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What is Music Therapy?

 

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. Basically, music therapists are highly trained professionals who use music as a tool to help people reach non-musical goals.

Music Therapists' Education

 

In order to become a music therapist, one must complete an AMTA approved music therapy degree program focusing on music, psychology, human biology, and how they relate. One must earn 1,200 clinical hours, including a 1,040 hour post-graduate internship program. One must pass the national board exam, earn the MT-BC credential, and maintain 100 continuing education credits every 5 years.

Who do Music Therapists Serve?

 

Because music therapists' required education is so vast and diverse, music therapists are uniquely qualified to work with people of all ages and diagnoses! Music therapists help people "from womb to tomb", for a variety of needs, including physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, functional, communicative, and social needs.

Is Music Therapy a New Field?

 

Because music therapy has been highlighted in the media more recently, more people are hearing about music therapy for the first time, thus assuming it's an "emerging" field. Music therapy actually dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome! Physicians prescribed music to balance the "humors" of the body, but, in the United States, music therapy has been an established health profession since the 1940's. Post-war, early music therapists helped veterans re-integrate to civilian life. Since then, music therapy has grown to include 88 collegiate degree programs and over 8,000 board-certified music therapists. 

How many therapists work for Palmetto?

We currently have 6 MT-BC's on staff!

I'm interested. How do I get music therapy?

Send us a message so we can set up a free consultation! If you are not local, click on the "find a therapist" tab on www.CBMT.org to search for a board-certified music therapist near you!

Where can I get more information on music therapy?

Check out the free resources and informational tabs on the American Music Therapy Association's website, www.musictherapy.org

Music Therapy FAQ's


How long are music therapy sessions?

Session lengths range between 30 and 60 minutes depending on need, frequency, and therapist. At Palmetto, our standard sessions are 45 minutes long.

How frequent are music therapy sessions?

Again, this depends on need, but our standard sessions are once per week.

How are music therapy sessions paid for?

Depending on the clients and the setting, our services are paid for privately, through grants, by facilities, with discretionary funds, by fundraisers, or by donations. 

 

How much do music therapy services cost?

Every practice sets their rates based on location, experience, and expertise. On average, music therapy services are competitively priced with related services, like occupational, physical, and speech therapies.

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