Music Therapists

What the job really is

Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1129
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Apply selected research findings to practice.
• Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
• Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
• Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
• Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
• Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
• Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
• Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
• Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
• Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
• Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
• Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Office software, Acoustic guitars, Autoharps, Automatic blood pressure cuffs, Avid Technology Pro Tools, Bass drums, Cellos, Compact disk CD players, Computer laser printers, Digital audio recorders, Digital video cameras, Electronic health record EHR software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Art Therapists
• Recreational Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Music Therapists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.