Music Therapist

Music therapists use music creatively to help their clients address social, emotional or physical problems. They work with a variety of clients of all ages and social backgrounds and in a variety of settings. Music therapists seek to establish an interaction - a shared musical experience - in the pursuit of therapeutic goals.

These goals are determined by the therapist's understanding of the client's pathology and personal needs. Music therapists support clients with a wide range of problems, which may include eating disorders, anxiety, behavioral problems, stress management, and dealing with the effects of abuse. Music therapy is based on the development of a relationship between the therapist and client, who communicate through music-making, either in groups or on a one-to-one basis.

Typical work activities include: agreeing objectives of the therapy with the client at the outset of the relationship, recording therapy sessions, with the consent of the client(s), reviewing and assessing therapy sessions afterwards to monitor effectiveness and to aid the planning of subsequent sessions, taking an active role in sessions by playing, singing and listening.

Encouraging clients to take part in the session, and supporting them by responding musically, encouraging clients to use musical instruments, such as percussion and voice, to express themselves, helping clients explore the world of sound and to create a musical language of their own, improvising with music as a reaction to what the client is communicating.

Facilitating positive changes in the behavior and wellbeing of the client, encouraging non-verbal communication. Additional work activities include: planning and reviewing each session, assessing the musical and non-musical behaviors of the client, writing up case notes and reports.

Music therapists working in a clinical setting may spend a high percentage of their day liaising with medical colleagues and other professionals engaged in the care of their clients. In other settings, for example when clients have referred themselves or their children, therapists may take a less formal approach to reporting back the client's progress.