The therapist works with a variety of patients, both children and adults, who may have emotional, physical, mental or psychological handicaps. By using music creatively in a clinical setting, the therapist seeks to establish an interaction, a shared musical experience and activity leading to the pursuit of the therapeutic goals determined by the patient's pathology. It can be applied to all age groups, in a variety of treatment settings.
Music has a non-verbal quality but offers a wide opportunity for verbal and vocal expression.
As a member of a therapeutic team, the professional music therapist participates in the assessment of client needs, the formulation of an approach and program for the individual client, and then carries out specific musical activities to reach the goals. Regular evaluations assess and ensure program effectiveness. The nature of music therapy emphasizes a creative approach in work with handicapped individuals. Music therapy provides a viable and humanistic approach that recognizes and develops the often untapped inner resources of the client. Music therapists wish to help the individual to move towards an improved self-concept, and in the broadest sense, to develop each human being to their own greatest potential.