nal well being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. They design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using: music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, musicand imagery, music performance, and learning through music. Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up.Although much research in the potential of music therapy remains to be done, it is evident that music can play an important role in the rehabilitative process. Music can and does influence human behavior, but it is not a cure-all. It can rarely accomplish treatment aims and goals by itself. In order to be most useful and therapeutic in the hospital setting, music is subordinated to an overall treatment plan designed to meet the specific needs of the patient as prescribed by a physician. Music is administered by a music therapist who, through his personality, knowledge of his medium, skills, examples, and attitudes, provides the experiences necessary to achieve therapeutic results. The therapist uses music as a tool in assisting each patient to reorganize his disorganized and inappropriate patterns of behavior into more acceptable ways of dealing with life's problems. In this way, both the therapist and the music contribute to the positive growth and development of the patient. Work done in the clinical center (music therapy workshops) stresses participation in individual lessons and practice, in small ensembles (coached and uncoached), and in large choral and instrumental groups. The purposes are to stimulate the interest of the patients in music as a meaningful cultural activity and to direct their energies into making music for enjoyment, satisfaction, and growth toward health. Music therapy allows persons with mental health needs to: explore personal feelings, make positive changes in mood and ...
