The American Music Therapy Association states that Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music.
Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.
Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.
According to Ms. Celeste S. Sanchez – the first didactic Music Therapist in the Philippines – in her experiences, conducting Music Therapy to Autistic Children, “It all began in the early years of my music teaching career when I was giving piano lessons to three children from a prominent family in Manila. Every time I was there, I noticed this little boy who was always trying to get a pick at what his sisters and I were doing. He was very curious, and all throughout the lessons, I would catch him there, looking at us. Whatever his parents or his sisters would notice him, though, he would be shooed away, and I wondered why they didn’t allow the little boy to participate in what we are doing. It was very clear that he wanted to get involved, play the piano and sing. He was a mentally challenged boy. It was then that I realized that music therapy can do a lot of good for these special children – that through Music, they may be able to overcome their disabilities and express themselves more.”
At present, I am working with Ms. Sanchez in Music Therapy and Music Psychology Research – trying to establish a Music Therapy Center for physically and mentally challenged individuals, PWDs, Elderly and Stress Related Disorders. My vision is to create awareness about the therapeutic influence of Music and to have the first Music Therapy Center here in Angeles City. This project will be a catalyst in our community and with the help of the Angeles City local government or other Non-Profit Organizations, this vision will materialize in the near future.
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