Abstract
Music therapy is an emerging alternative or complementary therapy seeking to
establish a standard of practice through evidence-based research. Concurrently, alternative
sound/music healing methods are emerging which create confusion and competition for
consumers, medical personnel and facility administrators. This study describes the extent to
which Board Certified Music Therapists (MT-BCs) use alternative sound/music healing
methods and the influence that personal factors might have on MT-BCs’ practices and
attitudes toward these methods. The study employed a web-based survey designed by the
researcher and conducted on surveymonkey.com. The participants were MT-BCs whose
email addresses were made available by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. The
survey yielded a 37% response rate with 1004 respondents.
By margin of 2:1, respondents favored further research and training in alterative
sound/music techniques. Further, current use of alternative techniques may be summarized
as: (1) The number of years in practice seems to have no bearing on whether a MT-BC uses
or embraces alternative sound/music techniques, and (2) There is evidence suggesting that
the Mid-Atlantic and Western regions have a greater tendency to use alternative sound/music
techniques. A majority of respondents (76%) report they never collaborate with alternative
sound/music practitioners in their work, and nearly one-half perceive some threat to the
employment of music therapists from alternative practitioners. Areas of interest for future
research and training are discussed, as well as implications for trends of practice in music
therapy.
