3 answers
Nasiya
Student
Springfield, Massachusetts
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What career field should I pursue if I plan on majoring in psychology, with a music minor?
This fall, I will be starting college! I know that I want to one day work in the mental health field with children, but I’m not sure exactly what job would give me everything I’m looking for. I also have a passion for music. Is it possible to combine the two or should I pursue one over the other?
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3 answers
David Crighton
5
Answers
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Nasiya,
Reach out to your school's Psychology Department and see how they can support you in pursuing a career as a Music Therapist. Also, try searching "Music Therapist" online for more great information.
Wishing you the best of luck! :)
David
Reach out to your school's Psychology Department and see how they can support you in pursuing a career as a Music Therapist. Also, try searching "Music Therapist" online for more great information.
Wishing you the best of luck! :)
David
David, thank you!
Nasiya
Lisa Minogue-White
Director, Enterprise Sales UK
3
Answers
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
Completely agree with the music therapy or occupational therapy roles.
And as was said before, you don't really need to choose as the music specialism is so complimentary - paediatric psychology, specialising in trauma as the music and creative channel can be very helpful in a therapeutic setting, developmental psychology using creative arts in assessment and engagement, getting some further education experience and moving into educational psychology to help disenfranchised learners reconnect with school, music therapy in hospital settings (it has a huge demonstrable impact on recovery rates).
Good luck and what a fascinating area to pursue...
And as was said before, you don't really need to choose as the music specialism is so complimentary - paediatric psychology, specialising in trauma as the music and creative channel can be very helpful in a therapeutic setting, developmental psychology using creative arts in assessment and engagement, getting some further education experience and moving into educational psychology to help disenfranchised learners reconnect with school, music therapy in hospital settings (it has a huge demonstrable impact on recovery rates).
Good luck and what a fascinating area to pursue...
Jarod Fan
Customer Service
7
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Dalian, Liaoning, China
Updated
Jarod’s Answer
Combining psychology and music is a unique and promising path, especially for working with children in mental health. Here’s a structured look at potential career fields and how to integrate both passions, along with steps to explore them:
1. Music Therapy
What it involves:
Uses music (singing, instruments, songwriting, etc.) to address emotional, cognitive, and social needs in children with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, or trauma.
Requires training in both psychology (human behavior, therapy techniques) and music (performance, music theory).
Why it’s a fit for you:
Directly merges mental health and music, allowing you to work with children in therapeutic settings.
Examples of use cases:
Helping autistic children communicate through rhythm.
Using songwriting to help teens process emotions.
Leading group music sessions for anxiety reduction.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Look for bachelor’s or master’s programs in Music Therapy (often requires coursework in psychology, music, and clinical practice).
Certification: Most states require certification (e.g., through the American Music Therapy Association, AMTA), which involves exams and supervised clinical hours.
2. Child Psychologist or Counselor with a Music Focus
What it involves:
Provide talk therapy to children but incorporate music as a supplemental tool (e.g., using playlists to explore emotions, music-themed activities in sessions).
Focus on diagnosing and treating conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD in children.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Prioritizes psychology but allows creative integration of music to engage young clients.
Career paths:
School psychologist: Work in K-12 schools, supporting students’ mental health.
Private practice or clinic: Specialize in child therapy with music-based interventions.
Education & Training:
Degrees:
Bachelor’s in Psychology (with music as a minor).
Master’s in Counseling Psychology or School Psychology.
Doctorate (Ph.D./Psy.D.) for licensed psychologist roles (required in some states).
Licensing: Most states require passing exams (e.g., National Counselor Exam) and supervised hours.
3. Creative Arts Therapist
What it involves:
Use multiple art forms (music, visual art, drama) as therapeutic tools for children. Music is one component of a broader creative approach.
Focus on self-expression, emotional regulation, and social skills development.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Ideal if you want to keep music as part of your work but also explore other creative modalities.
Settings: Hospitals, community centers, or schools.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy or Expressive Arts Therapy (some programs allow specialization in music).
Certification: May require certification through organizations like the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) or the International Association for Creative Arts Therapies (IACAT).
4. Child and Family Social Worker with Music Integration
What it involves:
Support children and families facing challenges like poverty, abuse, or mental health issues. Use music to build rapport or facilitate group activities (e.g., family therapy sessions with music-based bonding exercises).
Why it’s a fit for you:
Focuses on systemic support but allows for creative, music-driven interventions in community or social service settings.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Bachelor’s in Psychology or Social Work; master’s in Social Work (MSW) for advanced roles.
Licensing: Requires passing the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam in most states.
5. Music Educator with a Focus on Mental Health
What it involves:
Teach music in schools or community programs while emphasizing its mental health benefits (e.g., stress relief, confidence building).
Advocate for music as a tool for emotional well-being in children.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Combines your love for music with working with children, though the mental health focus is more indirect (e.g., promoting resilience through arts education).
Education & Training:
Degrees: Bachelor’s in Music Education (with psychology coursework).
Certification: Teacher certification in your state (typically includes student teaching and exams).
6. Researcher or Advocate in Music and Child Mental Health
What it involves:
Study the impact of music on children’s mental health (e.g., publishing papers on music therapy outcomes) or advocate for policies that integrate music into mental health services for youth.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Ideal if you enjoy academia or policy work and want to contribute to evidence-based practices in the field.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Psychology, Music Psychology, or a related field.
How to Explore These Paths in College
Take Strategic Courses:
Psychology: Child development, abnormal psychology, counseling techniques.
Music: Music theory, music history, instrumental or vocal performance (if you’re not already proficient).
Electives: Look for classes on music therapy, expressive arts, or child psychology.
Gain Hands-On Experience:
Internships: Seek opportunities at clinics, schools, or nonprofits that use music in mental health (e.g., music therapy clinics, art therapy programs).
Volunteer: Work with organizations that serve children (e.g., youth centers, hospitals) to test your interest in direct work.
Join Clubs: Start or join a music therapy or psychology club on campus to connect with peers and professionals.
Build a Portfolio:
For music therapy or creative arts roles, showcase your musical skills (e.g., recordings, performance videos) and any psychology-related projects (e.g., case studies, research papers).
Network:
Attend conferences or workshops on music therapy, child psychology, or creative arts.
Connect with professors in both departments for advice and mentorship.
Should You Pursue One Over the Other?
You don’t have to choose! Many careers in mental health for children welcome creative approaches, and music is a powerful tool for engagement, especially with young clients. Focus on a primary field (e.g., music therapy or counseling) and weave music into your practice. Your unique combination of psychology and music will make you stand out in a field that often lacks arts-integrated professionals.
Start exploring internships or part-time jobs in related settings early in college to gain clarity on which path feels right. You’re in a great position to create a career that blends your passions!
1. Music Therapy
What it involves:
Uses music (singing, instruments, songwriting, etc.) to address emotional, cognitive, and social needs in children with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, or trauma.
Requires training in both psychology (human behavior, therapy techniques) and music (performance, music theory).
Why it’s a fit for you:
Directly merges mental health and music, allowing you to work with children in therapeutic settings.
Examples of use cases:
Helping autistic children communicate through rhythm.
Using songwriting to help teens process emotions.
Leading group music sessions for anxiety reduction.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Look for bachelor’s or master’s programs in Music Therapy (often requires coursework in psychology, music, and clinical practice).
Certification: Most states require certification (e.g., through the American Music Therapy Association, AMTA), which involves exams and supervised clinical hours.
2. Child Psychologist or Counselor with a Music Focus
What it involves:
Provide talk therapy to children but incorporate music as a supplemental tool (e.g., using playlists to explore emotions, music-themed activities in sessions).
Focus on diagnosing and treating conditions like anxiety, depression, or ADHD in children.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Prioritizes psychology but allows creative integration of music to engage young clients.
Career paths:
School psychologist: Work in K-12 schools, supporting students’ mental health.
Private practice or clinic: Specialize in child therapy with music-based interventions.
Education & Training:
Degrees:
Bachelor’s in Psychology (with music as a minor).
Master’s in Counseling Psychology or School Psychology.
Doctorate (Ph.D./Psy.D.) for licensed psychologist roles (required in some states).
Licensing: Most states require passing exams (e.g., National Counselor Exam) and supervised hours.
3. Creative Arts Therapist
What it involves:
Use multiple art forms (music, visual art, drama) as therapeutic tools for children. Music is one component of a broader creative approach.
Focus on self-expression, emotional regulation, and social skills development.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Ideal if you want to keep music as part of your work but also explore other creative modalities.
Settings: Hospitals, community centers, or schools.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Master’s in Creative Arts Therapy or Expressive Arts Therapy (some programs allow specialization in music).
Certification: May require certification through organizations like the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) or the International Association for Creative Arts Therapies (IACAT).
4. Child and Family Social Worker with Music Integration
What it involves:
Support children and families facing challenges like poverty, abuse, or mental health issues. Use music to build rapport or facilitate group activities (e.g., family therapy sessions with music-based bonding exercises).
Why it’s a fit for you:
Focuses on systemic support but allows for creative, music-driven interventions in community or social service settings.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Bachelor’s in Psychology or Social Work; master’s in Social Work (MSW) for advanced roles.
Licensing: Requires passing the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam in most states.
5. Music Educator with a Focus on Mental Health
What it involves:
Teach music in schools or community programs while emphasizing its mental health benefits (e.g., stress relief, confidence building).
Advocate for music as a tool for emotional well-being in children.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Combines your love for music with working with children, though the mental health focus is more indirect (e.g., promoting resilience through arts education).
Education & Training:
Degrees: Bachelor’s in Music Education (with psychology coursework).
Certification: Teacher certification in your state (typically includes student teaching and exams).
6. Researcher or Advocate in Music and Child Mental Health
What it involves:
Study the impact of music on children’s mental health (e.g., publishing papers on music therapy outcomes) or advocate for policies that integrate music into mental health services for youth.
Why it’s a fit for you:
Ideal if you enjoy academia or policy work and want to contribute to evidence-based practices in the field.
Education & Training:
Degrees: Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Psychology, Music Psychology, or a related field.
How to Explore These Paths in College
Take Strategic Courses:
Psychology: Child development, abnormal psychology, counseling techniques.
Music: Music theory, music history, instrumental or vocal performance (if you’re not already proficient).
Electives: Look for classes on music therapy, expressive arts, or child psychology.
Gain Hands-On Experience:
Internships: Seek opportunities at clinics, schools, or nonprofits that use music in mental health (e.g., music therapy clinics, art therapy programs).
Volunteer: Work with organizations that serve children (e.g., youth centers, hospitals) to test your interest in direct work.
Join Clubs: Start or join a music therapy or psychology club on campus to connect with peers and professionals.
Build a Portfolio:
For music therapy or creative arts roles, showcase your musical skills (e.g., recordings, performance videos) and any psychology-related projects (e.g., case studies, research papers).
Network:
Attend conferences or workshops on music therapy, child psychology, or creative arts.
Connect with professors in both departments for advice and mentorship.
Should You Pursue One Over the Other?
You don’t have to choose! Many careers in mental health for children welcome creative approaches, and music is a powerful tool for engagement, especially with young clients. Focus on a primary field (e.g., music therapy or counseling) and weave music into your practice. Your unique combination of psychology and music will make you stand out in a field that often lacks arts-integrated professionals.
Start exploring internships or part-time jobs in related settings early in college to gain clarity on which path feels right. You’re in a great position to create a career that blends your passions!
This was super helpful, thank you!
Nasiya