Common questions, honest answers
What Is Music Therapy, Anyway?
A. Music therapy is a healthcare profession that uses music to support goals like communication, emotional regulation, attention and learning, movement, speech, and connection. Sessions are personalized to the person and their needs.
A. It’s BOTH! It is research-based and it is also art, which makes music therapy a unique tool. Music therapy has been practiced in the United States for more than 70 years. Throughout this time, music therapists, educators, neuroscientists, doctors, and other allied professionals have worked together to understand how and why music positively impacts people’s lives. Now, music therapy is utilized in diverse settings, including schools, private clinics, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.
A. Music therapy can support a wide range of needs, including autism, developmental differences, auditory processing, learning differences, memory care, TBI, stroke, Parkinson’s, and more. If you are not sure whether it might be a good fit, feel free to reach out or explore the research at the AMTA fact sheets.
A. Music therapists are trained clinicians who use music intentionally (listening, singing, instruments, movement, and songwriting) to support emotional, cognitive, physical, neurological, and social goals.
They typically complete:
• a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in music therapy
• at least 1,200 hours of clinical training
• board certification
• continuing education every 5 years
Some music therapists also hold additional training or certifications (e.g., NICU, Neurologic Music Therapy, Nordoff-Robbins, Guided Imagery).
A. You can ask the therapist for a copy of their CBMT certification, or search the provider directory on the CBMT website. Note that having a music therapy or music education degree does not automatically mean someone is board-certified.
Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT)
Practical Questions
A. No… not at all. You do not need any music background to benefit from music therapy. The focus is on support, connection, and growth, not musical skill.
A. I work with children and adults, and I also support schools and facilities. Please see the “Sessions” page for details.
A. Sessions are personalized, usually 30–60 minutes, and may happen in schools, facilities, online, or sometimes at home. Please see the “Sessions” page for details.
A. Sessions are personalized. Depending on the person and the goal, a session may include:
🎼 Singing
🎼 Instrument play
🎼 Rhythm and movement
🎼 Improvisation
🎼 Songwriting
🎼 Sensory or motor-based music activities
🎼 Home program support when appropriate
We currently accept coverage through programs administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (such as Medicare and Medicaid), as well as approved Step Up funding programs. We also accept major credit cards and cash. Coverage eligibility may vary depending on your specific plan or program.
A. That is okay. You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. We can start with what feels hard right now and talk together about what kind of support may be helpful.
