7 Truths About Music Therapists - An April Fool’s Day Reflection

Written, very seriously, by Alecia M. Meila, MM, MT-BC… with her most serious, non-humorous expression, being so for real, as the kids say.

This is a very super serious topic, everyone. Everywhere I go, when I tell people I am a music therapist, they say “What’s that?” or “That sounds like so much fun!” or “It must be so nice, just singing all day!”

Forget everything you’ve heard before about music therapy. I’m here to tell you the real scoop about what it is.

1. Music therapy is singing songs all day and making people feel good.
   My life mimics that of a Disney princess.

2. A music therapist is someone who fixes instruments.
   I do this a lot more than you’d think.

3. When I say I’m a music therapist, I mean to say “musical therapist”
   I counsel Broadway shows when they close. Musicals need therapists, too!

4. Music therapy is just as good as listening to the radio!
   Except without the commercials. But I do get paid for singing songs and making people feel good (see #1).

5. Treatment plans are written in sheet music
   Because no one reads them except other music therapists, anyway.

6. At least 87.32614% of each session is listening to relaxing music
   Every session is practically a calm spa day

7. Clients must pass a singing exam to start services.
   We are very super duper serious about pitch accuracy here. Singing on pitch cures 99.99% of life’s problems… probably?

So there you have it. Seven truths that no serious music therapist would ever want you to be confused about.

After all, we definitely spend our days strumming a guitar, singing cheerful songs, and magically fixing everyone’s mood in three easy choruses. No training required. No clinical goals. Just vibes.

…Right?

April Fool’s!

In reality, music therapy is a research-informed clinical profession practiced by trained and credentialed therapists. Sessions are designed around individualized therapeutic goals, whether that’s communication, emotional regulation, motor skills, cognitive development, social connection, or quality of life.

Music therapists complete specialized academic training, supervised clinical internships, and credentialing, and they use music intentionally as a tool for treatment. That might include improvisation, songwriting, movement, structured listening, instrument play, or other music-based experiences tailored to each client.

And despite popular belief, clients do not need any musical ability to participate. The therapist adapts the music to the person, not the other way around.

So while there may be guitars, drums, singing, and the occasional enthusiastic tambourine… the work behind it is thoughtful, evidence-based, and deeply focused on helping people meet meaningful goals.

But if you still picture us spending all day singing “Kumbaya,” we’ll forgive you.

It is April Fool’s Day, after all :)