WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?
British Association for Music Therapy
"Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, which is delivered by
HCPC registered music therapists to help people whose lives have been affected by injury,
illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional,
cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs." (BAMT, 2019)
Australian Music Therapy Association
"Music therapy is a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing.
Music therapy is the intentional use of music by a university trained professional who is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Registered music therapists draw on an extensive body of research and are bound by a code of ethics that informs their practice." (AMTA, 2019)
Music is a non-verbal way to communicate and explore thoughts and emotions which connects cognitive (brain) function with physical (body) function, with auditory (sound) results. Many people can benefit from music therapy, including those affected by disability, illness or injury (BAMT, 2019) including neurological conditions, developmental disorders, emotional problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions or physical illnesses (NHS, 2019) and includes babies, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.
What is a Registered Music Therapist? Watch the videos from the Australian Music Therapy Association below to find out more...
Music Therapy is an evidence-based intervention performed by a HCPC registered music therapist (RMT) following HCPC (UK) and AMTA (Australia) standards of practice which encompass professional referral, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, documentation and celebration of music therapy services. Sessions are ethically responsible, culturally informed and community minded.
Music therapy goals include the following areas: