Music therapy is the use of clinical and evidenced-based music in a therapeutic environment by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. 

To be a board-certified music therapist, a person must complete a music therapy program at an approved university, complete a 6-month internship, and successfully complete a board-certification test. In addition, they must earn at least 100 continuing education credits every 5 years to maintain their board-certification status. 

A Music Therapist Has...​

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• Completed coursework in music (music theory, conducting, arranging, music history, composing, ear-training, sight-singing, etc.)

• Completed coursework in psychology (general psychology, abnormal psychology, childhood development, statistics and analysis, etc.)

• Completed coursework in music therapy (assessments, documentation and data analysis, intervention planning, termination planning, the clinical applications of music, anatomy and physiology, and how the brain responds to music)

• Demonstrated proficiency in guitar, voice, and piano minimum (most music therapists play many other instruments!)