What do music therapists do? Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development. (Canadian Association for Music Therapy, 1994) What happens when music therapy services are provided at Baycrest? Music therapy sessions are different depending on who is receiving the services. After completing an assessment, music therapists use aspects of music to help clients accomplish their goals and lead fulfilling lives. You do not need any musical talent or previous experience with music to benefit from music therapy. Possible music therapy interventions include: Singing Playing instruments Listening to music Moving and/or dancing Writing songs Improvising Discussing and analyzing lyrics/music Using relaxation and/or imagery techniques Music therapy qualifications Music therapists have completed undergraduate and/or graduate-level training. Following a 1,000 hour supervised internship, music therapists go through an accreditation process with the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT), the national governing body for music therapy. Once the accreditation file is accepted the music therapist receives the designation of MTA: Music Therapist Accredited. Learn more about music therapy at Baycrest here.