What Exactly is Music Therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, "Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program"1

What Music Therapy Is...and Is Not

The more music the better, bring it on!

"But clinical MUSIC THERAPY is the only professional research-based discipline that actively applies supportive science to the creative, emotional, and energizing experiences of music for health treatment goals."1

Music Therapy is: 

• Music Therapists must have a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy

• Music Therapists have completed 1200 hours of clinical training.

• Music Therapists Must hold a MT-BC credential, issued through Certification Board for Music  Therapists, which protects the public by ensuring competent practice and requiring continuing education.

• Music Therapy is an evidence based health profession with a strong research foundation.

• Music therapy degrees require knowledge in psychology, medicine and music.

Music Therapy is Not:

• A person with dementia listening to his favorite songs on an iPod with headphones.

• Celebrities performing at hospitals or schools.

• A piano player in a hospital

• Nurses playing background music for patients

• A choir singing on the pediatric floor of a hospital

"Music Therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort - between demoralization and dignity" - Barbara Crowe (past president of National Association for Music Therapy) 

 At CMF our Board Certified Music Therapists:

• Work with children with brain injuries or brain trauma to help reconnect neurons and increase brain activity.

• Work with children to reduce asthma episodes

• Work with children in the hospital to reduce pain

• Work with children who have autism to improve communication capabilities and decrease stress and anxiety

• Work with pre-mature infants to improve sleep patterns and increase weight gain.

"Music is universal but it is also highly individual and empowering."2 

Music therapy is so individualized that "going forward doctors may actually be prescribing a 'course' of musical numbers"3

 Imagine getting a prescription for your very own "mixed tape" from your doctor!

Children's Music Fund is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization  committed to provide music therapy and bring the healing power of music to children with life altering and chronic conditions.  For more information or to make a donation please visit our website:  www.thecmf.org 

1. American Music Therapy Association http://www.musictherapy.org

2. Music As Medicine: A Historical Perspective and Review of Select Clinical Applications, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, October 2013 Talin Babikian, Lonnie Zeltzer, Vartan Tachdjian, Lindsay Henry, Elan Javanfard, Lara Tucci, Mary Goodarzi , Raffi Tachdjian 

3. Music is medicine to the brain..!! Dr. NK Venkataramanaa BGS Global Institute of Neurosciences

Laugh Factory Hosts 6th Annual Laughter is Medicine for Children's Music Fund

 

The Laugh Factory Hosts 6th Annual ‘Laughter is Medicine’ Comedy Night Supporting Children’s Music Fund

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 10, 2015)–On March 12, 2015, the Children’s Music Fund (http://thecmf.org/) (CMF) will hold its 6th annual Laughter is Medicine benefit event at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, California. The event will include a line up with Dom Irrera, America’s Got Talent runner up Taylor Williamson, Moshe Kasher, Dan Adhoot and hosted by Sunda Croonquist.

The Laughter is Medicine event is one of the primary fundraisers for the CMF, which was established in 2002 by Dr. Raffi Tachdjian, an allergist and pediatric pain specialist.  

“Laughing, like music therapy,  releases  endorphins, which make us feel good, and relieve pain,” says Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, President and Founder of CMF.  “Research shows that music therapy can have a big impact on children who are hospitalized or suffering from serious illnesses.  It helps them build the confidence and positive attitude they need to get them through their difficult struggle. If you were in the hospital and facing painful procedure, wouldn't it be nice to have a music therapist and your own musical instrument to help you overcome the fear, the pain and the anxiety?"

Music therapy has a big impact on children who are hospitalized, it's simple, it works and it's a great complementary and alternative form of medicine 

- Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH 

“During our yearly ‘Laughter is Medicine’ event at the Laugh Factory, the average attendee spends 2 hours laughing away, attendees help CMF provide laughter, joy and melody to a child or young adult with a chronic illness.  It's simple, it works, it's a great complementary and alternative form of medicine,” adds Tachdjian.

Individual tickets to the Laughter is Medicine event are $50 for General Admission or $100 for Priority Admission and can be purchased by visiting http://www.laughfactory.com/clubs/hollywood/date/2015-03-12  Please contact Lesley on 310-428-0589 or lesley@thecmf.org for more information

About the Children’s Music Fund:

The Children’s Music Fund (CMF) is a national charity with a mission to provide music therapy and musical instruments to children and young adults with chronic or life-altering illnesses, and to support research on the effects of music therapy.   

###