Music Therapists

What Does a Music Therapists Do?

Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
• 2Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
• 3Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
• 4Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
• 5Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
• 6Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
• 7Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
• 8Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Monitoring
• Avid Technology Pro Tools
• Electronic health record EHR software
• Email software
• Microsoft Office software
• Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software
• Virtual instrument software
• Web browser software