2 answers
Lauren
Student
Winnebago, IL
1
Question
Updated
582 views
What are the difficulties that come with becoming a music therapist? What is it like and what does the job entail?
I am looking into becoming a music therapist after college, but I have some doubts. I am nervous that I won't be good enough and so I wonder what it's like. I just want to know the difficulties so I know what I'm walking into.
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2 answers
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Lauren!
It’s completely normal to feel nervous when you’re exploring a career in music therapy — the fact that you’re asking these questions already shows maturity and self-awareness, which are essential in this field.
Here are the main difficulties that come with becoming a music therapist, along with what the job is really like:
1. Emotional demands of the work
Music therapists often work with individuals who are dealing with trauma, disability, chronic illness, grief, or mental health challenges.
That means:
• You’ll hold space for strong emotions
• Some sessions can be heavy
• You need to take care of your own emotional health
But it’s also incredibly meaningful because you get to witness growth and resilience through music.
2. Balancing musicianship and clinical skills
You’re not “just” a musician or “just” a therapist — you’re both.
Music therapists must:
• Maintain strong musical skills
• Understand psychology and clinical treatment
• Adapt music interventions to each client’s needs
This dual identity can be challenging but also very rewarding.
3. Physical demands
You’ll spend a lot of time:
• Playing instruments
• Singing
• Moving around during sessions
• Transporting equipment (guitars, drums, keyboards, etc.)
It requires stamina and good self-care.
4. Working in unpredictable environments
Sessions don’t always go as planned, especially with children, hospital patients, or clients with developmental conditions.
You’ll learn to:
• Think on your feet
• Adjust interventions instantly
• Stay calm when things don’t go as expected
Flexibility is key.
5. The path to certification
Becoming a licensed music therapist usually involves:
• Completing an approved music therapy degree
• Learning psychology, anatomy, and counseling
• Completing supervised clinical hours
• Passing the board certification exam
It’s a serious, structured path — but it prepares you incredibly well.
6. Limited public understanding
Many people don’t fully understand what music therapy is, so you may sometimes need to:
• Educate others
• Advocate for your profession
• Explain the difference between music therapy and “using music for comfort”
You become both a therapist and an advocate.
So, what is the job really like?
It’s creative, emotional, unpredictable, meaningful, and deeply human.
You might:
• Sing with a child to help them express emotions
• Use rhythm with someone recovering from a stroke
• Help a patient in hospice connect with their family
• Support someone with anxiety through songwriting
It’s a field where music becomes a tool for healing, communication, and connection.
Final encouragement
Feeling “not good enough” is incredibly common among future therapists — but what matters most is compassion, openness, and a willingness to learn. Skills grow with practice. Confidence grows with experience. And no therapist starts out feeling 100% ready.
If you’re passionate about music and helping others, you’re already on the right path.
If you want, I can also explain the full education pathway or what a typical day looks like.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous when you’re exploring a career in music therapy — the fact that you’re asking these questions already shows maturity and self-awareness, which are essential in this field.
Here are the main difficulties that come with becoming a music therapist, along with what the job is really like:
1. Emotional demands of the work
Music therapists often work with individuals who are dealing with trauma, disability, chronic illness, grief, or mental health challenges.
That means:
• You’ll hold space for strong emotions
• Some sessions can be heavy
• You need to take care of your own emotional health
But it’s also incredibly meaningful because you get to witness growth and resilience through music.
2. Balancing musicianship and clinical skills
You’re not “just” a musician or “just” a therapist — you’re both.
Music therapists must:
• Maintain strong musical skills
• Understand psychology and clinical treatment
• Adapt music interventions to each client’s needs
This dual identity can be challenging but also very rewarding.
3. Physical demands
You’ll spend a lot of time:
• Playing instruments
• Singing
• Moving around during sessions
• Transporting equipment (guitars, drums, keyboards, etc.)
It requires stamina and good self-care.
4. Working in unpredictable environments
Sessions don’t always go as planned, especially with children, hospital patients, or clients with developmental conditions.
You’ll learn to:
• Think on your feet
• Adjust interventions instantly
• Stay calm when things don’t go as expected
Flexibility is key.
5. The path to certification
Becoming a licensed music therapist usually involves:
• Completing an approved music therapy degree
• Learning psychology, anatomy, and counseling
• Completing supervised clinical hours
• Passing the board certification exam
It’s a serious, structured path — but it prepares you incredibly well.
6. Limited public understanding
Many people don’t fully understand what music therapy is, so you may sometimes need to:
• Educate others
• Advocate for your profession
• Explain the difference between music therapy and “using music for comfort”
You become both a therapist and an advocate.
So, what is the job really like?
It’s creative, emotional, unpredictable, meaningful, and deeply human.
You might:
• Sing with a child to help them express emotions
• Use rhythm with someone recovering from a stroke
• Help a patient in hospice connect with their family
• Support someone with anxiety through songwriting
It’s a field where music becomes a tool for healing, communication, and connection.
Final encouragement
Feeling “not good enough” is incredibly common among future therapists — but what matters most is compassion, openness, and a willingness to learn. Skills grow with practice. Confidence grows with experience. And no therapist starts out feeling 100% ready.
If you’re passionate about music and helping others, you’re already on the right path.
If you want, I can also explain the full education pathway or what a typical day looks like.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Lauren,
First of all, I admire that you're giving this careful thought. For those who succeed in music therapy, that blend of interest and anxiety is, in fact, the sweet spot. It shows your commitment to the task, not just to the idea itself.
The truth is that music therapy is lovely, deeply relational, and important, but it has disadvantages that you should be aware of up front.
1. Emotional labor is real: You are working with individuals who may be coping with mental health issues, medical illnesses, trauma, developmental challenges, or sorrow. You're using music to communicate in ways that words can't. That can be heavy, but it's also powerful. Setting firm boundaries and taking care of oneself are key elements of the work.
2. It’s not just “playing music with people.” In addition to creating treatment plans, music therapists also measure results, record progress, work with clinical teams, and modify therapies to meet a range of requirements. It is both innovative and therapeutic. Every day, you'll wear both hats.
3. Training is rigorous, but doable. You’ll need:
- a bachelor’s in music therapy (or a certification-equivalency program if your degree differs),
- supervised clinical hours,
- and board certification (MT-BC).
The programs are music-intensive and psychology-intensive. You’ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone, faculty and supervisors support you through it.
4. Imposter syndrome is common. Nearly every music therapist you encounter has asked themselves if they are "good enough." The fact? You develop the skill set. Nobody enters completely formed. What counts is your passion for the work and your readiness to learn.
5. The job itself is incredibly rewarding. You might assist a patient in overcoming anxiety, promote memory retrieval in dementia care, lessen pain perception during medical operations, or assist a nonverbal child in communicating for the first time. It has a strong effect. Additionally, compared to many other assisting professions, artistic expression keeps burnout at a lesser level.
It's worth listening to if you find yourself pulled to it. Your doubts are an indication that you want to do this work properly, and that's precisely the kind of thinking that makes a music therapist strong and resilient. You have an advantage since you're not entering this situation blindly; rather, you're prepared and self-aware.
Best wishes!
First of all, I admire that you're giving this careful thought. For those who succeed in music therapy, that blend of interest and anxiety is, in fact, the sweet spot. It shows your commitment to the task, not just to the idea itself.
The truth is that music therapy is lovely, deeply relational, and important, but it has disadvantages that you should be aware of up front.
1. Emotional labor is real: You are working with individuals who may be coping with mental health issues, medical illnesses, trauma, developmental challenges, or sorrow. You're using music to communicate in ways that words can't. That can be heavy, but it's also powerful. Setting firm boundaries and taking care of oneself are key elements of the work.
2. It’s not just “playing music with people.” In addition to creating treatment plans, music therapists also measure results, record progress, work with clinical teams, and modify therapies to meet a range of requirements. It is both innovative and therapeutic. Every day, you'll wear both hats.
3. Training is rigorous, but doable. You’ll need:
- a bachelor’s in music therapy (or a certification-equivalency program if your degree differs),
- supervised clinical hours,
- and board certification (MT-BC).
The programs are music-intensive and psychology-intensive. You’ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone, faculty and supervisors support you through it.
4. Imposter syndrome is common. Nearly every music therapist you encounter has asked themselves if they are "good enough." The fact? You develop the skill set. Nobody enters completely formed. What counts is your passion for the work and your readiness to learn.
5. The job itself is incredibly rewarding. You might assist a patient in overcoming anxiety, promote memory retrieval in dementia care, lessen pain perception during medical operations, or assist a nonverbal child in communicating for the first time. It has a strong effect. Additionally, compared to many other assisting professions, artistic expression keeps burnout at a lesser level.
It's worth listening to if you find yourself pulled to it. Your doubts are an indication that you want to do this work properly, and that's precisely the kind of thinking that makes a music therapist strong and resilient. You have an advantage since you're not entering this situation blindly; rather, you're prepared and self-aware.
Best wishes!