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FAQ
What is a Typical Therapeutic Music Session Like?
- The therapeutic musician is trained to assess the patient’s behavior, condition and communication ability in order to meet the patient’s immediate needs with appropriate therapeutic music.
- Music may be familiar or unfamiliar, structured (such as written tunes) or improvised, using rhythmic or arrhythmic tempos, depending on the situation and the patient’s needs.
- In working with the mood of a patient, the therapeutic musician may play music which falls into three types: merry, sad and soothing.
- Playing in different modes (Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian and Aeolian) is also helpful in meeting the patient’s needs.
How Are Therapeutic Musicians Trained?
There are three types of therapeutic musician training programs:
- classroom-taught,
- online with some on-site internship requirements
- self-paced independent study.
The following programs are accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (NSBTM). Students receiving certification through one of these programs have met a common set of minimum standards set by the Board which include an extensive curriculum, demonstrating musical proficiency and completing at least 45 hours of hospice/hospital internship playing at bedside.
All of these programs assign mentors* to work with new students.
- Music for Healing and Transition Program
- Clinical Musician Certification Course
- International Harp Therapy Program
- Bedside Harp
There are other therapeutic musician programs which are recognized locally by health care organizations in their parts of the country, but which for various reasons are not nationally accredited. Therapeutic musician training programs affiliated with the NSBTM include
- GentleMuses in Boston, Massachusetts (www.gentlemuses.org/)
- HealthCare Harps Institute, LLC in Alta Loma, California (www.healthharp.com/)
- Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy in Macungie, Pennsylvania (www.vibroacousticharp.com/)
*MHTP has changed terminology to” advisors” and “individual practicum” to avoid confusion (as many expect internships to provide supervisors on –site).
**Excerpts from the National Standards Board of Therapeutic Musicians Presentation Planner available at www.nsbtm.org