The Future of Music Therapy
Are you an established music therapist or just beginning in the field, perhaps you are wondering about its future? That future can be determined by various factors such as more research into its benefits and increased public awareness of it.
Music therapy has seen a meteoric rise in popularity both here and abroad, due to its positive effects on various medical conditions and illnesses. Research has even demonstrated that it can be effective at treating PTSD, depression, substance abuse problems, pain disorders, autism spectrum disorders and dementia.
Additionally, it offers social and emotional support to people and their families. Furthermore, clients may improve their mood, cognitive functions, reduce stress levels, and experience less anxiety.
Music therapy’s future looks bright, as its popularity continues to grow due to its numerous advantages and the growing number of certified music therapists worldwide.
This trend will make it simpler for music therapists to find employment. According to the American Music Therapy Association, job opportunities will open up at hospice homes, cancer treatment centers and even prisons in the near future.
Research into music therapy is needed, as well as more training for those interested in becoming a music therapist. The more research done, the more reliable this field will become as a treatment option for various medical and mental health conditions.
Technology is crucial in music therapy. It allows patients to have a more personalized experience and clients can use digital tools that are easier to access and portable. That is why many MT practitioners have adopted various technologies over the last two decades – be it smart devices, apps, recording technologies or streaming services – such as smart headphones or streaming services.
However, some music therapists have been reluctant to adopt certain technologies such as specialized MT software or new digital musical interfaces (DMIs). In a recent survey conducted across North America and Asia/Oceania, music therapists were asked which technologies they currently use in their daily practice of music therapy, and which ones they think should be adopted in the future.
More than half (59 individuals) responded affirmatively to this question, indicating they use technology in their everyday practices. Most often, these individuals utilize smart devices, apps, recording technologies or electronic devices for recording, conferencing and streaming music.
In addition to these types of devices, over 85% of respondents indicated that technology will be useful in conducting future MT sessions. In other words, most therapists who adopted technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic plan to continue using those same tools into the future.
Technology is an ideal way to reach a wider audience, as it can be utilized for advertising and education about music therapy’s benefits. Furthermore, it helps therapists stay current with trends and news in the field of music therapy. Furthermore, technology allows for more collaborations between this field of medicine and different medical disciplines.
