What I’ve observed for years is the need to increase awareness as to the various types of musicians within the emerging field of Music and Healing. Here’s just a sampling of what it takes to specialize in this field:
Music Therapist: 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. In addition to the academic coursework (typically designed to be completed in 4 years with an additional 6 month internship after the course work is completed), the bachelor's degree requires 1200 hours of clinical training, including a 6 month supervised internship.Upon successful completion of the bachelor’s degree and internship, an individual is eligible to sit for the Board Certification exam to obtain the credential MT-BC (music therapist-board certified) which is necessary for professional practice. http://www.musictherapy.org/about/requirements/
Therapeutic Musician:The practice of the TM is to use the intrinsic healing elements of live music and sound to provide an environment conducive to the human healing process - defined as movement toward mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. All of the training programs accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (NSBTM) maintain a current list of graduates on their websites. These directories list certified musicians who have completed training in therapeutic music and related concepts and a 45-hour internship playing at the bedside of patients in hospital and palliative care settings. http://www.nsbtm.org/find-a-therapeutic-musician/
Music-Thanatologist: Music-thanatology is a professional field within the broader sub-specialty of palliative care. It is a musical/clinical modality that unites music and medicine in end of life care. The music-thanatologist utilizes harp and voice at the bedside to lovingly serve the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the dying and their loved ones with prescriptive music. http://www.mtai.org/index.php/certification
Vibroacoustic Harp Therapist: A certified VAHT practitioner delivers live therapeutic music via an amplified harp (with at least 36 strings) to a patient who is positioned on a vibrotactile mat or chair. The VAHT home-study program is available for TMs and licensed medical professionals. Completion of a supervised practicum is required for certification. http://www.vibroacousticharp.com/
Although I am not certified in any specific field, I am passionate about sharing "Vibrational Awareness" workshops and presentations. Here are a few testimonials from a group of music therapy students who attended a seminar:
VERY INTERESTING. VERY TRUE. I FEEL THE PRESENCE OF ENERGY WHEN I TEACH GUITAR EVERYDAY. EVERY STUDENT IS DIFFERENT.
I REALLY ENJOYED HER. SHE WAS VERY UPBEAT, ENERGETIC, AND HAD VERY INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY.
I LOVED LEARNING ABOUT VIBRATIONS
AMY IS A VERY GIFTED MUSICIAN – AND I WAS COMPLETELY FASCINATED AND CAN RELATE TO WHAT SHE IS DOING.
AMY IS DEFINITELY AN INNOVATOR AND PIONEER. VERY INTELLIGENT!
INTERESTING. WORTH A LOT OF THOUGHT. (THIS IS FROM A STUDENT WHO NEVER SAYS MUCH AND DEFINITELY NOT POSITIVE THINGS.)
VERY IMFORMATIVE. SHE MADE SOME GREAT POINTS CONCERNING MUSIC AND VIBRATIONS.
AMAZING STAND POINT AND POSITION CONCERNING THE HEALING POWERS OF MUSIC
THIS WAS AMAZING AND REALLY MAKES SENSE
SHE HAS A LOVE FOR WHAT SHE DOES AND EVEN THOUGH SHE’S NOT A MT, SHE HAS GOOD INFO FOR WHAT WE NEED.
GREAT INFO – REINFORCED A LOT OF WHAT I LEARNED LAST SEMESTER
PRESENTATION WAS INTERESTING, DEFINITELY A NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC.
