Specialised therapies
Music Therapy
What is Music Therapy?
- What is Music Therapy for?
- Therapeutic work with musical means, mostly non-verbal
- Is Music Therapy legally regulated?
- Independent legally regulated health profession (Music Therapy Act 2008). Listed in the Ministry of Health's music therapist register.
- Does Music Therapy treat illnesses?
- Yes. Treatment of emotionally, physically, mentally or socially caused strain and illness.
Music therapy uses music deliberately for therapeutic purposes: actively through playing, improvising and singing together, or receptively through conscious listening. It works especially where words are hard to find, reaching feelings, memories and relationships on a non-verbal level.
It is used across the whole lifespan: in children’s developmental support, for mental illness and the after-effects of trauma, in neurorehabilitation, with disability, and in the care of older and seriously ill people, for example with dementia. The focus is on emotion regulation, expression, stabilisation and relationship.
It is mostly used alongside other treatment and requires no musical experience.
What is allowed
- Treat mental and psychosomatic strain with music therapy
- Work non-verbally, valuable with children, trauma, dementia and after stroke
- Foster emotion regulation, expression and development
- Practise independently (Master) or co-responsibly (Bachelor)
Where are the limits?
- No medical diagnosis, no medication
- Not music lessons; no musical experience needed
How to recognise quality
- Listed in the music therapist register
- Completed degree; Bachelor co-responsible, Master independent
- Statutory professional liability insurance in place
- A clear therapeutic goal, not just making music
How it works
- First sessionclarify concern, set the setting
- Therapyactive playing, listening and improvisation within a therapeutic relationship
- Courseregular sessions, reflection on the experience
Costs & insurance
In institutions (hospital, rehab, early support)usually part of care, free for patients
Private practiceprivate service, no insurance funding
Guide price private practiceapprox. 70 to 110 € per session