Mind & support
Music therapy
ดนตรีบำบัด
The use of music-based experiences, singing, playing, listening, improvising, by a trained music therapist to support health and well-being.
IntensityGentle
Origin
United States (as a modern profession)
History
Grew during the World Wars; first university degree in 1944 (Michigan State University)
Licence in Thailand
Not required
Where it comes from
Music has long been linked with healing in many cultures, but music therapy as a profession is recent. In the United States, the earliest known written references to music therapy are two anonymous articles from 1789 and 1796.
Support for the practice grew during the First and Second World Wars, particularly in US Veterans Administration hospitals caring for wounded soldiers. The first university degree programme opened at Michigan State University in 1944, and the first national association, the National Association for Music Therapy, was created in 1950.
Two US associations merged in 1998 to form the American Music Therapy Association. Internationally, the World Federation of Music Therapy was founded in Genoa, Italy, in 1985. In the UK, "music therapist" is a protected title for practitioners registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
The principle
The World Federation of Music Therapy describes music therapy as a professional discipline that uses music-based experiences to promote health, well-being, capacity and development, delivered by trained professionals within a therapeutic relationship. The American association speaks of the clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions to reach individualised goals.
The idea is that everyone can respond to music, whatever their musical background. Sessions often rely on live musical interaction between therapist and client, instruments, voice, improvisation, so that music becomes a way to communicate and express oneself when words are not enough.
What people come for
- Manage stress and find moments of calm
- Express emotions through sound rather than words
- Support communication and social connection
- Accompany people living with illness, injury or disability
- Encourage movement, attention and engagement
How it works on the body
Music therapy involves listening, voice and movement, so it engages both the body and the mind.
A session, step by step
- 01
Assessment
The music therapist learns about your needs, preferences and goals.
- 02
Agreement
You agree on goals, individual or group format, frequency, fees and confidentiality.
- 03
Musical activity
Depending on the goals, you may improvise, sing, play instruments, write songs or listen together.
- 04
Reflection
Where appropriate, you talk about what you noticed or felt during the music.
- 05
Review
Progress towards your goals is reviewed regularly and the plan adjusted.
Precautions
- Music therapy is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.
- Listening to relaxing music or a sound-bath class is not music therapy: music therapy is delivered by a trained professional within a therapeutic relationship.
- In Thailand there is no specific licence for music therapists: ask about the practitioner's degree (for example a master's in music therapy) and clinical experience.
- Tell the therapist about hearing sensitivity or sounds that upset you.
- If you are in crisis, call the free 24-hour mental health hotline 1323, or emergency services on 1669.
Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.
In Thailand
In Thailand, the College of Music at Mahidol University offers a Master of Arts with a major in music therapy, taught in Thai, designed to train practitioners and researchers, with clinical work in Mahidol's health-care system. There is no separate Thai licence for music therapists: creative arts therapists may practise under a clinical psychology licence, counselling credentials, or with less formal regulation, so checking training matters. The World Federation of Music Therapy has announced that its next World Congress of Music Therapy will take place in Thailand in 2029.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be musical?
No. Music therapy is based on the idea that everyone can respond to music. Instruments are chosen so that anyone can play them.
Is it the same as a sound bath or sound healing?
No. Music therapy is a professional discipline delivered by a trained therapist within a therapeutic relationship, with individual goals. Sound-healing sessions are a different practice.
Who is it for?
People of all ages, including those affected by injury, illness or disability, and people with emotional, communication or social needs. It can be individual or in a group.
Do I have to sing?
Only if you want to. Sessions can involve playing, listening or moving; the therapist adapts to what feels comfortable for you.
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Sources
- World Federation of Music Therapy: About
- WFMT: History of Music Therapy in the United States and Canada
- American Music Therapy Association: What is Music Therapy
- British Association for Music Therapy: What is music therapy?
- HCPC: The professions we regulate
- Mahidol University College of Music: Music Therapy
- TherapyRoute: Academic Credentials for Mental Health Professionals in Thailand
- Find A Helpline: Thailand