Dear AMTA

Defining Music Therapy

The next problem taking over the listserve right now is a debate between two VERY active philosophical types. How do we define an undefinable profession?

Here is the AMTA definition:

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (American Music Therapy Association, 2010).

I find myself explaining what music therapy is through the AMTA definition - which is very vague - and then through examples of what music therapists do in their sessions. The AMTA definition is never sufficient to illustrate what we do with clients. I find that examples provide a clearer picture of what music therapy is and can be...

Why is it so difficult to define our profession?

Part of the problem is that music therapists have vastly different job responsibilities, therapeutic aims, and techniques. There are many schools of thought about why music is a therapeutic modality, how music works, and what music should do and be in the therapeutic environment.

The complexity of this profession is what makes it interesting.

The complexity of this profession is what makes it difficult.

The complexity of this profession is what makes it so difficult to get along as professionals.

I am not sure if I agree that we cannot come to a common definition of music therapy, but it is true that our definition will have to be vague enough to satisfy all schools of thought and clinical practices. The definition has to include the three parts of the therapeutic triad - client, music, and therapist, but it could be written in a way that allows for the differences and similarities between all music therapists.

How is this for a try:

Music therapy is a profession where a trained professional applies various aspects of music and musical behavior to assist clients towards the achievement of nonmusical goals.

Blech. This is not an easy exercise.

The three elements of a music therapy session are the important part of what we do. We, as music therapists, must have a client. The client has to be the focus of the therapeutic intervention in every therapist's session regardless of therapeutic philosophy. We appear to forget that important person when we try to define music therapy. The client is alluded to in the AMTA definition, but not the focus.

Here is another try:

Music therapy is a treatment modality where a trained therapist assists each client in achieving nonmusical treatment goals in a variety of domains through the use of music and musical elements. Focusing on the client, the therapist develops a personalized treatment regimen centers around music performance, listening, and awareness.

Better, but not there yet...

This is quite a conundrum. Anyone out there have a good definition? Anyone want to join the conversation??