Music therapist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

You'll need to do an approved postgraduate course in music therapy   and then register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) .

To get on a postgraduate course in music therapy, you'll usually need a degree in music.

However, you might be accepted if you have an education or psychology degree and you have a high level of music skill.

To apply for a postgraduate course, you'll need 1 or 2 years of paid or voluntary work experience in a health, education or social care setting.

Entry requirements:

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do an Arts Therapists Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

You'll usually need a qualification and experience in art, drama or music to apply.

Entry requirements:

• a degree in a relevant subject

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to have volunteering experience in health, education or social care.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through the The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• knowledge of the fine arts
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to enjoy working with other people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• a desire to help people
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Music therapists use music and sound to help improve people's emotional well-being, relieve stress and build confidence.

As a music therapist you could:

• meet with clients of all ages, families and other professionals
• assess your client's needs, plan therapy goals and prepare for sessions
• use a variety of musical styles and instruments in client-led, group or individual therapy sessions
• monitor progress and have regular sessions with a senior music therapist
• write reports, make recommendations and keep confidential records
• clean and maintain instruments and order supplies

Location : You could work in a therapy clinic, in a prison, in an NHS or private hospital or at a school.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £35,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become self-employed and build up your own practice
• move into teaching music therapy
• become a senior music therapist and manage a team of therapists or music therapy unit
• move into academic research