DMS employees and other Indiana music therapists with Rep. Pfaff in the House of Representatives.
Yesterday, several members of our team went to the state capitol to advocate for music therapy state licensure! Our goal was to talk to our representatives and senators about supporting SB 164 to recognize national standards of practice and create more accountability in the music therapy profession. Some of the information we got to share with them:
What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Who uses music therapy?
Some of the populations served by music therapists include individuals with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, autism, behavior disorders, developmental disabilities, premature infants, cancer, substance use, mental illness, Parkinson’s, PTSD, and hospice & palliative care.
Why is licensure needed?
We are seeking state recognition of the music therapy profession and for the MT-BC credential to be required for competent practice. This is to protect the public, increase access to services for constituents, and to include music therapy in state funded programs.
What other states recognize music therapy?
License: Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington
Title Protection: California and Iowa
State Certificate: Utah and Tennessee
Registry: Rhode Island and Wisconsin
Where is music therapy offered?
Music therapy is offered in 83 of the 98 counties in Indiana, and we have 7 collegiate degree programs for bachelor’s master’s, and PhDs in music therapy across the state.
Thank You!
Thank you to the Association for Indiana Music Therapy and the Indiana Music Therapy Taskforce for organizing and supporting this event and to the over 70 music therapy professionals, interns, and students who came out yesterday from all over the state to advocate for licensure! We are grateful for the many members of our state legislature who are in support of this bill and are hopeful our bill will be read on the house floor.
