What do music therapist do exactly while in session?
To practice music therapy professionally, you need official certification through a university that offers it as a degree plan. You will also have to complete an internship, after which you will have an opportunity to take an exam given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. I would recommend visiting the American Music Therapy Association’s website (www.musictherapy.org) to get more information on that. If you are thinking about practicing music therapy informally, it all depends on what kind of patients you have and what your goals are. Are you simply looking for a fun activity for mentally retarded children, or are you interested in treating bipolar disorder with it? If you are trying to find a means for treatment, you definitely need to seek formal education and training in music therapy. If you’re just interested in using music during ‘playtime’ for patients, then seek advice from other therapists you know in the area. I hope this helps, and good luck with your career!
A typical session—group or individual—may be structured like this: Opening or greeting song—signals that the session is starting Sing along song—involves the client in the music-making process and promotes relaxation and breathing Dance or movement activity—initiates the client physically with the session Sing along song—keeps the client focused while relaxing from the physical task Percussion improvisation—establishes a basic, rhythmic musical activity Sing along song with hand motions—combines musical focus, rhythm, and motion Musical improvisation piece with client-friendly instruments—encourages the client to experiment and to explore their creative selves CD listening task, such as “Name that tune” or “Name that artist”—challenge a client’s memory, and cognitive and processing abilities Sing along song—relaxes the client while maintaining focus Closing or good-bye song—signals the end of the session Based on the age and needs of the client, a session runs a minimum of 30 minutes (
