MYTH BUSTERS
1. Only people who are ‘musical’ can take part in music therapy
A person can’t become a music therapist without being a pretty good musician to begin with, and yes– sometimes my group music therapy sessions are entertaining. However, entertaining and performing are not the primary purposes of a music therapist in a therapy session.
In one day, I have gone from providing songs from a Classical Guitar piece for one client to playing jazz improvisation on a flute with another to singing children’s songs for an inter-generational group but NOT as a PAID PERFORMER.
That’s an extremely large repertoire of musical styles and abilities that not many performers/entertainers would have at their fingertips.
Music therapists aren’t better or worse than professional musicians– we just use music differently. We do not perform at request and we do not continue to play music as a performer would do.
2. Music therapy is only used to calm people down ie when listening to a CD/ Sound Bath, Gongs
For it to be considered music therapy, a music therapist would need to evaluate your physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs along with your music preferences and your responses to different styles of music.
Then the music therapist would make suggestions and work with you to find the kinds of music that elicit the desired responses from you.
A music therapist assesses the client’s needs, makes a specific plan using music to address those needs, and continually evaluates the effectiveness of that plan– it’s an active process.
The difference is that "Therapeutic music" may be a passive process– you listen/receive the music (like at a concert or listening to a CD or a sound bath or a gong session) and feel an improvement, but you don’t have to do anything (except sit there or turn the CD player in).
4. Music therapy is only for children
All styles of music are useful in effecting change in a patient’s life. The music therapist determines the genre of music that will help their patient the most.
5. Music therapy is only for people with dementia
Music Therapists work with individuals of all ages, from prenatal to end-of-life, Parkinson's, neurodiversity, brain injury, cancer, adoption, strokes, age is not a barrier - across various settings, including clinics, hospitals, hospices, homes, community centres, and educational institutions with students with an EHCP.
6. Music therapy only takes place in groups
Music therapy can take place in hospitals, schools, private clinics, and private homes.
Music therapists need high musical proficiency and focus on specific goals tailored to clients.
Sessions involve carefully planned musical experiences based on assessments of individual clients' needs. Therapists work with diverse musical genres and skills, showcasing versatility and depth of musical knowledge.
7. Music therapy is the same for everyone
Music therapists must possess a high level of musical proficiency and concentrate on individualised holistic goals for their clients.
Sessions consist of meticulously planned musical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques that are designed based on assessments of clients' holistic requirements. Therapists engage with a wide range of musical genres and techniques, demonstrating their versatility and extensive musical expertise.
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