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What does a music therapist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Music therapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses music to develop the relationship between clients and the therapist, and to support clients' wellbeing and ability to interact. It can be particularly useful for clients who have difficulties with communication or who find it overwhelming to try to express their emotions verbally. Music therapists may work on a one to one basis or lead sessions with groups.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

assessing clients' needs

planning and providing appropriate music sessions

actively participating in music sessions and encouraging clients to do the same

exploring a variety of musical styles and sounds with clients through singing, percussion, ethnic instruments and improvisation

maintaining records and case notes

reporting progress to families, carers, relevant agencies or professional staff

Therapists work with adults and children who are affected by a range of conditions:

Depression

Anxiety

Physical, psychiatric or neurological disorders

Learning difficulties

Dementia

Autism

Behavioural or emotional problems

NHS trusts

Local education authorities

Local authority social services departments

Hospitals

Day or health centres

Residential homes

Nurseries

Special schools

Prisons

Many music therapists work as private practitioners.

Music therapy is a small profession and there is strong competition for jobs. Most opportunities that come up are part time or temporary contracts. Vacancies are advertised in newspapers and publications such as the Times Educational Supplement and Community Care, and on the NHS jobs website. TheBritish Association for Music Therapy also lists vacancies on its website.

You do not necessarily need an undergraduate music degree to become a music therapist. However it is necessary to complete a postgraduate education and training course in music therapy that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You cannot practise as a music therapist unless you are registered with the HCPC. Postgraduate music therapy courses typically take two years full time or three to four years part time.

While you do not need to be a music graduate, musical proficiency is required and an audition is a standard part of the application process for music therapy postgraduate courses. You may be expected to have an undergraduate degree or professional qualification in a field such as social work or teaching if you do not have a music degree.

Relevant experience prior to postgraduate study is normally essential. This may not be related to music, but is likely to involve professional experience of a role involving caring for vulnerable people. Music therapy may not be a first career choice, and many people enter the profession later in life.

Maturity

Excellent interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Musical ability

Intuition and creativity

The ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds

The ability to deal effectively with challenging situations

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What does a music therapist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills Music therapy is a form of psychological therapy that uses music to develop the relationship between clients and the therapist, and to support clients' wellbeing and ability to interact.

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Music therapists work with children, adults or the elderly, assessing a patient's mental or physical disorders and disabilities before developing a therapeutic treatment plan.