Music therapy is a health care profession in which music is used in a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The term “music therapy” is not a description of a specific type of intervention. Instead, it lists the education, training, and credentials of the therapist delivering the intervention.

Music therapy can involve a variety of activities including music improvisation, music listening, songwriting, music performance and learning through music. Music therapists can work in many different settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, senior centers, rehabilitation facilities, or schools.

Some of the music-based interventions described in this fact sheet fit the definition of music therapy, but others do not. For example, music-based interventions that involve listening to recorded music are often delivered by health professionals other than music therapists (such as nurses) and therefore do not fit the definition of music therapy.

You can learn more about music therapy on the website for American Music Therapy Association.