Michigan State Freezes Music Therapy Program

Obviously the person who wrote the horrible remarks about music therapy knows nothing about it or the program at MSU. It is the first college to offer a music therapy degree. Would you take away Palmer College of Chiropractic when it started chiropractics? No. Music therapy is not unknown in the world, especially with people who care about the advancement of skills in their loved ones with disabilities. These are the people who know a great deal about music therapy. This is true with any specializied doctor-- the people who need them know them. Please do not offend our profession by basically deeming it unworthy when a huge wealth of research would prove it an effective therapy in a wide variety of populations. I have students who couldn't talk who are now able to say full sentences due to the music therapy. Ask their parents if they would get rid of a program that would educate more people in this profession. I gather you know what the answer would be.

As for psychology recognizing it as a profession, we as music therapists know that we have a lot of research to do to catch up to the psychologists of the world. You have studies that are hundreds of years old, and we can't begin to match that, but can only attempt to publish as much credible research as possible. I have worked with amazing professors of psychology who have helped me a great deal in research who are in complete support of music therapy. Take for instance a group of troubled teens who go to group therapy. How likely is it that they are going to express their feelings in front of everyone without a therapeudic medium? What if they were able to listen to lyrics from a song that relates to their life? This is much more relevant to the children of today and that is why music therapy is effective and can make a huge impact in teens struggling with addiction, abandonment, sexual misconduct, aggression, etc.

Please observe a music therapy session by a BOARD-CERTIFIED music therapist before saying the things you do. I guarantee you will be changed.

Katey of IL 11:54AM April 23, 2009