibly more doctoral programs for those aspiring to become music therapy College Professors.

Further, as the World Federation of Music Therapy can attest, music therapy is increasing in more and more countries.

Here’s a typical path to becoming a certified music therapist…

Shadow or Intern With a Music Therapist

Before you decide to become a music therapist, you may want to consider shadowing or interning with a board-certified music therapist. This will give you a clear picture of what the career looks like and gives you the chance to ask any questions you may have.

Earn a Music Therapist Degree

You’ll need to earn a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Music Therapy. There’s no way to bypass this step.

Become Board Certified

Next, you’ll need to become certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to earn the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist – Board Certified), which allows you to start practicing music therapy.

A certified music therapist can then move into supervisory positions or university teaching and research roles.

Therapists who open a private practice can also charge their own rates, therefore making it possible to earn a higher income.

Getting Hired

You can get hired through an internship, by responding to job postings, or by calling care facilities and checking in with Client Services Directors.

In Kalani’s case, he got his first Music Therapy job because someone at an addiction recovery center found his website—so have a good website outlining your credentials, experience, and what makes you special.

To become a Music Therapist, you first have to be a proficient musician.

Learn Multiple Instruments

Many Music Therapists are competent on both guitar and piano, and also have some ability with percussion instruments. It’s also important to have some singing abilities and a commanding vocal presence.

Adout says to even get into a Music Therapy program, you need to be able to play an instrument.

Practicing music therapy requires the ability of the Therapist to think quickly and play instruments or sing, while observing and adjusting to accommodate the needs of the patient or group of patients.

Be Good With People

Das says you must understand that people – and people skills – are at the heart of this career.

“Try to research and understand what the career is, and have a passion for serving people,” he said.

Here’s the education and training required to become a music therapist:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy

You must attend a university with an accredited music therapy program, which will be a 4-year degree.

Or you can earn a 1- to 2-year graduate degree in music therapy ONLY if you have a strong academic background in music and psychology

Complete 1,200 Hours of Fieldwork

To become certified, you must complete at least 1,200 hours of fieldwork as an intern in a health or education-related setting.

Pass the Board Certification Exam

You must sit for and pass the board certification exam through the Certification Board for Music Therapy and document continuing education credits as required.

Master’s Degree in Music Therapy (optional)

You can also continue on to earn your master’s and doctorate in music therapy, but that is not required before you’re able to start practicing as a music therapist.

The American Music Therapy Association is the nation’s largest professional association, with over 5,000 Music Therapists in its ranks. The AMTA determines training standards for the industry.