Music Therapy As Career Choice

ChihChen Sophia Lee, Ph.D. MT-BC

Director of Music Therapy

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

What is Music Therapy?

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 (AMTA, 2005)

Work Settings Served by Music Therapist

Developmentally Disabled

14%

Medical Setting9%

Mental Health Set-ting19%

Elderly & Alzheimer's

9%

All Others44%

Neurological Disorders

5%

Source: AMTA 2010Member Sourcebook, p.215

Age Groups Served by Music Therapist

Pre-natal

Infant/Children

Pre-teen

Teens

Young Adults

Adults

Mature Adults

Seniors

Source: AMTA 2010 Member Sourcebook, p.217

What Music Therapists Do

Providing Music Therapy Services and interdisciplinary programming (Co-Programs)

Coordinating with other disciplines for clients’ treatment/care plan

Therapeutic assessment, evaluation, and consultation

Recreational music programmingExtra duties as assigned (ex. Marketing,

etc.)

Areas of Concerns Addressed in Music Therapy

CommunicationCognitive/Academic SkillsSensorimotor/Motor SkillsEmotional SkillsSocial SkillsMusical Skills

Personal Characteristics for Music Therapists

Good Musician & Good Therapist!Good physical healthEmotional stabilitySincere interest in helping othersAccept that rewards in a helping profession

are intangible

Job Advancement for Music Therapists

Activity Coordinator/DirectorActivity TherapistAdjunctive TherapistCase ManagerClinical TherapistCreative Arts TherapistDirector/Administrator/SupervisorExpressive Arts Therapist (University) Faculty

Job Advancement for Music Therapists (Continued)

Music EducatorMusic SpecialistMusic TherapistOtherQMRPRecreation TherapistRehabilitation TherapistSelf-employedSpecial Educator

Music Therapists’ Salary by Region (2010)

Region Salary RangeGreat Lakes $21,000-115,000

Mid-Atlantic $23,000-102,000

Midwestern $25,000-111,000

New England $30,000-120,000

Southeastern $30,000-120,000

Southwestern $25,000-97,000

Western $20,000-156,000

Outside the U.S. $20,000-125,000

Preparatory/Certification Process

Attending Music Therapy Programs Accredited by American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and National Association of School of Music (NASM)—4+yr. College

Complete appx. 1040 hrs. (6-month) Music Therapy Internship

Pass National Board Certification Exam for Music Therapists (Credential: MT-BC)

Academic Preparation Prior to Majoring in Music Therapy

Music (Major instrument, Keyboard/piano, Guitar, Voice, etc.)

Biology/physiologySocial studies/Psychology2nd language

For Further Inquiry About Music Therapy, Please Contact :

ChihChen Sophia Lee, PhD, MT-BCDirector of Music TherapySouth Western Oklahoma State University100 Campus Dr.Weatherford, OK 73096Tel: (580) 774-3218Fax: (580) 774-3714Email: Sophia.lee@swosu.eduSWOSU MT Website:

www.swosu.edu/music/therapy