The Historical Origins of Music Therapy
The music therapy can be traced back to World War I. Volunteer musicians performed music in veterans’ hospitals to relieve physical pain, inspiring musicians, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists to systematically study music as a therapeutic tool for physical and emotional needs. In 1944, the world’s first university music therapy program was established in the United States. During World War II, music therapists also used music interventions to provide effective treatment for soldiers’ physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, ushering in the beginning of music therapy as a professional field that combines both art and science.
And Now,
music therapy becomes allied health team members
According to the World Health Organization’s 2010 guidelines, music therapy is recognized as a specialized allied health service alongside other professional healthcare teams like speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists. Music therapists must be professionally trained, internationally certified, and licensed to practice. Through the application of music, clinical skills, and evidence-based research, music therapists build therapeutic relationships with clients to enhance their social, emotional, communication, cognitive, psychological, and physical abilities.
Music therapy isn’t a lesson —
it’s a clinical solution!
combining
Professional Practice, Interventions,
and Group Benefits.
A Board Certifited Music Therapist
is a Clinical Professional with Advanced University Degree,
Registered with National Music Therapy Association
Strictly Adheres to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
Music therapists focus on serving individuals or groups with special needs, or those who have not benefited from other treatments. We assess, plan, and implement music therapy programs to daily life to activate the brain and enhance multisensory integration. It allows multiple participants in a group to work toward various therapeutic goals together, increasing engagement and treatment effectiveness.
According to the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University and the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research in the UK, music therapy has been shown to improve social communication in children with autism and enhance quality of life for people with dementia (1)(2).
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In addition, several large clinical studies funded by the US National Institutes of Health indicate that music therapy can significantly help with anxiety, depression, and neurorehabilitation (such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease) (3).
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In 2022, a systematic review from Taiwan analyzing 12 randomized controlled trials also found that music therapy effectively reduces pain for cancer patients during surgery or medical procedures (4).
（1）Nordoff, P., & Robbins, C. (1977). Creative Music Therapy: Individualized Treatment for the Handicapped Child. John Day Company.
（2）Wigram, T. (2004). Improvisation: Methods and Techniques for Music Therapy Clinicians, Educators, and Students. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
（3）Windle, G., Joling, K. J., Howson-Griffiths, T., Woods, B., Jones, C., van de Ven, P. M., ... & Orrell, M. (2020). The impact of music interventions on health and well-being: A systematic review. Perspectives in Public Health, 140(5), 282–290.
（4）Chai, P. R., Carreiro, S., Innes, B. J., Rosenblat, G., & Boyer, E. W. (2022). Music therapy as a form of nonpharmacologic pain modulation in cancer patients: A systematic review. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 28(3), 241–247.
What activities take place in a music therapy session?
#Songwriting & Song Discussion
Clients may independently, or with the therapist’s assistance, fill in blanks of existing lyrics, rewrite lyrics, or compose entirely new songs. This process enhances emotional relief, self-exploration, self-awareness, communication skills, decision-making, active participation, etc.