What is Music Therapy?
By Alane J. Krumbine, MT-BC
Ms. Valerie*, a board-certified music therapist, arrives at Sophia's home. Together they walk quietly to Sophia's playroom just as they have been doing for the past year. Ms. Valerie sits down on the floor facing Sophia and opens her guitar case. At this point, Sophia begins reciting from memory the story lines of one of her favorite books. Although she does this out of her need to be comforted, she reveals no emotion.
Ms. Valerie acknowledges Sophia's recitation, but Sophia does not respond or seem to even hear the therapist's words. Ms. Valerie pulls her guitar out of its case and begins strumming a few chords of their special “hello song.” The little girl, indifferent up to this point, abruptly stops her reciting and reaches out to the guitar as she looks up and begins to sing along with the therapist. With her smile, Sophia indicates a sudden awareness of what will occur over the next hour. Sophia is now excited, engaged and ready for therapy.
Sophia is four years old and attends preschool four mornings a week. She has a diagnosis of “Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified” or PDD-NOS. This is a category of autism characterized by a severe impairment of social interaction and includes stereotyped behavior, interests and activities. The music therapist comes to Sophia's home to assist in educational goals that her school district and parents have deemed most important to Sophia's development. For example, Sophia has been learning to follow directions, answer questions and make eye contact. Over the past year, Ms. Valerie has addressed these goals in the sessions while also making their time together fun, enjoyable and motivating for Sophia through singing songs and playing instruments.
Although Ms. Valerie works primarily with children experiencing developmental disabilities, other music therapists, not only in the United States but internationally, work with children and adults with many other needs. The American Music Therapy Association, Inc., defines music therapy as “an established health-care profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and/or promote physical rehabilitation.” Music therapy is not the education or training of an individual on a particular instrument for the intention of musical ability, nor does an individual need to have a certain musical ability to benefit from music therapy.
Music therapy came onto the medical scene shortly after World War II. Musicians volunteered their time and services to play for war veterans suffering from emotional and physical trauma. Distinct improve-ments often were noted from these music interventions, and medical professionals determined that a focused college curriculum would be necessary to properly train people interested in doing such work. Today, music therapists earn a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree from an accredited college or university.
Training requires not only a thorough knowledge of music, but also an in-depth education in the behavioral, health and natural sciences, as well as training in oral and written communication. After completion of all course work, students enter a clinical internship and then maintain their Board Certification credentials through continuing-education training and exams.
Music therapists approach their practices in a wide variety of modes such as behavioral, improvisational, creative, psychoanalytical and more. An even wider variety of techniques and methodologies exist within these approaches as well. These can include, alone or combined, singing, playing musical instruments, music discussion, dance and movement to music, music listening, musical games, action songs, composing music, performance and songwriting activities.
Music therapy can be done at home or in a facility, hospital or school-based program for one or many individuals at a time and is paid for through county funding, Medicaid, school districts, grants/scholarships or private pay. During therapy sessions, which usually are scheduled on a weekly basis, the therapist addresses physical, social/emotional, cognitive, speech, relaxation/meditation and self-expression of the client.
Music is a non-threatening medium that a therapist can harness to connect and motivate a client toward self change. While singularly affecting different areas of the brain – such as the areas that control speech, movement, emotion and cognition – music therapy holds much potential, wide appeal and is success-oriented. Every person, in some capacity, has a preference, ability or an experience in which music relates to him/her. It is the job of the music therapist to discover that relationship and take it one step further to facilitate healing and growth.
*Names have been altered to protect privacy.
Alane J. Krumbine received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree from Ohio University and co-founded Music Therapy Enrichment Center, Inc.(MTEC) in 2001 with business partner, Jaime L. Alspach, also a graduate of Ohio University. MTEC therapists serve individuals of all ages and abilities in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Geauga and Portage counties. For additional information, please visit www.mtecincorporated.com or contact Alane directly at (440) 250-0091.
