Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

promote wellness

manage stress

alleviate pain

express feelings

enhance memory

improve communication

promote physical rehabilitation

According to the American Music Therapy Association (2010), »music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.

Other applications/interventions also may include:

Song discussion

Song stories

Music legacies

Music and movement

Music with other expressive arts

Music therapists can work with a wide range of populations and in diverse types of facilities.

Music therapy can be used with individuals with:

Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

Mental health needs

Substance abuse problems

Physical disabilities

Chronic or terminal illnesses

Alzheimer’s Disease/dementia

Autism

High risk pregnancies/Maternity

Other

Facilities where a music therapist might work include:

Medical Hospitals

Schools

Nursing Homes/Assisted-living Facilities

Mental Health Facilities/Behavioral Stress Units

Pediatric or Neonatal Units

Physical Rehabilitation Units

Correctional facilities

Private Homes

Students must complete a minimum of 1200 hours of music therapy clinical training, with approximately 200 hours in pre-internship field experiences and 1000 hours in a National Roster or University-Affiliated Internship (approximately six months full-time). A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or Music Therapy Equivalency program) in music therapy also is required, with a curriculum which includes: applied music study, music history, music theory/aural skills, and ensembles music therapy courses (including clinical skills, research, and music psychology), anatomy/physiology, psychology courses, dance/movement and other related courses.

Completion of academic and internship requirements leads to eligibility to take the board examination. Passing the examination leads to entry-level credential MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) awarded by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

Jordy Novak, MM, MT-BC, Visiting Assistant Professor
Valparaiso University
1709 Chapel Dr.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-464-5431
https://www.valpo.edu/find-your-major/music-therapy-major/

Melissa Heffner, MM, MT-BC

Music Conservatory

1800 Lincoln Avenue

Evansville, IN 47722
mh602@evansville.edu

812-488-2880
http://www.evansville.edu/majors/music/degMusicTher.cfm

Tracy Richardson, MS, MT-BC, Director of Music Therapy
Larisa McHugh, PhD, MT-BC, Coordinator of Music Therapy Equivalency Distance (MTED)
Conservatory Building
St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
(812) 535-5145 or (812) 535-5154
https://www.smwc.edu/academics/departments/music-theatre/

Rebecca Findley, MM, MT-BC,  Assistant Professor, Music Therapy
Indiana Wesleyan University Department of Music
4201 S. Washington St.
Marion, IN 46953-4974
call 1-800-332-6901, ext. 2152
https://www.indwes.edu/academics/cas/division-of-music/index.html

Debra S. Burns, PhD, MT-BC, Director of Music Therapy (Faculty Advisor)
IU School of Music
IT Building, Room 379
535 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-2014
http://music.iupui.edu