WHAT IS A MUSIC THERAPIST?
A board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) must be certified by the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT) by completion of the following:
Graduation from an American Music Therapy Association approved academic program at the Bachelor or Master level, including clinical training and internship of 1,200 hours
Completion of a written examination of skills and competencies
Recertification every 5 years through examination or successful completion of 100 continuing education (CMTE) credits
Music therapists must demonstrate certain essential competencies. These include:
Clinical foundations: including exceptionality, therapeutic dynamics and therapeutic relationship
Music therapy foundations: including assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation, documentation, evaluation, interdisciplinary (treatment team) collaboration, supervision, closure and ethics.
Musical foundations: vocal, keyboard, guitar, nonsymphonic instrumentation, composing, arranging, conducting, improvisation and creative movement.