Music therapy: what it is, its uses, types, and evidence-based benefits

What is music therapy, and what makes it different?

The World Federation of Music Therapy describes music therapy as the professional use of music and its elements as an intervention in medical, educational, and everyday settings. In practice, what sets it apart is having a goal for each person, a music therapist to support them, and a way to assess their progress.

Scientific reviews typically group the techniques into four types:

• Receptive: listening to music chosen for a purpose, then discussing or responding to what it brings up.
• Improvisation: creating music in the moment with instruments or the voice, without a score.
• Re-creation: singing or playing existing music, often in a group.
• Composition: creating songs or pieces, sometimes with original lyrics.

None of this requires prior musical talent. The goal is not a good performance, but the effect the experience has on the person.

What are the types of music therapy?

When people search for "types of music therapy," they usually find two different classifications: how the person participates and the music therapist's theoretical model.

Active or receptive

In active music therapy, the person makes music: singing, playing, improvising, or composing. In receptive music therapy, they listen to music chosen for a purpose, then talk, draw, or move in response to what they felt. Most sessions combine both.

Individual or group

In an individual session, all the time is devoted to one person, allowing every detail to be tailored to them. In a group session, the group itself is part of the work: taking turns, listening to each other, and making music together. Nordoff Robbins, for example, offers one-on-one, small-group, and large-group work, and recommends a format after an initial session.

The main models

A model is a way of thinking about and organizing the work. These are the most commonly mentioned models, explained in plain language. No single model is generally better than the others: the choice depends on the person and the training of whoever leads the sessions.

Many music therapists combine elements to suit each case instead of following a single model. What matters is that they can explain what they do and why.

What happens in a music therapy session?

Each provider has its own approach, but the process is usually similar:

1. Initial assessment. The music therapist talks with the person or their family, reviews any information they share from the healthcare team or school, and observes how the person responds to music.
2. Goals. A few specific goals are agreed upon, such as improving communication, emotional regulation, attention, or mobility. These are written down so they can be reviewed.
3. Sessions. These combine active and receptive techniques: singing, playing simple instruments such as drums or xylophones, improvising together, listening to and discussing a song, or moving to the rhythm.
4. Progress monitoring. Observations from each session are recorded, and the goals are reviewed to see whether they are still appropriate.

Sessions can be individual or in a group. We explain how long they last below. A family member or caregiver can participate when that is helpful.

How long is a music therapy session, and how often are sessions held?

There is no single standard session length. In general, a session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and takes place once a week to maintain continuity. For young children or people who tire quickly, the music therapist may suggest shorter sessions. Brief sessions are also offered in hospitals and institutions.

At Gissi, sessions last 60 minutes and are usually weekly. The first is an initial assessment, where we get to know the person and agree on goals with the family. Sessions can take place at home in Bogotá or by video call, depending on what works best for your situation.

The number of sessions needed depends on the goals and the individual, and is reviewed as progress is monitored. A responsible music therapist will not promise a result within a set number of sessions.

What is music therapy used for, and who can it support?

Music therapy can provide support in many situations. The possibility of support does not mean a guaranteed outcome, and it never replaces a diagnosis or treatment:

• Autism (ASD): it can support communication and interaction. This is the area with the most research, which we summarize below.
• Down syndrome: it can support language, coordination, and emotional expression as part of a child's therapy plan.
• ADHD: it can support sustained attention and self-regulation through rhythmic routines and games with rules.
• Language difficulties: singing and rhythm are used to work on articulation, turn-taking, and vocabulary.
• Older adults and dementia: it can support mood, connections with others, and memories associated with songs.
• Stress and anxiety: it can offer a guided space for expression and calm.
• Rehabilitation: rhythm is used to support walking, breathing, and coordination, always in collaboration with the rehabilitation team.

This guide does not cite systematic reviews for several of these situations. Treat them as possibilities to discuss with the healthcare team, not as promises.

For more specific information, see our guides to music therapy for children, music therapy for older adults, and music therapy activities.

Benefits of music therapy

The most frequently mentioned benefits fall into the following categories. For each one, we explain how strong the supporting evidence is. Details of the reviews appear below in the evidence section.

Communication and relationships with others

Taking turns making music, copying a rhythm, or singing together can offer a form of communication that does not rely on words. This is one goal when working with autistic children, for example. The evidence here is partial: the Cochrane review could not determine whether it improves social interaction and communication.

Emotions and mood

Music can help people identify and regulate their feelings. This is one of the areas with stronger evidence: reviews on depression and dementia found that it probably helps reduce depressive symptoms, with moderate certainty, although there are still few studies.

Memory and cognition

Familiar songs often bring up memories and spark conversation in older adults. That is different from improving memory: for dementia, the Cochrane review found that it probably does not change cognition. The benefit is emotional and social rather than cognitive.

Movement and coordination

Rhythm is used to support walking, breathing, and coordination. Neurologic Music Therapy is used mainly in rehabilitation, always in collaboration with the medical team. It is widely used, but we do not review studies specific to this area here, so it is a good idea to discuss it with your rehabilitation team.

Pain and anxiety in the hospital

In healthcare settings, music is used during procedures and waiting periods to offer calm. It is studied as a support, rather than a replacement for pain relief or treatment. The evidence cited in this guide does not cover this category, so we leave it as uncertain.

What does the evidence say about music therapy?

Cochrane, an organization that summarizes health research, has reviewed music therapy for several conditions. These are the findings we were able to read, presented along with their limitations.

Autism

The Cochrane review of music therapy for autistic people brought together 26 studies with 1,165 participants, mostly children. It concludes, with moderate certainty, that music therapy probably reduces overall symptom severity and improves quality of life in the short term. It cannot say whether it helps with social interaction and communication, and data on adverse effects are very limited. There is almost no long-term follow-up.

Dementia

The 2018 review included 22 trials with 1.097 participants living in institutions. With at least five sessions, music probably reduces depression symptoms and improves behavioral problems at the end of treatment. It probably does not change agitation or cognition, and there is no evidence that effects persist weeks later.

Depression

The 2017 review included 9 studies with 421 participants. With moderate-quality evidence, music therapy added to usual treatment may be more effective than usual treatment alone, especially in the short term. The studies were few and varied, so the authors urge caution.

Music therapy or music lessons?

In a music lesson, the goal is learning to play or sing, and the teacher structures progress around musical skills. In music therapy, the goal is therapeutic and music is the medium. Both can coexist and often complement each other. If you're unsure, read music therapy or music lessons and explore our music lessons, such as piano or singing.

How can you recognize a trained music therapist?

In Colombia and other countries, some people use the term without specific training. Before you begin, ask:

• Where they studied music therapy, which program they completed, and in which years.
• Which groups of people they have worked with and how they set goals.
• How they record progress and coordinate with the doctor, school, or therapists.
• What they do not promise: a responsible professional does not talk about cures.

Music therapy training takes place in dedicated programs. One example in Bogotá is the Master's Program in Music Therapy at the Faculty of Arts of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, which awards a master's degree in music therapy and accepts professionals from music, the arts, healthcare, or education. In other countries, associations such as the American Music Therapy Association require completion of an approved program.

Music therapy at Gissi

At Gissi, we offer music therapy, with sessions led by a music therapist, at home in Bogotá or online by video call. This is a separate service from music lessons.

Sessions last 60 minutes and are usually weekly. They are led by music therapists with master's or doctoral degrees. The first session is an initial assessment, where we agree on goals with the family, then monitor progress afterward. We also work with institutions such as care homes for older adults, schools, and rehabilitation centers. No musical knowledge is needed. If you would like to learn how we work or whether the service fits your needs, get in touch for a conversation with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions