Recently, out of curiosity, someone asked me if their child could help me out in anyway-if he could go and sing to patients for me if I had too many. They went on to say, “All you do is sing to patients.” This person was not intending to diminish the work I do, but genuinely did not understand. It was wonderful to be able to educate about music therapy and the training we receive.

This person was surprised to know that music therapists use music intentionally to address physical, emotional, and spiritual goals of our clients. We have a 4 year Bachelor’s degree, 1200 clinical training hours, and sit for a national board certification exam in order to receive our credentials, MT-BC.

My patients/clients are my “conductors”. Through music, we develop a relationship, and I bring music experiences to them that I believe will help shift and or change their mind/body/spirit in order to achieve health/wellness/symptom goals. Sometimes that does mean I’m singing–but never singing “to” them; or “at” them; I’m singing WITH them–with whatever they are bringing to the session that day.

Are you interested in the potential of music therapy? This video showcases how I used a preferred song to implement a spiritual relaxation experience for a patient experiencing pain and nausea.