Music therapist
Music therapists use music and sound to help improve people's emotional well-being, relieve stress and build confidence.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a music therapist you could:
- meet with clients of all ages, families and other professionals
- assess your client's needs, plan therapy goals and prepare for sessions
- use a variety of musical styles and instruments in client-led, group or individual therapy sessions
- monitor progress and have regular sessions with a senior music therapist
- write reports, make recommendations and keep confidential records
- clean and maintain instruments and order supplies
Working environment
You could work in a therapy clinic, in a prison, in an NHS or private hospital or at a school.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become self-employed and build up your own practice
- move into teaching music therapy
- become a senior music therapist and manage a team of therapists or music therapy unit
- move into academic research
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- knowledge of psychology
- knowledge of the fine arts
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
How to become
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
You'll need to do an approved postgraduate course in music therapy and then register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To get on a postgraduate course in music therapy, you'll usually need a degree in music.
However, you might be accepted if you have an education or psychology degree and you have a high level of music skill.
To apply for a postgraduate course, you'll need 1 or 2 years of paid or voluntary work experience in a health, education or social care setting.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You could do an Arts Therapists Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
You'll usually need a qualification and experience in art, drama or music to apply.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
- a degree in a relevant subject
More Information
You'll find it useful to have volunteering experience in health, education or social care.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through the The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips
You could do an introductory course in music therapy to get an idea of what this work involves.
The British Association for Music Therapy offers short courses. You might also be able to find courses at some music colleges and universities.
Your salary as a music therapist will vary. if you do not work for the NHS. The British Association for Music Therapy can give you advice on recommended rates of pay.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the British Association for Music Therapy for professional recognition, career development and to make contact with other therapists.
Further information
You can find more advice about careers and training in music therapy from the British Association for Music Therapy and Health Careers.
You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.