Music therapist

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

• 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 be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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

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