Music Therapists

Internships, co-ops, volunteering, and part-time jobs at employers that provide music therapy services will provide useful experience.

To succeed as a music therapist, you should have a background in and a love of music. You should also have a strong desire to help others seek positive change in their lives. You must be able to work well with other people—both patients and other health professionals—in the development and implementation of therapy programs. You must have the patience and the stamina to teach and practice therapy with patients for whom progress is often very slow because of their various physical and emotional disorders. A therapist must always keep in mind that even a tiny amount of progress might be extremely significant for some patients and their families. A good sense of humor is also a valuable trait.