7 Misconceptions About Music Therapy
Written by Alecia M. Meila, MM, MT-BC
A few months ago, I wrote an article that went live on April 1 on “7 Truths About Music Therapists,” which was a tongue-in-cheek post where I poked fun at a few of the more extravagantly odd things I’ve heard about music therapy.
This post will cover a few real misconceptions people have about music therapy services, from perceived musical abilities required, to musings about how I can actually be replaced by a carefully-curated Spotify list, to the differences between music therapy and music education, and many more.
Misconception #1: Any Use of Music Can Be Music Therapy
While any music can have therapeutic benefits in general, music therapy is only therapy when provided by a board-certified music therapists (and who have the MT-BC credential after their name, which stands for Music Therapist-Board Certified). MT-BCs are trained to tailor therapeutic goals and interventions to your specific needs, using music as the vehicle for that change.
The most effective uses of music as therapy are goal-oriented and evidenced based.
Using music for yourself in a therapeutic manner versus receiving music therapy is the difference between a parent teaching their child how to speak, versus a speech therapist.
Misconception #2: Only People With Music Abilities Benefit From Music Therapy
No prior music training or abilities are required to benefit from music therapy! Music therapists are trained to guide our clients through their therapeutic growth, and only ask for their clients to participate, no prior experience needed. Participation, more than musical accuracy, is what makes music therapy (or any therapy) effective.
Misconception #3: Music Therapy Is Only For Children
Nope! Music therapy is effective for people of any age. The sessions may be structured differently, and we may utilize different interventions for the different needs of our clients, but music therapy can be beneficial at any age.
Sometimes it seems like this, because there are not many instances of people seeing music therapy in programs geared toward adults, such as in hospitals, elderly programs, or other places where adults receive services. This is often due to funding, as, while music therapy is considered a related service under I.D.E.A., and is a covered service through Medicaid, private insurance companies (including private insurance companies who provide coverage on behalf of Medicaid) do not often pay for music therapy services, and so it is difficult for many to access services if they are not able to privately pay.
If it seems unfair for access to be denied to people who would benefit from music therapy, consider writing to your state legislator. (For NJ residents, you can find information on that here: New Jersey Legislative Roster of Members | NJ Legislature )
Misconception #4: Music Therapy Is The Same As Music Lessons OR Music Therapists Are “Special Education Music Teachers”
The music education vs. music therapy question is one that sometimes results in unnecessary disagreements, because sometimes programs believe they can substitute one for the other, but education and therapy are different professions with different goals.
Music therapy uses music to address non-music goals, such as communication skill, academic needs, motor skills, and social-emotional needs.
Music education is the teaching of music skills, such as note reading, aural (listening) skills, music theory, and playing an instrument, with the goal of improving music skills.
They have different goals in mind. Adapted music lessons, like the ones we offer at Riverstone Therapies, are an in-between service: the person wishes to learn a music skill, but has learning/physical needs that must also be addressed, and are beyond the training of a music educator to address. (Please note, this is not meant as a derogatory comment toward music educators. We just go through different vocational training programs!)
Misconception #5: Music Therapy Is Only For Relaxation
Music can have relaxing properties, and can be used for relaxation, like we do in our Music and Mindfulness class that we will be offering this coming fall. But music therapy can also be lively, dynamic, expressive, and LOUD. Music therapy can also be very emotionally intense, just as any traditional talk therapy session may be, as we help our clients develop coping and regulation skills, process through emotions, and address healthy communication skills.
Misconception #6: Music Therapy Is Only For People With Developmental Disabilities
Music therapy can be utilized with any clinical population, including but not limited to: stroke patients, individuals with rehabilitative needs, acute care hospital patients, veterans, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with learning disabilities, individuals in addiction recovery programs, individuals in prison, domestic abuse survivors, and individuals with mood or other mental health diagnoses, among many other populations not listed here.
Misconception #7: Any Musician Can Be A Music Therapist
I wasn’t sure whether to include this or not, but it is an important distinction. Therapy, like teaching, requires its own skill set. A person can be a very good musician, but would not make a very good therapist. The difference between a performer and a therapist often boils down to where the person’s musical focus is.
As a performer, the focus is on you, providing the best performance and bringing people into your world of musical creation.
As a music therapist, the focus is on the other person, providing an environment in which you both create the music space, and the therapist reaches into the other person’s world to meet them there.
On paper, it seems like a simple thing, but in reality, it’s an incredibly different mindset.
And there we go! Seven misconceptions about music therapy. Did I miss any? If you have any questions about music therapy, you can chat with us on Facebook, Instagram, or even LinkedIn!
