2023 Maryland Statutes › Health Occupations › Title 2 - Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists › Subtitle 4A - Music Therapists › Section 2-4A-01 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Board certified music therapist” means an individual who:
(1)    Has completed the education and clinical training requirements established by the American Music Therapy Association; and
(2)    Holds current board certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
(c)    “Individualized music therapy treatment plan” means a music therapy treatment plan for a client that identifies the goals, objectives, and potential strategies for the music therapy services appropriate for the client using music therapy interventions, including:
(1)    Music improvisation;
(2)    Receptive music listening;
(3)    Songwriting;
(4)    Lyric discussion;
(5)    Music and imagery;
(6)    Music performance;
(7)    Learning through music; and
(8)    Movement to music.
(d)    “License” means a license issued by the Board to engage in the practice of music therapy.
(e)    “Licensed professional music therapist” or “licensee” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to engage in the practice of music therapy.
(f)    (1)    “Practice of music therapy” means the clinical and evidence–based use of music therapy interventions to accomplish individualized goals for individuals of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship.
(2)    “Practice of music therapy” includes:
(i)    Accepting referrals for music therapy services from:
1.    Medical, developmental, mental health, or education professionals;
2.    Family members;
3.    Clients;
4.    Caregivers; or
5.    Others involved with the provision of and authorized to provide client services;
(ii)    Collaborating with a client’s treatment team to review the client’s diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan before providing music therapy services to a client for an identified clinical or developmental need;
(iii)    Collaborating with a client’s treatment team during the provision of music therapy services to the client, including collaborating with and discussing the music therapy treatment plan with the audiologist or speech–language pathologist of a client with a communication disorder so that a music therapist may work with the client and address communication skills;
(iv)    Conducting a music therapy assessment of a client to collect systematic, comprehensive, and accurate information necessary to determine the appropriate type of music therapy services to provide for the client;
(v)    Developing an individualized music therapy treatment plan for a client that is based on the music therapy assessment;
(vi)    Implementing an individualized music therapy treatment plan that:
1.    Is consistent with any other developmental, rehabilitative, habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive, or wellness care or educational services being provided to a client; and
2.    Does not replace the services provided by an audiologist or a speech–language pathologist;
(vii)    Evaluating a client’s response to music therapy and the individualized music therapy treatment plan, documenting change and progress, and suggesting modifications, as appropriate;
(viii)    Developing a plan for determining when the provision of music therapy services is no longer needed in collaboration with a client, the client’s physician or another provider of health care or education for the client, an appropriate member of the client’s family, and any other appropriate individual on whom the client relies for support;
(ix)    Minimizing any barriers to ensure that a client receives music therapy services in the least restrictive environment;
(x)    Collaborating with and educating a client, the family or caregiver of the client, or any other appropriate individual about the needs of the client that are being addressed in music therapy and the manner in which the music therapy addresses those needs; and
(xi)    Using appropriate knowledge and skills, including research, reasoning, and problem–solving skills, to inform practice and determine appropriate actions in the context of each specific clinical setting.
(3)    “Practice of music therapy” does not include the screening, diagnosis, or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication disorder.