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“Music therapy is the specialized use of music by a credentialed professional who develops individualized treatment and supportive interventions for people of all ages and ability levels to address their social, communication, emotional, physical, cognitive, sensory and spiritual needs.”    Certification Board for Music Therapists​
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Music therapy is an established health care profession recognized as a viable treatment option by many, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Intrepid Center of Excellence.​
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Music therapy is a powerful, noninvasive, and non-pharmacological medium capable of unique outcomes.  Music therapy is accessible to all and can be used with individuals, groups, or families.   Clients need no prior music training to receive services but benefit by active engagement in the therapeutic process which may include creating, learning, listening to, or performing music. ​
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After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the trained music therapist designs and implements a wide variety of music therapy interventions based on a) the best available evidence from research and clinical literature, b) the therapist’s training, expertise and specializations, and c) the client’s needs and preferences.  The effectiveness of treatment is determined through continued assessment and evaluation of the client’s progress towards therapy goals.​
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For more information about music therapy, visit the webpage of the American Music Therapy Association at www.musictherapy.org

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Neurologic music therapy (NMT) is an advanced form of music therapy that uses evidence-based techniques to treat the brain.  These techniques emphasize the use of music and rhythm to achieve non-musical goals in the areas of cognition, physical movement, and speech.  The Center for Biomedical Research in Music defines NMT as “the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to disease of the human nervous system.”

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Research has demonstrated that music and rhythm affects multiple areas of the brain simultaneously and that the brain that engages in music is actually changed by that engagement.  Music can help build new neural connections in the brain through experience and exposure, thus improving rehabilitative potential and the ability of the brain to “rewire” itself after trauma or injury, allowing individuals to lead more productive and functional lives. ​
For more information about neurologic music therapy, visit the website of the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at www.colostate.edu/depts/cbrm