What is music therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. In other words, music is used to help clients achieve their goals.

What does music therapy look like?

After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the music therapist helps clients achieve their goals through singing, dancing, songwriting, lyric analysis, music-assisted relaxation, musical games, and more. Each session is adapted to the client’s needs on a moment-to-moment basis, so no session will look exactly the same.

Who can benefit from music therapy?

Individuals of all ages can benefit from music therapy. It has been used in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, rehab centers, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, schools, and more. Musical talent or skills are not required to participate!

What does the research say about music therapy?

Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for the expression of feelings.

Additional resources

American Music Therapy Association website: www.musictherapy.org 

Have more questions? 

Contact Melia Adams, MT-BC: (314) 275-0962 or madams@compasscc.org

To sign-up for music therapy, click HERE to complete our intake form.