American Music Therapy Association

What is Music Therapy?

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.

Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

• Promote Wellness
• Manage Stress
• Alleviate Pain
• Express Feelings
• Enhance Memory
• Improve Communication
• Promote Physical Rehabilitation

Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare and educational settings. For further information, please explore the rest of this site including the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Mission of the American Music Therapy Association

The mission of the American Music Therapy Association is to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.

Music Therapy Study Gains Widespread Recognition

When Meds Fail: A Case for Music Therapy

AMTA-member Tim Ringgold, MT-BC, was given the amazing opportunity to speak at a youth TEDx event. TEDx is an integral part of the TED program, whose mission is "ideas worth spreading." According to Tim, "My specific intention was to plant the seed of music therapy in the hearts and minds of the more than 500 kids there that day. I also wanted them to know that is okay to struggle a little with who you're gonna be when you grow up. Last, I wanted them to see that our jobs and our lives can and should intersect, as we give most of our waking hours to our work. "

Tim states, "I have the best job in the world, and I want the world to know that each of us has the opportunity to wake up and feel that way about our work."

This short video is a 'must see' for anyone exploring music therapy as a career.

New E-courses Available in the AMTA Online Store

Announcing the launch of Dr. Alicia Clair's AMTA E-course, "Music Therapy and Dementia: Protocols for Managing Problem Behaviors." This e-course includes detailed descriptions of behavior issues, theoretical framework, and operating principles for music therapy interventions, as well as step-by-step details about music therapy protocols to facilitate predictable outcomes when addressing problem behaviors resulting from dementia. Participants listen to the audio discussion at their leisure. If they choose to earn 5 CMTE credits from AMTA, a CBMT Approved Provider, participants simply must submit a CMTE Evaluation after listening to the audio.

Current AMTA Members Receive Substantial Discounts - Introductory Price:

• Regular Cost: $150 - includes 5 CMTE credits
• Current Members Discounted Cost: $100 - includes 5 CMTE credits
• Current Student/Grad Student Member Discounted Cost: $50

After you make your purchase and follow the instructions to check out and pay, your e-course workbook can be downloaded logging in on the AMTA website, then going to My Account>My Transactions>My Downloadable Products.

Additional E-courses:

The first in the AMTA E-course series, "Music Therapy Reimbursement: Sources and Steps to Success" by AMTA's Director of Government Relations, Judy Simpson, MT-BC, Managed Healthcare Professional, allows participants to study at their leisure, and equips each listener with the most up-to-date tools and reimbursement information necessary for seeking reimbursement to make top-quality music therapy services more accessible to individuals of all ages in a variety of clinical settings. For more information on this e-course, watch this brief video from presenter Judy Simpson:

More to Come:

Renew Your 2013 Membership in AMTA Today

Membership in AMTA not only helps support our mission, but it helps you as a music therapist or student in more ways than you know.  Be sure and renew your membership for the 2013 calendar year in order to take advantage of all the benefits membership in AMTA has to offer.  To join AMTA or renew your membership, log in with your email address and password, then click the Join AMTA button.  You can pay for your membership in the AMTA Online Store.  Or, if you'd like to mail in your payment, click here to print out the membership form and mail it to the AMTA office with your payment.  

Benefits of Membership are valued at over $3200 per year.

Definintely worth the cost!

See below for just a few of the benefits membership brings to you and go to our member benefits page for even more.  You can also print this graphic out or download to your hard drive to share it with friends and colleagues or administrators at your convenience.