Clinical Process

A clinical approach designed to address individual needs.

From assessment to session, what to expect from music therapy.

Like any other therapeutic process, music therapy involves planning and preparation. There is no one standard approach: it is personalized and adapted to meet the specific needs of an individual or group with similar goals. Music therapists conduct assessments, create intervention plans, incorporate proven techniques and methods, and adjust their program based on the clients’ progress. 

Assessment

Once a client is referred to a music therapist, the first step is to assess their needs and abilities based on an initial interview, and on medical and other relevant information provided by the client, their healthcare team or their family. The evaluation process may continue over several sessions.

Intervention plan

Once the music therapist has observed the client’s musical preferences and responses to various music therapy interventions and techniques, they are able to establish goals and objectives and prepare an intervention plan that will guide how they work together in the course of their music therapy sessions.

During the program

Throughout the music therapy program, the music therapist makes progress notes, observations and recommendations for adjustments to the intervention plan as needed. Ongoing communication is essential between the therapist, client, family and other professionals involved. 

Intervention techniques & methods

Music therapists use a variety of interventions, methods and techniques to address clinical goals. 

Active music therapy methods require the client to be actively involved in music-making during sessions.

Methods may be improvisational, in which the client improvises music spontaneously using instruments (for example: percussions), their voice or other forms of music technology, accompanied by the music therapist.

Music therapy methods are receptive when the client listens to selected music, chosen in relation to the intended objectives. Receptive methods include relaxation with musical listening, song discussion, musical imagery, music listening during medical procedures or music listening to support movement coordination. Depending on the context, the music therapist plays live or pre-recorded music to the client during these sessions.

Some methods are compositional, in which the client composes music or participates in song writing, with the assistance of the music therapist. 

Finally, some methods are re-creational, where the client is involved in performing music that has already been composed. Clients may re-create through singing, playing instruments for themselves or performing for others.  

The music therapist plans therapeutic experiences and chooses instruments based on the client’s needs, abilities and objectives.