Breaking the Stigma: Why Music Therapy Should Be Accessible to Everyone
Image from Jackson Health System
Breaking the Stigma: Why Music Therapy Should Be Accessible to Everyone
When we think of music therapy, many people believe it can only be practiced by board-certified music therapists (BCMTs). While it's true that these professionals are highly trained, the idea that only they can perform music therapy has created a stigma that limits access to a powerful tool for improving health. This belief needs to be challenged, and we need to recognize that everyone—including teenagers, volunteers, and non-certified individuals—can contribute to the healing power of music.
At Info For Neuroscience (IFN), I created Calm Minds Connected Brains (CMCB) to break down this barrier. I believe that music therapy should not be exclusive to certified professionals. In fact, I’ve found that even I, as a teenager, can practice music therapy and make a difference. CMCB allows me, along with other volunteers, to curate therapeutic music playlists for the elderly in nursing homes, and this initiative can benefit people around the world.
The truth is, the more we limit music therapy to only board-certified therapists, the more we prevent elderly individuals and those in need from receiving valuable treatment. In many cases, professional music therapists may not be available in every healthcare setting, especially in nursing homes or community centers. By offering platforms like CMCB, we can reach these individuals with the healing power of music, even if they don’t have access to a certified therapist.
Our music playlists are specifically designed to support cognitive health and enhance mental well-being, particularly for elderly residents in nursing homes. But the impact extends beyond just cognitive health—by offering these playlists, we’re helping create a more prosperous healthcare environment overall. Music therapy, when provided in a consistent and thoughtful manner, can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and even enhance social interactions in nursing homes.
By expanding access to music therapy, we are not only improving the lives of the individuals receiving it but also creating an inclusive environment where the benefits of music are available to more people. Everyone should be able to contribute to music therapy, no matter their age or certification, as long as their intentions are to help and improve the well-being of others.
This is why initiatives like CMCB are so important—they provide an opportunity for individuals from all walks of life to participate in the therapeutic benefits of music, creating a ripple effect of positive change in communities everywhere.
Together, we can dissolve the stigma that only board-certified music therapists can practice music therapy. The more people who participate in music therapy, the more lives we can touch and heal. Music belongs to everyone—and its power to heal should be shared by all.
— Written by Kachilo Madubuko, Founder of Info for Neuroscience
