Jake Beck - UpBeat Music Therapy

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Even as a trained, experienced, board-certified and licensed professional Music Therapist of 17 years, and a business owner in the healthcare space of SW Washington for the past 7+ years, there is still a question, by far, that I get asked the most: “What is music therapy”?

It doesn’t always get asked quite so clearly or directly, and can take many forms, almost always well-intentioned: “Oh wow, what is that?”; or “That’s cool, but how does that work?”; or sometimes, “That’s your actual job”?! Sometimes it doesn’t get asked with the best of intentions, and sometimes it doesn’t get asked at all, even when I can tell that my audience is wondering.

One of my many jobs as a music therapist and a creative arts therapy agency owner is to answer this common question each and every time it’s asked, and to educate with authority an answer that will inform and satisfy each asker. The challenge is that there seem to be as many different answers as there are different ways to ask!

A good place to start is to look to my profession’s governing body, The American Music Therapy Association. Here is their definition:

“Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of musical interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.”

This reads as a dictionary-style definition, and has all the necessary components to justify music therapy as a healthcare discipline, including the fact that MT is an allied profession and that its practitioners have been schooled, trained, and credentialed. That’s a surprisingly important part of the narrative, as there are many types of music healing practitioners, and music is widely known by all stripes of people to be beneficial to one’s health. So while the AMTA’s definition can’t be argued with, it is longish and dry and isn’t (and isn’t designed to be) used too often as an “elevator pitch”.

I use a similar structure for a definition I created myself a number of years ago when presenting on music therapy and its benefits to interested healthcare organizations or facilities:

“Music Therapists use music (guitar, piano, voice, tonal and atonal instruments) in a therapeutic setting (wherever the patient is located) to work towards appropriate goals as determined by patient, family, caregivers, medical professionals, area healthcare agencies, and the music therapist.”

I find that this communicates more of the “where and “how”, with less of the “what” of the work I do as a music therapist, is more illustrative, and lets the receiver use their own imagination. But it also contains some asides and explanations in parentheses, which makes it better to read on a screen than it might be to explain in our theoretical elevator. And it is actually longer than the AMTA definition above!

So what is the most concise, yet useful, definition? Is there just one? I will admit that I have been, and sometimes continue to be, frustrated when attempting to answer this question. It is never an easy or short answer, but so very necessary in expanding the footprint of my profession, which I truly love and believe in. I’ve heard the adage that if it can’t be told in a sentence, it’s not worth telling, but I’ve found that explaining music therapy would be one really long run-on sentence.

I find the the better question is: “What does music therapy accomplish?” After all, in our therapeutic relationships with clients and patients, we as music therapists don’t often offer a definitional justification for our services. How we communicate to our clients and their care team what it is we’re doing is entirely based on goals and outcomes. Music therapists are consistently assessing, treating, and evaluating the outcomes of our work with people in need, and that success is based on the therapeutic gains that our clients are experiencing, which is in turn based on their goals for treatment. And because music therapy is entirely individualized to the person or persons receiving treatment, the answer to the question, “What does music therapy accomplish” needs likewise to be individualized to a similar degree.

To ask what music therapy is, we should ask what it can accomplish. To communicate what it can accomplish is to respectfully ask what challenge our potential clients need addressed. And to communicate that, we often need to ask and seek the source or cause of a person’s challenge. And that is most usually understood by population or diagnoses-based labeling. Finally, we can begin to have a conversation and get to the heart of answering the original question:

Q: What is music therapy?

A: Music Therapy is a goal-oriented healthcare discipline that utilizes music as the main tool in creating a progress-based therapeutic relationship. Are you asking for someone in particular?

Q: My mom has dementia, but she loves music!

A: Your Mom already sounds like a great candidate for music therapy. In my experience, music can help folks with dementia with reminiscence, life review, relaxation, appropriate exercise, socialization, and can lead to less isolation, loneliness, and anxiety. It can also be a good experience and therapeutic for family members, friends, and loved ones!

Q: What happens when you visit?

A: In your Mom’s case, I can meet her at her home or facility. I’ll simply bring a guitar and songbook to start, as I assess her needs and your goals for her therapy. I’ll play era-appropriate music for and with her, and will try and bring her some immediate engagement, relaxation, and joy. Preferred music almost always works best; does your Mom have any favorite artists, songs, or genres?

Q: Oh, let’s see, she really likes old country and hymns…how often would you visit with her?

A: We are flexible anywhere from one time a month to once a week, depending on your needs and wants.

And so on and so forth! If there is something to look forward to in hearing this tough question in an elevator, at a resource fair, or at the coffee shop, it is a potential conversation where there is meaningful communication. And the above is just one typical example from just one common diagnosis. Although dementia and in particular Alzheimer’s affects a great many people who might be seeking solutions, there are just as many people, families, and care teams seeking help with a great many other and vastly different health challenges. The good news that I like to share with people is that music therapy CAN address nearly every malady, given the music therapist themselves specializes and is experienced with that population, and that the music therapist is the right fit for the client and their family.

Each of these diagnoses and challenges, and more, can be effectively addressed through goal-oriented and outcome-based music therapy services, and each of them carries its own full and rich conversation when attempting a definition:

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease
Developmental Disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, and Pervasive Developmental Disabilities
Physical Disabilities, including Cerebral Palsy, Rett’s Syndrome, and with Tracheotomy, Chronic or Acute Physical Pain, Physical Rehabilitation from Injury
Acquired Brain Injuries, including Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Neurological Conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease, ALS
Mental Health Disorders, such as with Trauma, Substance Abuse, Depression and Anxiety/Mood Disorders
End-of-life Care, Hospice Care, including Natural Causes, Cancer

So what is music therapy? The truth of the matter is that music therapy, like many treatment modalities and disciplines, can’t necessarily be defined in an easily digestible sound bite. Ours is a highly individualized and endlessly flexible solution, performed for people in need by trained, experienced, and specialty-minded practitioners. Even in a cultural landscape of quick fixes, online fads, and supposedly easy solutions to any challenge, I still believe in the power and meaning of face-to-face interactions and relationships. However it is ultimately defined, music therapy can provide for and service these crucial needs.

Jake Beck, MT-BC
Music Therapist, Owner

For many senior living facility administrators, finding effective ways to manage residents’ needs can feel like solving a never-ending puzzle. When it comes to managing agitation, particularly in the evenings, you’re not alone in seeking solutions that work for residents, caregivers, and families alike.

A few years ago, an assisted living facility found itself in a situation that may sound familiar: residents were becoming visibly distressed as the day wore on. By evening, many seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia grew more agitated, walking restlessly through the halls, calling out, or even becoming physically aggressive with caregivers or fellow residents. Staff members were worn thin, trying to manage unpredictable behaviors while ensuring everyone stayed safe. Tensions rose, burnout set in, and caregivers began to leave, increasing the strain on those who remained. The administrator was at a loss—what could help restore peace to the facility?

Then, they discovered a solution they hadn’t considered before: music therapy.

My Role as a Music Therapist in Senior Care

When the administrator asked me to bring music therapy into the facility, we knew we needed a targeted approach. For individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, music therapy is an evidence-based field of practice that has been shown to reduce agitation and aggression, promote relaxation, encourage social behaviors, and even ease physical discomfort. Music therapy goes beyond simple enjoyment—it is a structured, therapeutic intervention. Familiar melodies and rhythms can stimulate memories, enhance mood, and soothe anxiety. For seniors who may struggle with cognitive and emotional regulation, music therapy can offer a connection beyond words.

What I Witnessed with Music Therapy in Action

We scheduled our music therapy sessions during the evenings, a time when residents’ agitation tended to peak. Using live music tailored to each resident group’s preferences, I noticed changes almost immediately. Some residents who were usually the most agitated and withdrawn began to relax and even hum along. One of my primary goals as a music therapist was to engage each resident, especially those who struggled to connect verbally. As they grew more engaged, they became more calm and focused on the music, and the disruptive behaviors decreased noticeably. Residents were calmer, more responsive, and more connected with the environment around them.

What stood out to me was how quickly music therapy helped ease some of the toughest behaviors. Caregivers observed residents calming down and connecting, and this created a shift in the overall atmosphere. The caregivers themselves seemed more at ease as they watched the residents relax, and I could see the stress lift as they began to join in, laughing and singing along. Music therapy wasn’t just helping the residents; it was helping the whole facility find a moment of peace in what was once a very tense time.

The Benefits for Staff and Residents Alike

The benefits of implementing music therapy extended beyond reducing resident agitation. Caregivers began to feel more supported and engaged, which was essential in combating the burnout many were feeling. They saw the impact of the sessions and were able to reconnect with residents in ways that felt meaningful and energizing. When caregivers have a therapeutic tool like music therapy available, they are better equipped to handle the challenges of their daily roles, with a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

Why You Should Consider Music Therapy for Your Facility

If you’re an administrator facing challenges like evening agitation, resident aggression, or caregiver burnout, adding music therapy to your facility’s offerings could be the transformative approach you need. Here are a few practical steps to consider:

Start Small: A weekly music therapy session may be enough to make a difference. Experiment with scheduling sessions during peak agitation times, such as the late afternoon or early evening.
Select a Qualified Music Therapist: A certified music therapist with experience in dementia care will know how to tailor sessions to your residents’ needs and preferences.
Observe and Adjust: Like any new intervention, music therapy may require adjustments based on resident response. Gather feedback from caregivers and families, and encourage staff to share observations.
Communicate with Families: Families want to know their loved ones are happy and comfortable. Highlighting the success of music therapy sessions can reassure families and deepen their trust in your facility.

Music therapy has the power to bridge gaps in communication, reduce anxiety, and improve the quality of life for your residents. Just as importantly, it can reduce the stress load on your caregivers, making their daily work more sustainable and satisfying. Implementing music therapy isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

By focusing on holistic, person-centered care like music therapy, you can enhance the well-being of your residents and the resilience of your caregiving team, creating a living space where positive interactions flourish.

Latest Music Therapy Topics

What is Music Therapy?

Using Music Therapy to Transform Evening Agitation in Senior Living Communities

Then, they discovered a solution they hadn’t considered before: music therapy.

My Role as a Music Therapist in Senior Care

What I Witnessed with Music Therapy in Action

The Benefits for Staff and Residents Alike

Why You Should Consider Music Therapy for Your Facility

If you’re an administrator facing challenges like evening agitation, resident aggression, or caregiver burnout, adding music therapy to your facility’s offerings could be the transformative approach you need. Here are a few practical steps to consider:

Start Small: A weekly music therapy session may be enough to make a difference. Experiment with scheduling sessions during peak agitation times, such as the late afternoon or early evening.

Select a Qualified Music Therapist: A certified music therapist with experience in dementia care will know how to tailor sessions to your residents’ needs and preferences.

Observe and Adjust: Like any new intervention, music therapy may require adjustments based on resident response. Gather feedback from caregivers and families, and encourage staff to share observations.

Communicate with Families: Families want to know their loved ones are happy and comfortable. Highlighting the success of music therapy sessions can reassure families and deepen their trust in your facility.

By focusing on holistic, person-centered care like music therapy, you can enhance the well-being of your residents and the resilience of your caregiving team, creating a living space where positive interactions flourish.