American Music Therapy Association

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Music Therapy Makes a Difference

Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Click the picture to learn more.

What is the Profession of Music Therapy?

How Does Music Therapy Work?

Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare & educational goals: Promote Wellness, Manage Stress, Alleviate Pain, Express Feelings, Enhance Memory, Improve Communication, Promote Physical Rehabilitation, etc. Click to learn more.

Is Music Therapy Effective?

Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare and educational settings. Click the picture to learn more.

Where Do Music Therapists Work?

Music therapists work in medical hospitals, treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, drug & alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities & more. Click to learn more.

What Do Music Therapists Do?

Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, & cognitive skills through musical responses; design music interventions for individuals and groups based on client needs; & follow up progress.

Who is Qualified to Practice Music Therapy?

Those who complete an approved music therapy degree, internship, and who pass the Certification Board for Music Therapists' certifying exam, earning the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist, Board Certified). Click the picture to learn more.

Who Can Benefit from Music Therapy?

Children, adolescents, adults, & the elderly with mental health needs, developmental & learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, acute and chronic pain, & more.

Does Research Support Music Therapy?

AMTA promotes a vast amount of research exploring the benefits of music as therapy through publication two research journals and other sources. A substantial body of literature exists to support its effectiveness. Click the picture to learn more.

What is AMTA's Mission?

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. Click the picture to learn more.

AMTA System Update March 26, 2025

AMTA Community,

Thank you for your patience with the recent system upgrade to the back-end of our website. We are currently working on several sections of our content that were linked to our prior system. We are aware of linkage issue with Oxford University Press for journals and working on fixing the links. If you are a member and need to login into your account, please go into My Account on the Quick Links section. If you need any information please contact us at info@musictherapy.org and we'll respond quickly. Thank you.

You Can Help Support Music Therapy!

The American Music Therapy Association^® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world. You can help support this mission.

Please visit the donation campaign on GiveLively
and make a tax-deductible donation today!

Music Therapy is the clinical & 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 address a variety of healthcare & educational goals and many can benefit from music therapy services. The base of evidence in music therapy research is extensive and strong.

AMTA works to support and strengthen the music therapy profession, expand access to music therapy, raise awareness about its benefits, support research, and empower music therapists to serve diverse populations.

AMTA Membership in 2025!

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Latest News

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Saturday, April 19, 2025

AMTA Government Relations Update 4-19-2025

AMTA partners with national disability and public health sector organizations in response to Secretary Kennedy's offensive remarks about autistic individuals and the potential actions of the HHS Continue Reading

Saturday, April 12, 2025

AMTA Government Relations Update 4-12-2025

A significant amount of AMTA government relations work involves the AMTA and CBMT State Recognition Operational Plan. Continue Reading

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Call for Papers and Reviewers

We are now accepting proposals for the 2025 AMTA Symposium, which will be held September 14-17, 2025. We are seeking presentations that will challenge our collective thinking and expand our capacity for professional growth in a rapidly changing world. Continue Reading

Saturday, April 5, 2025

AMTA Government Relations Update 4-5-2025

First Quarter summary of AMTA's advocacy activities related to the 177 presidential actions since the January 20th Inauguration, DOGE and the evolving impact on American's health and safety. What's been happening and what you can do. Continue Reading

Sunday, March 30, 2025

2025 Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Award Deadline May 31, 2025

The application for the 2025 Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Award is now available. The deadline for application submission for the Award is May 31, 2025 Continue Reading

Saturday, March 29, 2025

AMTA Government Relations Update 3-29-2025

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reorganization of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) has potential to negatively impact music therapy clients. Continue Reading

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Government Relations Update March 22, 2025

Department of Education Executive Order DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE: On March 20, 2025, the Administration issued an Executive Order directing the Education Secretary to close the federal Department of Education and return authority over education to the states. This GR Update provides information on AMTA Coalition work and action items to make your voice heard to save the Department of Education, Continue Reading

Copyright © 1998-2025. American Music Therapy Association® and its logo are registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Information, files, graphics, and other content on this site are the property of the American Music Therapy Association® and may not be used, reprinted or copied without the express written permission of the American Music Therapy Association.

The American Music Therapy Association® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and accepts contributions which support its mission. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

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