The ability and need to respond to music is innate and usually unimpaired by mental and physical health challenges. Certified music therapists work with people of all ages facing a range of challenges. At Baycrest, music therapy is offered in both the Hospital and Apotex, in both individual and small group settings. No musical ability or training is needed to receive or benefit from music therapy, and sessions can be provided in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. Baycrest music therapists welcome interns from training programs approved by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists.

What is music therapy? 

Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.

Canadian Association of Music Therapists
www.musictherapy.ca

What are a music therapist’s qualifications?

Certified music therapists (MTA) have completed undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in music therapy, a 1000-hour supervised clinical internship and a certification exam. After passing the Certification Board of Music Therapists exam, they receive the MTA (Music Therapist Accredited) credential signifying they are qualified to practice music therapy and will adhere to the CAMT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. In order to maintain their MTA credential, certified music therapists must complete continuing education hours and report them annually to the CAMT. In Ontario, music therapists can also register to be part of the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO). 

What happens in a music therapy session?

Music therapists use various active and receptive techniques according to the needs and preferences of the residents or patients. These techniques include, but are not limited to:

·     Singing

·     Playing instruments

·     Listening to music

·     Moving to music and/or dancing

·     Songwriting

·     Legacy work

·     Improvising

·     Discussing and analyzing lyrics/music

·     Relaxation and/or music and imagery

 What are the benefits of music therapy?

Music therapy can help with a wide range of challenges and needs. Music therapists design and facilitate individualized music experiences with these challenges and needs in mind. This is what differentiates music therapy from entertainment. Benefits might include:

·     Increasing self-expression

·     Improving communication

·     Increasing mobility and motor function

·     Enhancing social skills and interaction

·     Increasing relaxation

·     Improving or maintaining cognition and memory

·     Personal development

·     Increasing alertness and sensory stimulation

·     Exploring and resolving personal issues

“Music Therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort – between demoralization and dignity.”

~ Barbara Crowe (past president of the National Association for Music Therapy)

“Music is part of being human”

~Dr. Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia

 Resources:

The Canadian Association of Music Therapists www.musictherapy.ca

Voices: A world forum for music therapy  www.voices.no

Music Therapy Association of Ontario  www.musictherapyontario.com

World Federation of Music Therapy www.musictherapyworld.net