Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Music therapy treatment is done by credentialed professionals who use evidence-based music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within the context of a therapeutic relationship.

Music therapists are credentialed professionals who have completed a 4-5 year degree program where they receive training in music, clinical skills, psychology, development and therapeutic approaches. They are required to complete 1200 hours of clinical experience before they are eligible to sit for a national certification exam, which provides them the title of a board certified music therapist (MT-BC).

Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. They then design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using research-based interventions such as music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. Music therapists adapt to meet each client’s needs as they creatively manipulate the modality of music to provide a safe space for individuals to grow.

Music therapists in hospice focus on the physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement needs of patients and their families. Below are examples of goals that could be addressed depending on individual needs. They do not represent all the possible goals, but they give an idea of what potential areas of focus could be.

• Distract from physical and/or emotional pain
• Decrease isolation
• Increase sense of belonging
• Increase emotional expression related to illness, grief and loss
• Provide an avenue for spiritual expression
• Increase quality of life
• Maintain sense of personal identity
• Increase sense of control

Music therapists may use the following to accomplish the above stated goals:

• Music listening
• Improvisation
• Singing
• Songwriting
• Music playing
• Music assisted reminiscence/life review
• Music/imagery for relaxation – with progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing
• Lyric analysis