Save the world with MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapy is an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health. In some instances, the client's needs are addressed directly through music; in others they are addressed through the relationships that develop between the client and therapist. Music therapy is used with individuals of all ages and with a variety of conditions, including:

• psychiatric disorders
• medical problems
• physical handicaps
• sensory impairments
• developmental disabilities
• substance abuse
• communication disorders
• interpersonal problems
• aging

Because music has been shown to effect portions of the brain, especially emotions and social interactions, music therapy has been showing promising results in the area of stroke recovery. Recent studies have examined the effect of music therapy on stroke patients, when combined with traditional therapy. One study found the incorporation of music with therapeutic upper extremity exercises gave patients more positive emotional effects than exercise alone. In another study, rehabilitation staff rated participants in the music therapy group as more actively involved and cooperative in therapy than those in the control group. Their findings gave preliminary support to the efficacy of music therapy as a complementary therapy for social functioning and participation in rehabilitation with a trend toward improvement in mood during acute rehabilitation.

It is also used to: improve learning, build self-esteem, reduce stress, support physical exercise, and facilitate a host of other health-related activities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_therapy

Music therapists are professionals in the field of music therapy who utilize responses to musical stimuli to evaluate the mental and even physical conditions in patients. They are also responsible for taking these evaluations and designing sessions for treatment which includes lyric discussion, song writing, music interpretation and other activities. Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practice.

There are several associations that are responsible for the support of music therapy and the certification of music therapists.

The Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT) is the only organization to certify music therapists to practice music therapy nationally. Since 1986 it has been fully accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Over 4,500 music therapists have attained the MT-BC credential, and now participate in a program of recertification designed to maintain or increase initial competence in the profession of music therapy.  

The American Music Therapy Association is the largest professional association which represents over 5,000 music therapists, corporate members and related associations worldwide. Founded in 1998, its mission is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings. AMTA sets the education and clinical training standards for music therapists. Predecessors to the American Music Therapy Association included the National Association for Music Therapy founded in 1950 and the American Association for Music Therapy founded in 1971.