Frequently Asked Questions

Music therapists use music as a therapeutic tool. Sound may not be visible, but listening to, creating, and responding to it has real effects on how we think, feel, move, communicate, and engage with the world. Music can influence our attention, emotions, movement, arousal, and physiological responses in ways that have been studied across psychology, neuroscience, and related fields.Music therapists use this knowledge intentionally. They consider musical elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, tempo, and volume, as well as each person's needs, preferences, and responses, to shape musical experiences that support functional goals. Music therapy often looks different than what we initially imagine. Sessions can look playful, simple, and spontaneous to an outside observer. These approaches are intentional and guided by clinical training, scientific evidence, and ongoing adaptation to client needs.

People of many ages, strengths, and support needs can benefit from music therapy. Our therapists compiled a resource that provides an overview of common reasons for referral, along with examples of clinical goals and music therapy applications. Explore the resource below to learn more about who may benefit from services.

Music has long been part of healing, community, and cultural practices around the world. Music therapy, as it exists today, is an allied health profession that developed its distinct clinical identity through inquiry across fields including psychology, medicine, rehabilitation, and neuroscience. Today, a growing body of research examines music therapy across populations, settings, and clinical goals.Want to explore the research for yourself? Start with the scholarly resources below, browse publications from journals like the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, and the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, or search PubMed.Explore a few selected articles:Rhythm and Music for Promoting Sensorimotor Organization in Autism: Broader Implications for OutcomesLaGasse, Yoo, & Hardy (2024)An accessible overview of research on rhythm and autism, including perspectives from autistic self-advocates and discussion of sensorimotor, social, and communication outcomes.Systematic Review of Music Therapy and Musical Interventions for Patients with Moderate and Severe Mental DisordersCassola et al. (2024)A systematic review examining research on music therapy and musical interventions for adults with moderate and severe mental disorders, including outcomes related to anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms.Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsLu et al. (2025)A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials examining music therapy for dementia, with findings related to cognitive function, depression, and anxiety.Culturally and Trauma-Informed Music Therapy: Approaches for School Settings Illustrated Through Descriptive Cases from Norway, the United States and South AfricaMurphy, Krüger, Stuart-Röhm, Thorn, & Berry (2026)An exploration of culturally responsive and trauma-informed music therapy in school settings, with case examples from three countries that highlight youth agency, connection, and emotional expression.

Whether traditional music instruction is included in music therapy sessions wholly depends on an individual's clinical assessment, goals, strengths, and interests. For some people, learning an instrument is an effective way to support skills such as attention, emotional expression, communication, or motor coordination. For others, interventions like singing familiar songs, songwriting, improvisation, music games, movement to music, or music listening are a better therapeutic fit.The primary goal of music therapy is always therapeutic benefit and honoring client interest, rather than musical performance or technical skill. For more information on the difference between music therapy and music education, click the button below.

You do not need any musical experience, training, or performance aptitude to participate in and benefit from music therapy. Music therapy is more about the process of connecting and growing through music rather than the pursuit of a polished final product.

Music therapists absolutely encourage people to use music in their everyday lives. Personal music listening, lessons, sound baths, live music, and other music-based experiences can all positively impact your life. What makes music therapy different is the clinical training and intentional application behind how music is used. Music therapists are trained at the collegiate level to consider how biological, psychological, social, and present-moment factors can shape a person’s response to music. They continually assess and adjust their approach based on the individual and the clinical goal, rather than selecting music based solely on whether it seems enjoyable. For example, what may be considered “calming” music for one person may bring up traumatic memories or cause overstimulation for another. Other professionals may incorporate music into their work, and there are many valuable ways to do so. However, the MT-BC credential does reflect specific education, clinical training, and professional credentialing requirements designed to support safety, accountability, ethical practice, and an ongoing commitment to research. These standards help distinguish music therapy as a clinical profession and protect music therapy service users -- without claiming that music itself belongs to music therapists. To learn more about becoming a music therapist, read our other FAQ, “How do I become a music therapist at Creative Vibes?”