It is a discipline which combines the use of music with the personal qualities of the therapist as a treatment for rehabilitating, maintaining, and improving the lives of persons with emotional, cognitive, social, spiritual, psychological and physical needs.
Music has the following inherent qualities and is therefore, a valuable therapeutic tool.
A music therapist is a graduate of a music therapy degree program approved by the Canadian Association for Music Therapy. Training includes extensive academic and experiential coursework, clinical experience, supervised practicums and a 1000 hour supervised internship. A music therapist is a person with strong musical talents and abilities, a dedication to the study of music and its functional adaptations for influencing changes in behaviour, and a commitment to assisting people toward healthy life adjustments. We assess and develop clinical goals, programming and interventions in consultation with clients, families and other team members. Click on one of the populations in the table below to learn more about the effectiveness of music therapy with different populations' needs and abilities.