Music therapy is the clinical application of music-based interventions to achieve clinical goals. Music therapy is well-researched and has been shown to be effective in the fields of mental and physical health. Music-based interventions, including songwriting, lyric analysis, improvisation, or music-assisted relaxation, can be used in conjunction with counseling techniques to develop healthy coping skills, practice effective self-care, process emotions and thoughts in a non-traditional way, and increase enjoyment.

Music therapists are credentialed by the Certification Board for Music Therapists after completing an approved degree program. In some states, music therapists are licensed or have other forms of state recognition. As of March 2023, a Music Therapy Practice Act is moving through the Tennessee State Legislature to create state licensure for music therapists in Tennessee. Click here to learn more from the American Music Therapy Association.