Frequently
Asked
Questions

Do I need to know how to play an instrument?

No. You do not need any musical skills whatsoever. That’s what’s great about music therapy! We meet you exactly where you are and form the musical experience around that.

Am I learning music in music therapy?

No and maybe. It depends on what your goals are and how you want to reach them. Learning how to play an instrument, read music, or sing can aid in developing self confidence, independence, focus, and many other skills.

While the primary mode of music therapy is not learning music, it may be a good avenue for you.

Can I do music therapy myself?

Music is inherently therapeutic and any time we listen to music, play music, or move to music, we feel these benefits. Music therapy, however, is the clinical practice that requires music, a client (you), AND a certified music therapist. So, no, you cannot do music therapy yourself without a trained music therapist.

Is there research behind music therapy?

Yes! If you do a quick search on Google Scholar you’ll find loads of research on music therapy. This is what our music therapy activities and techniques are based on, all of the science and research.

Who can benefit from music therapy?

Anyone.
Music therapy is a clinical service that is flexible to work with anyone, at any stage of life, and with any challenge.

There are some circumstances where music therapy may not be the best therapy to use and these include the following: when you are music-averse, when music is over-stimulating, or when music feels harmful. In addition, music therapy may be extra challenging for professional musicians or those with strong musical histories.

What if I have a bad memory with a certain song?

Many people have very strong associations with certain songs or even styles of music due to music’s strong connection with the brain. Trauma can influence how we respond to music or specific songs. If you have a strong memory with music, it is important to share this with your music therapist.

Is this psychotherapy?

No. The practices of a music therapist do not step into the field of psychotherapy unless the music therapist is trained in psychotherapy. Kim Best Music Therapy does not practice psychotherapy. This is why it is important to have your own psychotherapist or mental health counselor outside of music therapy.

What music will help me the most?

I wish we had answers to questions like these, but we are not yet sophisticated enough to know what works best. What we know from the research is that active music making with a trained music therapist can help create change, foster growth, and provide comfort. We also know from research that the strongest memories we have with music, often the songs people can still sing at the end of life, are songs from our youth.