What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the skilful use of music and musical elements by a music therapist to promote, maintain and restore mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has non-verbal, 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.

Canadian Association for Music Therapy, May 6, 1994

What training is required to become a Music Therapist?
A music therapist is an accomplished musician, able to play several instruments (including piano and guitar), to sing and to improvise in a variety of styles. Music Therapists must complete a four-year honours bachelor degree at an accredited University, followed by a 1000-hour internship under the supervision of a music therapist accredited through the Canadian Association of Music Therapy (CAMT). Studies include music theory, harmony, conducting, music history, solo and ensemble playing, as well as courses in human development, symptoms and needs associated with people who have a variety of disabilities and illnesses, and of various treatment approaches and modalities. Music therapists are trained in observation, assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment. Grounding in the theory, research and practice of music therapy and psychology is necessary to provide individuals and groups with effective therapeutic services.

What can I expect from the music therapy process?
Music Therapy can be conducted in group or individual settings.

Group Music Therapy
During group music therapy the initial sessions provide opportunity for the therapist to assess group dynamics and individual needs within the group setting. Throughout the initial sessions the therapist will be observing the cognitive, social, emotional, physical areas of functioning of group members as related to musical responses. This assessment period may take up to 3 sessions and will provide a baseline for future music therapy sessions. Based on the information obtained from the assessment, as well as input from the staff, families or consulting professionals (i.e. speech-language pathologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapists), the music therapist formulates non-musical goals and objectives for the music therapy sessions (i.e. to improve eye contact, to improve articulation). The music therapist prepares and implements a group treatment plan using music as the catalyst to promote change and achieve the chosen goals. The music therapist continuously evaluates the group's progress towards goals, and written progress reports/recommendations can be provided upon request. Group sessions are generally held for 45 to 60 minutes, once a week. Music therapy groups are generally limited to 6 participants, however larger groups may be possible if there is additional staff present to assist the therapist.

Individual Music Therapy
Individual music therapy begins with a music therapy assessment, where the therapist evaluates cognitive, social, emotional, physical areas of functioning as related to musical responses. The assessment provides a baseline for future music therapy sessions and the client is provided with a written copy of the assessment report. Based on the information obtained from the assessment, as well as input from the client/family or the client's treatment team (with informed consent), the music therapist formulates non-musical goals and objectives for the music therapy sessions (i.e. to improve eye contact, to improve articulation). The music therapist prepares and implements an individualized treatment plan using music as the catalyst to promote change and achieve the chosen goals. The music therapist continuously evaluates the client's progress towards goals, and written progress reports/recommendations are provided. Individual sessions are generally held for 30 minutes, once a week, but can also be extended to 45 minutes or 1 hour depending on attention span and benefit to the client.

How is music used therapeutically?

Singing
- helps people with speech impairments improve articulation, rhythm and breath control.
-helps people with dementia to remember significant events in their lives
-can be used to assist with task analysis and sequencing
-playing instruments
-improves gross and fine motor coordination
-helps develop self-reliance, self-esteem and self-discipline
-enhances social interaction
-provides an immediate success experience

Rhythmic movement
-facilitates range of motion, mobility, agility, balance, co-ordination
-rhythm increases motivation, interest and enjoyment in tasks
- Improvising
-offers creative, nonverbal means of expressing feelings
-offers an opportunity to make choices and work with structure in a creative way
-provides non-verbal social experience by practicing leadership and turn taking skills

Composing and Song writing
-develops cooperative learning
-facilitates sharing of feelings, ideas and experiences
-promotes confidence and self-esteem

Listening
-develops cognitive skills including attention and memory
-stimulates thoughts, images and feelings which can be further examined and discussed

How is music therapy provided to the community?
"Harmony is" provides both group and individual music therapy for clients. Individual sessions take place at the music therapy studio located in Milton. Harmony is happily works with other professionals in the community to provide music therapy groups for individuals with disabilities. Music therapy has been provided in conjunction with Speech and Language pathologists, offering groups for children with speech and language goals, as well as Day Programs and Groups Homes through Community Living Mississauga, Community Living Oakville and Community Living Burlington.

For more information about music therapy services, please contact "Sommer Johnstone", (owner/music therapist) at Harmony is, (905)-875-6867, [email protected]

Information is adapted from the CAMT website www.musictherapy.ca