Music has a magical effect on humans more than any other art form. Music has a positive effect in some way on everyone who listens to it. Humans normally associate music as pleasant and soothing from a very young age. It starts from the newborn stage where the mother sings lullabies to her baby to calm him down and put him to sleep.
In the past, music has been used to treat people suffering from mental disorders and illness at the time of Hippocrates but has gained recognition in recent times.
Music Therapy is an intense therapy that uses music to help people better their well-being. It is an allied health profession that is used to heal people and address their physical, cognitive, social and psychological needs.
A career in Music theory is challenging, full of opportunities and offers exciting rewards to interested candidates who are passionate about music and interested to work with people of all ages with disabilities.
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Who is a Music Therapist?
A Music Therapist is a creative arts therapist who uses art like music to treat mental disorders, provide support and care for individuals with disabilities and promotion of wellness, personal growth with creativity.
They work with children to Alzheimer’s patients and people with abuse problems, brain injuries, physical and developmental disabilities. These experts tap into the non-verbal processes of patients to bring about emotional, physical and mental change by using techniques like relaxation and improvisation.
Skills and tasks of a Music Therapist
- To design a personalized program for individuals client based on their needs and modify the program if required.
- Should be willing to offer emotional support to clients and their families.
- Should be a music expert and use music as his tool to heal his clients.
- Great communication skills and the ability to connect with people of all ages.
- Must respond to medical emergencies of the client and be thoughtful and a good listener.
- Expertise in speech and language therapy, nursing, medicine and psychology.
Educational Path of Music Therapy course
- Bachelors in music therapy for high school graduates.
- Undergraduate equivalency in Music Therapy for students who have completed their bachelors in Education, Psychology.
- Masters in Music Therapy for graduates in the same field.
- Doctorate in Music Therapy for post-graduates in Music therapy.
- Online course for Bachelors Equivalency in Music Therapy for only students with Bachelors in music.
- Online course for Masters Equivalency in Music Therapy for graduates in Music Therapy.
Institutes offering music therapy courses in India
- Indian Association of Music Therapy, Delhi
- The Chennai School of Music Therapy, Chennai
- MET Institute of Alternative Careers (MET IAC), Mumbai
- Nada Centre for Music Therapy, New Delhi
- The Indian Institute of Medical Music Therapy, Chennai
- Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry
- The Music Therapy Trust, Delhi
Workplace of a Music Therapist
A flexible workplace with standard office working hours along with clients. The settings can be prisons, hospitals, schools, daycares, nursing homes, senior centres, rehabilitation centres, community agencies. The common places are working with people dealing with trauma, development disabilities and aged people.
The office can be in a music room, home, private space or a huge therapy room consisting of musical instruments like guitars, drums, keyboards.
Safety is the important element of the music therapy workplace that has to be ensured for the client’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Salary of a Music Therapist
Many factors like location, qualification, business and experience play important role in determining the pay scale of a music therapist.
A fresh graduate of music therapy earns Rs 10k- 15k a month while therapists with prior experience may earn an average of Rs 20k-Rs 25k and much more.
Future Outlook and Career prospects
In recent times, urbanization and digitization of humans are going on which is taking a toll on their health and as a result, people are suffering from stress and mental illness. Individuals are also thinking about how to be ahead of their peers and be on top in this competitive world. This fast-paced world is having an adverse effect on mental health. To reduce this unseen burden of stress, phobias and disorders, new and innovative therapies has come into existence. People have become aware of Music Therapy and its magical benefits which has increased the demand for Music Therapists.
Government Agencies have also started to see the importance of music therapy which has increased the employment opportunities of music therapists. These experts are employed in special education programs, pain and stress management clinics, treatment centers for oncology etc. Government funding is also expected to increase in future. Music therapy can be seen as the dominant among other therapies. It is a highly rewarding career option with many opportunities.
– Samiya Firdous
