Music therapist
Use your clients’ response and natural connection to music and sound, to create meaningful, sensitive and positive experiences.
About the job
What it's like
You'll use music and sound to help improve people's emotional wellbeing, relieve stress and boost their confidence. Music therapy can help people to express themselves and bring about positive changes in their lives.
As a music therapist, you'll use your musical ability and knowledge of different genres and styles of music to interact with people.
Your clients could include children, young people or adults with:
emotional or mental health problems
learning or physical disabilities, or both
life-limiting conditions
neurological conditions or physical illnesses
communication difficulties
addiction issues, in recovery
Your tasks might include:
using musical instruments to help people with their problems, conditions or illnesses
helping people to develop their own insights into their issues
enabling people to communicate and interact with others in different ways
helping people to learn new skills or new ways of thinking and behaving
writing reports to record activities and how the clients are progressing
You'll hold one-to-one or group sessions. These sessions could involve you and your clients playing musical instruments, singing, listening and improvising together.
You'll review the effectiveness of the intervention then write case notes and reports. Sometimes people may find therapy difficult or upsetting and you might have to deal with challenging situations.
Music therapists work in hospitals, schools, pupil referral units, day centres, hospices, care homes, therapy centres, prisons and in people’s own homes.
Many music therapists work in the NHS, education and voluntary sector. There are also opportunities to be self-employed as a freelance music therapist or in private practice.
You'll be part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other professionals, depending on where you work, such as speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, doctors or social workers.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) – information, professional support and training opportunities
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – regulates people working in health, psychological and social work
NHSScotland Careers blog with videos – see how art therapy sessions work in practice
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Music therapist'
Select qualification level(s)
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- coaching
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- empathising
- researching
- evaluating
- creative
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Music
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Music Technology
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Psychology
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
University
You'll need a postgraduate qualification in music therapy that's accredited by the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT).
There is currently only one BAMT-recognised postgraduate music therapy qualification offered in Scotland. To enter the MSc in Music Therapy programme at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, you'll need:
an undergraduate honours degree (SCQF Level 10)
practical musical skills on at least one instrument
experience in a community, education or health setting
College
Getting qualifications at college could help you progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
NC Music
NPA Music for Wellbeing
NPA Music Performing
Use the My World of Work course search to find college courses.
Volunteering or work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills you'll need to become a music therapist. Look for opportunities in music, health, education or community work – you can use Volunteer Scotland to search for openings.
A driving licence can help you travel between locations.
It's useful if you have the ability to play more than one instrument.
It would also be helpful if you’ve completed a short course delivered by the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT). These courses can help you decide if a career in music therapy is for you.
Music therapists need to be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
Once you've completed your postgraduate degree you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll need this to work with any member of the public.
Once registered, you're also eligible for full membership of the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT).
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Music therapist'
