Music can bring back memories, encourage movement, ease anxiety and create meaningful connections. When used intentionally by a trained professional, it can also help people communicate, develop skills and cope with healthcare challenges, according to Dr. Andrea Cevasco-Trotter, director and professor of music therapy at The University of Alabama.
Cevasco-Trotter spoke about music therapy and its applications during a recent lecture to College of Community Health Sciences faculty, residents and medical students.
“Music therapy is the specialized use of music by a credentialed professional to address nonmusical goals,” Cevasco-Trotter said.
Board-certified music therapists, designated as MT-BC, complete academic and clinical training before entering the profession. Their work differs from simply playing music for entertainment or relaxation because each session is designed around an individual’s needs and goals.
UA has offered a music therapy program since 1984 and is the only university in Alabama offering a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. The four-year program combines traditional music coursework with extensive clinical training, preparing students to obtain professional certification after completing a six-month internship.
Students begin observing music therapy sessions during their first semester and begin providing weekly services in the community during their second semester. As they progress through the program, students take on greater clinical responsibilities and work with individuals across a variety of ages and needs.
Students receive supervised experience at community sites including schools, early intervention programs, memory care facilities, developmental disability programs, mental health facilities, hospitals and hospice. Clinical partners include: DCH Regional Medical Center, where students serve patients in areas including pediatrics, oncology, neonatal intensive care and palliative care; Tuscaloosa City and County school systems; Capstone Village, a retirement community on the UA campus; and Hospice of West Alabama.
Each session is supervised by a board-certified music therapist and a music therapy clinical supervisor.
Music therapy students learn guitar, piano and voice and apply those skills in clinical settings. Music therapy sessions may include singing, playing instruments, improvisation, songwriting, movement or listening. Sessions may be individual or group-based and are adapted to a person’s age, abilities and preferences.
“Most of the music used in music therapy sessions involves patient-preferred music,” Cevasco-Trotter said.
That preference can make an intervention more meaningful. A familiar song might help an older adult reconnect with a memory, while rhythm and movement can help someone practice physical skills. Songwriting can give people receiving hospice care an opportunity to reflect on their lives and create a meaningful legacy for family members.
Music therapy can be used throughout the lifespan. For premature infants, live music and a mother’s voice can create opportunities for interaction while supporting development.
For older adults, familiar songs can provide a connection to memories and experiences.
Cevasco-Trotter discussed research examining music preferences and how familiar selections can encourage participation, improve mood and facilitate social interaction for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Research continues to examine how music therapy can be tailored to different populations and which techniques are most effective. Cevasco-Trotter said the profession also faces challenges in expanding access, increasing awareness and developing standardized approaches while maintaining individualized care.