What Music Therapy Is Not

In recent years, I have met several people who contacted me seeking music therapy for themselves or for a family member. Some of them, when asked whether they had previously participated in a music therapy session, answered yes. However, when I asked for details about the session, it became clear that it was not music therapy.

Training in Music Therapy

The first point to consider when looking for a music therapy professional is to verify whether they have completed university-level training in music therapy, either at bachelor’s or master’s level, at a university recognized by the Ministry of Education and with a curriculum approved by the Brazilian Association of Music Therapy (UBAM).

In recent years, some music therapists and I have shared the slogan “Music therapy only with music therapists” on social media. I would like to clarify that this does not aim to diminish the work of other professionals who use music in healthcare contexts, but rather to emphasize that safe music therapy requires a professional who truly understands what they are doing.

After all, when we go to the dentist, we expect to be treated by a qualified professional — not by an assistant.

Using Music as a Therapeutic Resource

Of course, music itself can provide health benefits. Who has never listened to music when feeling sad and noticed that it helped express emotions, or danced to a joyful melody? Music can evoke emotions and sensations.

Because of these effects, professionals from various fields — such as speech therapists, psychologists, physicians, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists — may use music as a resource in their therapeutic processes. However, these professionals are not practicing music therapy.

Just as a scalpel can be used by different professionals in their practices, only those trained in neurosurgery are qualified to use it properly during brain surgery.

In the same way, the most qualified person to use music therapeutically is someone trained specifically in music therapy.

Difference Between Music Therapy and Music Education

It is important to highlight the differences between music therapy and music education, as these are often confused.

Music therapy focuses on health, disease prevention and comorbidities, rehabilitation, and health maintenance.

Music education, on the other hand, refers to learning a musical instrument, reading musical notation, training listening skills, expanding cultural knowledge, and artistic performance.

Music education works more consciously and actively with musical elements, whereas music therapy involves a therapist–client relationship, theoretical foundations in health and music, and a process that begins and ends when therapeutic goals are achieved.

Use of Music in Hospitals

One of the most common uses of music in hospitals is bringing musicians to play for patients. Although serious and meaningful work is carried out in many countries, often with remarkable results, this is closer to a hospital concert than to a music therapy process.

For these reasons — and many others — it is extremely important to verify the professional’s training before starting any type of intervention in which sound is used as a therapeutic resource.