By Felicity Stocker

MUSIC THERAPY

Overview• Trained therapists try to break through issues and problems that people may have by working with them and choosing particular music, which could instigate emotion, and hopefully with the chance of helping the patient through something or resolving recurring issues.• Music Therapy can also be another platform that means that the therapist can interact the patient on another level where in some cases; the patient is unable to communicate with words.

More on Music Therapy• There are many reasons as to why music therapy is used and on many different people with a diverse range of problems.• As I am particularly interested in how music therapy can help with mental health, it is shown from research that music therapy is a viable option even for patients who have been resistive of other methods of therapy or who have not responded well.• Research shows that it is effectiveness in many areas such as, physical rehabilitation, facilitating movement, providing emotional support for patient and families and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.

How it works• The way that music therapy works is that therapist will interact both will listening activities, making of music or discussing the music. This is in aid of provoking emotions or supressed issues that have caused further destruction in a person’s life.• Examples of results from music therapy are as follows; reduced muscle tension, Increased self-esteem, Increased verbalisation, enhanced inter-personal relationships, Increased motivation, and successful and safe emotional release.

Education required• From sitting a bachelor’s degree, music therapists are then asked to take a further exam to gain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist- Board Certified) to then practise professionally.

Salary• The average salary for a music therapist is $41,000

Example of Profession• Although not a professional Music Therapist, James Rhodes has found the way music has made a difference to mental health very interesting.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtEIlYLVSE8• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZnqpRHHj_Q • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwTJU8ga1zQ

Opportunities for this career• Music Therapists can practise in schools, hospitals, mental health units and are able to run their own practises.

Dangers within this career• Therapy is always an interesting matter as it can depend on the patient on how they respond. This can mean that the patient may be dissatisfied if it turns out that this specific method is not successful with them, this could result in the patient demanding money from the therapist and potentially sueing.• Another danger, on the physical aspect and particularly with regards to mental health, is that is the therapy is not successful at first or at all, the patient could find this frustrating and turn to violence•With Music therapy not being the most popular form of therapy, this could mean that the therapist is not getting clients and therefore losing money

Music Elements•Within this job, knowledge of music is crucial. The therapist is able to manipulate sounds and be aware of how different genres and sounds can affect a person and the way that the therapy is going.

Help Wanted Advertisement• Music therapist needed for work in mental health hospitals• Bachelor’s degree needed w/ an additional MT-BC• 4 hours a week• $60 per session• Deadline- 2/10/2013

Works Cited• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/wellbeing/health-benefits-of-music.htm• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/10177651/James-Rhodes-Out-of-the-concert-hall-and-back-into-the-asylum.html• http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/MT_Mental_Health_2006.pdf • http://www.indeed.com/salary/Music-Therapist.html