What is music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical intervention used to help children and young people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability, including issues such as mental health problems, communication difficulties and challenging behaviour.
In music therapy, participants work with a wide range of instruments and their voices to reflect on and improve their emotional and physical wellbeing. Music therapy can help children of all ages and abilities, but is particularly beneficial when a child’s verbal skills are limited or when they are unable to make use of a verbal therapy due to distress.
Music therapists work in hospitals, special schools, nurseries and children’s centres. They might work in groups or with individuals, or together with parents and carers.
What do music therapists do?
Music therapists seek to develop a relationship with the children they work with through making music. Approaches will vary according to the age and abilities of the child. When working with pre-school children, music therapists work to promote the development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills – such as turn-taking – through a mixture of structured musical activities and improvisation. The therapist may use percussion instruments or well-known songs with words changed to suit the situation.
Working with adolescents may involve supporting them to compose music on a computer, write songs or raps or improvising on musical instruments. A music therapist can help young people address personal and wider societal issues, including their transition from childhood to adulthood.
What qualifications does a music therapist need?
Therapists must hold an approved post-graduate qualification in music therapy, a list of which can be found on the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) website.
To access one of these courses (two years full-time, three or four part-time), they must have a music-related degree, or a degree in psychology or education, along with excellent musical skills.
They must also have some work experience with relevant client groups. “You need to have worked with relevant clients, such as children with autism, in a caring capacity but probably not in a way involving music therapy, as the nature of the therapy means it is difficult to allow untrained people into the sessions,” says Sarah Gummett-Hart, qualified music therapist and BAMT spokeswoman.
Clinical placements with different client groups, including children and young people, are offered during training. Qualified music therapists must register with the Health and Care Professions Council and BAMT.
What skills does a music therapist require?
Apart from a high level of musical ability and knowledge of different styles of music, a music therapist requires an interest in psychology, excellent communication skills and emotional strength. Patience, flexibility, creativity and a non-judgmental attitude are key.
What are the hours and salary like?
Music therapy is typically a nine-to-five weekday job, although some positions may involve evening or weekend sessions. There are many opportunities for part-time and freelance work.
Employers include the NHS, schools and local authorities. According to the National Careers Service, music therapists can earn £25,500 to £34,200 a year, rising to £46,600 with experience. In the NHS, therapists start on band 7 (£30,460 to £40,157), with managers rising to band 8a (£38,851 to £46,621). The union Unite identifies four profiles for arts therapists, including music therapists, rising to head of arts therapy on band 8c-d. (£54,454 to £80,810).
What is the job market like?
There is a lot of competition for the few jobs that are advertised. Gummett-Hart says the best way forward can be for music therapists to make their own work: “When I qualified, a lot of my peers went out and made their own jobs, contacting schools and nurseries.”
Are any new policies having an impact on this sector?
Gummett-Hart suggests the development of 122 local music education hubs announced this year might provide opportunities for the development and promotion of music therapy. The Arts Council England initiative will see organisations, including schools and professional music organisations, coming together to create joined-up music education provision for children and young people.
FIND OUT MORE
- The British Association for Music Therapy was formed in 2011 by a merger between the Association of Professional Music Therapists and the British Society for Music Therapy. It circulates a monthly job bulletin, and its website holds information on training, bursaries and professional practice. www.bamt.org
- Music therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice. Its document Standards of Proficiency – Arts Therapists lists the required standards for therapists. www.hpc-uk.org
- The public sector union Unite represents music therapists
- The Youth Music Network allows a range of professionals, including music therapists, to exchange ideas and access resources. www.youthmusic.org
