The healing tones of music
Utah State University’s long standing music therapy program trains students to use music and music activities to address physical, psychological, cognitive and social needs of individuals.
The music therapy profession started 50 years ago, when music began to be used to help Veterans from World War II. The musicians realized that to work in the hospital, they needed more systematic and thorough training to deal with the problems that confronted them.
The program started at Michigan State University, and now 70 schools offer both undergraduate and graduate programs. The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) now sets the standards for training and curriculum.
“I decided on this career because I love music and I have seen how it can change lives,” said Kendene Gailey, a senior in the program. “I volunteered at a care center. We would sing to the adults there. The way they reacted to the music really interested me.”
Gailey hopes to eventually contract her services out as a music therapist.
“The name drew me to it,” said Mendy Magistro, a senior music therapy student.
Her sister told her stories about a music therapist who helped girls with eating disorders, she said.
Magistro has not yet decided what population to work with following graduation.
“I have seen incredible changes,” said Elizabeth York, music therapy professor. “Cognitive changes, emotional changes, change in the ability to trust, as well as improvements in coordination for persons with physical challenges.”
York practiced music therapy for more than 20 years. The majority of her clinical experience has been with adult psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and dementia. She recently developed a music therapy assessment tool for Alzheimer’s patients.
“In addition to course work, students are required to work in three different practicum settings,” York said. “We have clinical placements all over Cache Valley.”
“I like the practicum,” Gailey said. “We actually get to see the changes that our treatment supports.”
Magistro and Gailey served at Bear River Adult Skill Center. The center focuses on teaching skills to help the clients with daily living, Magistro said.
“The highlight of their week was music therapy,” Magistro said.
She described one lady who would only sing one word. They gave her a stuffed dog to hold, and suddenly she was singing the whole song.
“You could tell she was happy,” said Magistro.
“There was a connection,” Gailey said. “We were there for each other, supporting each other, trusting and developing an alternative form of communication.”
Although the music therapy program has been around at USU for awhile, many do not know what a music therapist does.
“We are research-based and client centered,” York said.
A music therapist first assesses the emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities and cognitive skills through musical responses, she said.
The therapist then designs sessions for individuals or groups based on client needs. Sessions may include song writing, music performance, receptive music listening and more. The final step is ongoing evaluation/follow-up and termination. They also abide by a professional Code of Ethics and standards of clinical practice, York said.
“I regard music therapy as a tool of great power in many neurological disorders because of its unique capacity to organize or reorganize cerebral function when it has been damaged,” said Oliver Sacks, professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
“Having worked extensively with music therapists for the last few years, I have learned to appreciate their professionalism, research and clinical abilities. I strongly believe that they should have a prominent role in health care delivery,” said Fadi Joseph Bejjani, research professor and director, New York University.
The music therapy program requires that students not only take music classes, but also a broad spectrum of other classes including psychology, biological social and behavioral sciences.
There are 65 students in the USU program, York said. Similar to current trends, most are female. In the state of Utah, there are more positions open for music therapists than can currently be filled.
Another trend for graduates in the field is to establish a private practice. However, organizations from early intervention programs, half-way houses, general medical hospitals and hospices are currently hiring music therapists, York said.
“Musical experiences can be meaningful to individuals across the life span, and so, the potential for music therapists to work in a variety of clinical settings continues to expand,” York said.