What Is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is the study and practice of how music affects people. It does not promote or require musical ability, but instead is a process of making, being affected by, and responding to music to address specific, desired outcomes.

“Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.” – Canadian Association of Music Therapists

Music Therapy is an allied health profession; and is used in health care, education systems, corporations, and private residences/agencies and to support individuals of any age or stage of life.

There are music therapy associations in Canada, the USA and throughout the World.

Music Therapists

Music therapists use music-centred interventions and counselling skills within the context of a therapeutic relationship to help clients achieve their health and wellness goals. Music Therapy is a professional scope of practice requiring university-level training and certification. In Canada, certification is identified with the credential MTA.

JB Music Therapists work in a variety of health and community-based facilities, spaces, and organizations as well as corporate settings and often collaborate with allied, medical, and holistic health care professionals.

What is the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta?

Music Therapists are currently in the process of being regulated under the College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta.

This is a new College that would govern the profession of counselling therapists, addiction counsellors and child and youth care counsellors under the Health Professions Act.