Canadian Association of Music Therapists
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Music Therapy Fact Sheet
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (Music Therapist Accredited/ Musicothérapeute accrédite) 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.
Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (Music Therapist Accredited/ Musicothérapeute accrédite) 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.
How is music therapy used?
Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social and spiritualdomains.
Who is CAMT and what do they do?
The Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) is a not-for-profit organization that works to promote the practice and research of music therapy; increase national awareness on the topic and increase the opportunities for clients to access high quality
music therapy services.
What are the requirements to become a music therapist?
To become an accredited music therapist (MTA), the following requirements must be attained:
- Be a member in good standing with CAMT
- Successfully complete a minimum bachelor of music therapy degree at a CAMT recognized institution
- Complete a 1000-hour clinical internship underthe supervision of a CAMT-Approved MTA Supervisor
- Pass the Certification Board of Music Therapists exam administered in the USA
- Sign a Statement of Adherence to the CAMT Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice
What does a music therapist do?
To meet the needs of their clients, MTA’s tailor programs by incorporating two types of interventions: active and receptive.
Active therapy involves both the client and music therapist creating music with instruments, their voices, etc. Receptive therapy involves the music therapist playing music while the client listens and completes other tasks depending on their goals. The goals of these programs are to improve the health and quality of life for clients of all ages and abilities.
To meet the needs of their clients, MTA’s tailor programs by incorporating two types of interventions: active and receptive.
Active therapy involves both the client and music therapist creating music with instruments, their voices, etc. Receptive therapy involves the music therapist playing music while the client listens and completes other tasks depending on their goals. The goals of these programs are to improve the health and quality of life for clients of all ages and abilities.
How many MTAs are there in Canada?
There are 730 MTAs across Canada.
Where can you go to school to become an MTA?
There are five CAMT-recognized music therapy education programs across Canada. They include:
• Acadia University – Nova Scotia
• Canadian Mennonite University –Manitoba • Capilano University – British Columbia
• Concordia University – Quebec
• Wilfrid Laurier University – Ontario
Where can you find music therapists?
MTAs can work with many populations and can be found in the following settings:
• Hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, private practice. correctional centres, mental health facilities, schools, community programs and addiction centres.
Music Therapy FAQ
What are the benefits of music therapy?
Music therapy has presented many benefits to its clients such as:
- Improve communication skills
- Improve self esteem
- Facilitate learning and processing of complex emotional issues
- Promote independent mobility
- Provide alternative forms of self expression
- Decrease agitation
- Manage pain
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Facilitate rehabilitation
Who can I contact for more information?
If you’re looking for more information about membership, conferences, job opportunities and more,
contact CAMT at 1.800.996.CAMT (1.800.996.2268),
info@musictherapy.ca or visit www.musictherapy.ca