MUSIC THERAPY:
Get "The REAL Thing!"
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The profession of music therapy was established in 1950, with the founding of the National
Association for Music Therapy. In the fifty years since, this association and its successor,
the American Music Therapy Association
, have defined the profession. They have achieved this identity for the profession
by encouraging and coordinating research, by setting strict standards for the training of
music therapists, and by establishing uncompromising standards for effective music therapy
practice.
The profession of music therapy combines:
- skills, competencies, and expertise acquired in over fifty years of experience;
- a solid and formidable research base which documents the efficacy of music therapy procedures;
- therapists trained to interact with clients using a wide variety of active and passive music-based techniques; and
- a Standards of Clinical Practice and a professional Code of Ethics.
Competent and qualified music therapists hold professional certification through the
Certification Board for Music Therapists
(CBMT). Music therapists holding this certification
use the initials "MT-BC" after their names. Professional certification in music therapy is
established by examination and maintained by required professional continuing education.
Since the term "music therapist" is not copyrighted or trademarked, it is easy for a person
who does not have all the requisite skills and knowledge to call him/herself a "music therapist".
It is not uncommon that facilities or agencies will claim to offer "music therapy" services
when they, in fact, do not employ or contract with a board-certified music therapist.
When seeking to hire a music therapist or to contract for music therapy services, look
for a person who holds the "MT-BC", the credential that identifies a music therapist
who possesses the requisite knowledge and skills, and who has documented them by examination
and ongoing continuing education.
For more information about finding qualified music therapists, check the following websites:
This information maintained by Michael E. Clark, Webmaster of the Southeastern Region, AMTA
Last Updated: October 18, 2007
If you have comments or suggestions, contact Michael E. Clark at:
contact@ser-amta.org