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, September 2020)
The focus of a Music Therapist in a care home setting is to adjust to the residents own personal needs through the residents’ own processes of self-discovery and in supporting their own quality of living. This process is guided through the use of music therapy interventions in group and private sessions for a wide range of purposes including emotional wellbeing, spiritual validation, social engagement, neurological and physical rehabilitation (in special circumstances), and assisting or supporting someone in a new living environment.
At Hawthorne, Music Therapists may be referred by the health care team for a specific need or outcome, but a process is in place upon admission into the care home through assessment, planning, and implementation with the collaboration of the Department of Therapeutic Services.
Education and Training
Accredited music therapists, MTA, complete a Bachelor or a Graduate Certificate in music therapy and a 1000-hour supervised clinical internship.
University Education: University coursework consists of supervised clinical fieldwork placements and the academic study in the areas of music therapy research, music, and psychology.
Internship: Following the completion of a university degree in music therapy, the music therapist in training completes a 1000 hour supervised internship. During the internship, the music therapy intern consolidates their knowledge and skills in music therapy, develops competence with one or more clinical populations and gradually assumes the full range of responsibilities of a professional music therapist. Upon completion of an internship, graduates are eligible to take the CBMT* Exam and after passing this exam, can apply for MTA Certification signifying they are qualified to work in the field and will adhere to the CAMT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. *Certification Board of Music Therapists: www.cbmt.org
Continuing Education: The education and development as therapists does not end with the completion of accreditation. MTA must maintain their credential every five years through the CAMT continuing education process. MTA thus are continually seeking to advance the theoretical and practical application of music therapy techniques.