While Music Therapy is a relatively young field in comparison to other healing professions, over the past 40 years our national certification board for music therapists has worked to create both educational and ethical standards for those that would claim the title of Board-Certified Music Therapist. 

In our work as music therapists, we see every day the tremendous effect that music can have on our clients and patients to help them achieve their goals and improve their lives. However, music can also cause harm, and our training as MTs helps us to navigate unexpected responses and help our clients and patients return to a place of safety. 

It is currently legal for anyone in Virginia to call themselves a music therapist despite not having any training or certification as such (and more importantly, not being beholden to a licensing body in the case of unethical behavior). State licensure will ensure that Virginians seeking music therapy services will be treated by qualified professionals who are beholden to ethical standards and requisite training and education. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Catherine Backus, MT-BC