Music therapist : Job description

Music therapists use music creatively to help their clients address social, emotional or physical difficulties. They work with children and adults of all ages and social backgrounds and in a variety of settings.

Music therapists seek to establish an interaction - a shared musical experience - in the pursuit of therapeutic goals. These goals are determined by the therapist's understanding of the client's pathology and personal needs.

Music therapists support clients with a wide range of issues, including eating disorders, anxiety, behavioural and emotional difficulties, addiction and communication disorders. They also work with those who want to gain an insight into themselves and how they relate to others.

Typical work activities

Music therapy is based on the development of a relationship between the therapist and client, who communicate through music-making. Music therapists do not teach the client to sing or play an instrument. They work with clients either in groups or on a one-to-one basis.

Typical work activities include:

• agreeing therapy objectives with the client at the outset of the relationship;
• planning, reviewing and assessing therapy sessions to monitor effectiveness and to aid the planning of subsequent sessions;
• taking an active role in sessions by playing, singing and listening;
• encouraging clients to take part in the session, and supporting them by responding musically;
• encouraging clients to use a range of accessible musical instruments (such as percussion) and their own voice to express themselves;
• helping clients explore the world of sound and to create a musical language of their own;
• improvising with music as a reaction to what the client is communicating in order to enhance the individual nature of the relationship;
• recording therapy sessions, with the consent of the client(s);
• supporting the client’s creative development and facilitating positive changes in their behaviour and well-being;
• helping the client develop an increased self-awareness;
• assessing the musical and non-musical behaviours of the client;
• writing up case notes and reports.

Music therapists working in a clinical setting may spend a lot of time liaising with medical colleagues and other professionals engaged in the care of their clients. In other settings, for example when clients have referred themselves or their children, therapists may take a less formal approach to reporting back the client's progress.