Music therapy is a unique and well-established healthcare profession that combines music and therapeutic expertise to improve an individual's health and quality of life. Music therapy uses clinical and evidence-based music interventions to address the physical, psychological, cognitive, and/or social functioning of clients of all ages in a variety of settings. A music therapist (MT) is a specialized professional practicing in this field who designs and adapts creative musical experiences to meet each client's individual needs, desires and therapeutic goals. An MT holds a bachelor's degree or higher from a college or university accredited by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). An MT has received training in the fundamentals of music, clinical and music therapy. In addition to academic courses, the MT student has completed 1,200 hours of clinical training. Upon successful completion of the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) national examination, the graduate receives the designation of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). MTs use their musical talents and therapeutic knowledge to create a stimulating, non-threatening environment that encourages self-expression and social interaction. Music therapists work with children, adolescents, adults and older adults. They serve clients in medical and psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, community centers, clinics, retirement and residential care facilities, and hospice programs. TMs use music as a therapeutic tool to treat a wide range of conditions, including psychiatric disorders, medical conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, developmental disorders, substance abuse, and age-related diagnoses such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. middle of document .......The positive results of music therapy are substantial. TMs have made inroads with autistic children. Structured music lessons helped these children make eye contact with others and communicate verbally and nonverbally in socially acceptable ways. Music therapy has been particularly beneficial for older adults. Listening experiences promote memory recall and reduce apprehension and loneliness. Among older adults, songwriting provides clients with a means to express their feelings of life and death through the composition of a musical life review. Regardless of age or musical background, every individual can benefit from music therapy. Working independently or as part of an interdisciplinary team, MTs blend art and science, music and medicine to create experiences that facilitate physical and emotional healing and increased function..