I'm a Music Therapist

“So, what is it that you do?”

As a music therapist I get this question from time to time. And it’s a fair question to ask if you’ve never been exposed to music therapy before. Answering this question, however, can be challenging. I often mention drumming and singing, songwriting and discussion, but these are the obvious parts of my work. Explaining the subtleties of what a music therapy session holds requires a deeper conversation than these causal questioners usually expect.

I found myself making a similar mistake of underestimating the work of musicians last week. I was at an Ingrid Michaelson concert and the backup keyboard player caught my eye. From what I could see, he spent the first opening songs playing a few one-handed chords and appeared very laid-back about being up on stage. “I could take his place”, I thought to myself. As the concert went on, I realized the wrongness of my assumption. The keyboardist went on to play accordion, trumpet, and percussion. Seeing this musician in his element, it was easy to forget the discipline, years of practice, and versatility required of a session musician.

I think music therapists are faced with the same shallow assumptions. At times, what we do seems like it can be done by a volunteer with a guitar and a songbook. Observers of a session don’t always hold a nuanced appreciation because music therapists are professionals. It’s our job to assess clinical needs, plan appropriate interventions, and keep things running smoothly for our clients’ benefit.

Music therapists sing, play multiple instruments, transpose on demand, play be ear, compose original music, read/notate music, and have a vast repertoire of music at their fingertips. I monitor individual responses while engaging groups of up to 40 people and tailor session discussions to the personal histories of 70+ older adults with whom I work weekly.  And what about when things go wrong? Interruptions, group dynamics, limited equipment, individuals’ needs, and customized music are things I juggle on a daily basis. Because my focus is on my clients, I can respond and change the direction of the music and topic mid-session when needed.

Though a music therapist may specialize in one population, we are certified to work with many types of clients because these skills translate across clinical settings. We hold degrees and have at least 1200 hours of clinical training before sitting for the required board certification examination. Music is a music therapist’s tool. Because music is so multi-faceted and complex, music therapists are trained to harness these elements for the best interests of our clients. Versatile only begins to cover what I do.