Music Therapy is the use of clinical and evidence-based interventions to accomplish individualized goals. Before obtaining the MT-BC credential, music therapists must complete a degree in music therapy, 1200 hours of clinical training, and pass a national board certification exam.
Music therapists assess clients’ unique strengths and needs and then create musical interventions to address those needs and foster those strengths. We sing, play instruments, listen and move to music, and create music with our clients. Music is malleable, motivating, and enjoyable. It can be adapted to meet each client where they are to create a safe and authentic relationship and environment where clients can thrive.
Music therapy goals may include:
- Increasing social interactions, attention, and engagement
- Increase communication (verbalizations, gestures, vocalizations, AAC, etc.)
- Increase body awareness and coordination
- Increase self-regulation and self-advocacy skills
- Increase fine and gross motor skills
- Increase school readiness skills
- Increase executive functioning skills
- Decrease anxiety or pain
At Bridgeway, we offer individual and small group music therapy sessions for people of all ages and abilities or diagnoses. We also provide music lessons, ukulele group lessons, and social groups, which may be in collaboration with speech therapy. We offer teen and young adult theatre groups for ages 13 and up; they collaborate with speech therapy and may incorporate components of the Shakespeare and Autism Project.
For more information about music therapy, visit the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) website at www.cbmt.org and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) website at www.musictherapy.org.
As a National Roster Internship through AMTA, Bridgeway has trained more than 70 future music therapists since 2005. Click here for our Fact Sheet and Application. Please note this internship is for music therapy students who have completed their undergraduate coursework in music therapy from an AMTA-approved university program.
