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Music & medicine |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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| Photo by Stephan
Elleringmann
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- What is music therapy?
- How can music therapy improve health?
- What kind of training is required for music therapists?
- What is unique about your music therapy approach at Beth Israel?
- What types of music therapy sessions are available?
- What is a music therapy session like?
- Who can benefit from music therapy?
- Is there research to support music therapy?
- What current music therapy research studies are there at Beth Israel Medical Center?
- How can I get further information on music therapy referrals for myself, a family member or a patient?
- Where can I learn more about music therapy?
- Do you provide training or orientation on your music therapy approach?
- Do you provide supervision required for licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist in the state of New York?
What is music therapy?
The American Music
Therapy Association has defined music therapy as "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 definition, 2005).
How can music therapy improve health?
Music has been used in healing since the beginning of time. Currently,
there is growing interest among health care providers regarding music
and medicine. Clinical interventions are based on scientific research
indicating that music therapy may
- Alleviate pain
- Regulate heart rate and blood pressure
- Improve breathing
- Ease anxiety
- Reduce depression
- Enhance quality of life
What kind of training is required for music
therapists?
Music therapists must pass a national board certification exam upon completion
of an accredited university program and internship and are required by
the Certification Board for Music Therapy to maintain ongoing training
in current methods, policies and practices. Music therapists specifically
study the evidence-based use of music (including both music listening
and active music-making) to achieve goals ranging from neurological rehabilitation,
speech development, stress management, physical wellbeing and psychotherapeutic
aims. Our music therapists, licensed by the NY State Department of Education,
are trained at the Masters and Doctoral level and are trained in the most
current music psychotherapy techniques in pain relief, wellness, stress
management and breathing modalities of music and healing.
What is unique about your music therapy approach
at Beth Israel?
In addition to using music to improve physical symptoms, music therapy
in a medical setting involves treating the whole person— body, mind
and spirit. At Beth Israel, our medical music psychotherapy approach involves
- Assessment of each patient's unique mind-body connection (how the mind is affecting the body and how the body is affecting the mind)
- Support of coping mechanisms which have been shown to enhance the immune system
- Treatment of the rhythms, resonances, tones, and timbres of the body to promote harmonic balance
- Addressing physical, emotional, cognitive, developmental, social and spiritual needs of the person
- Promoting self initiative, thereby enhancing one's sense of empowerment as a proactive force in his/her own healing
Music therapy is offered in one-to-one sessions with patients, in family sessions and in group sessions with other patients, family members, friends and/or medical staff. In addition, we provide environmental music therapy to promote a relaxing and soothing atmosphere for patients, families and staff on the unit. We are also implementing community outreach programs such as the Asthma Initiative Program (AIP) in local schools and outpatient services such as The Music & Health Clinic for performing artists and musicians, Music for AIR for adults with respiratory illnesses, and Music for CAIR for adults with heart disease. Read more about music therapy for specific medical issues in the Clinical Services section for adults or children.
What is a music therapy session like?
A typical session may involve music listening, guided visualization, structured songs, clinical improvisation, song writing or music-assisted relaxation. All sessions are tailored to the patient's needs and preferences. At Beth Israel Medical Center, music therapists play live music, customized to the individual needs of each patient based on preferences, physical and emotional state. Unlike recorded music, live music can be adjusted and adapted to the patient throughout the session. For example, sedation may be supported by slowing the tempo of the music gradually and changing musical elements such as meter, arrangement and texture. Participants may choose to play, sing, direct or simply listen and are provided with easy-to-play instruments.
Who can benefit from music therapy?
We work with people across the life span, from premature infants in the NICU to people recovering from surgery to end-of-life care. Patients in the hospital may benefit from music therapy to alleviate pain, anxiety, or depression, provide gentle stimulation for loss of consciousness and enhance coping, communication and quality of life. People in the community who are coping with an illness may also receive music therapy through our outpatient programs for children and teens with asthma, adults with COPD or heart disease, and musicians and performing artists. Read more about music therapy for specific medical issues in the Clinical Services section for adults or children.
Is there research to support music therapy?
There are numerous scientific research studies that support the use of music therapy in medical settings that are published in peer reviewed journals. You will find relevant articles listed under each page in the Clinical Services section for adults or children or see our Related Links page for Websites containing research databases, authoritative literature and articles on music therapy.
What current music therapy research studies are there at Beth Israel Medical Center?
Our Masters- and Doctoral- level music therapy team conducts cutting-edge research in music and medicine. We currently have several studies in process. Follow the links below to find out more or to enroll in one of our studies.
- Asthma Initiative Program for children and teens with asthma.
- Music for AIR study for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Music for CAIR study for adults with cardiovascular disease.
- The Heather on Earth Multi-site Neonatal Intensive Care Unit study for premature infants and their families.
How can I find further information on music
therapy referrals for myself, a family member or a patient?
For questions about music therapy or referrals for yourself, your loved
ones or your patients, please call (212) 420-2704 or email info@musicandmedicine.org.
Where can I learn more about music therapy?
Follow the links under Clinical Services section for adults
or children to find out more information
on music therapy services available for specific needs. We list our orientation
and training programs in the Education
& Training Section. Check out our Related
Links page for other sites containing information on music therapy.
In addition, the American
Music Therapy Association includes general information on the field
of music therapy.
Do you provide training or orientations on your
music therapy approach?
We provide 1-2 day orientations and
observations on our music therapy approach are available to anyone
who is interested. We are also an AMTA-approved training site for music
therapy students seeking the internship
for board certification. For music therapy professionals seeking advanced
training in our music psychotherapy approach, we have an International
Training Institute and the Thanks to Scandinavia
program.
Do you provide supervision
required for licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist in the state of New
York?
We provide individual and/or group supervision required for Licensed Creative
Arts Therapy (LCAT) in the state of New York. For questions and further
information, please call (212) 420-2704 or email info@musicandmedicine.org.
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