About the American Music Therapy Association

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) strives to advance the use of music in assisting people in a variety of rehabilitative, educational and community settings. Training, credentials, research and a concentrated focus in music therapy are the goals of the AMTA.

Purpose

The American Music Therapy Association was established to uphold the professionalism of the music therapy profession. With a Board of Directors in place, the AMTA oversees numerous committees, including those related to approval of academic programs, research, clinical practice, professional advocacy and more.

Membership

Membership in the American Music Therapy Association falls into a number of categories. At present, AMTA membership stands at several thousand individuals ranging from professionals to students, retired individuals, patrons and more. The organization is funded by payment of membership dues, charitable donations, product sales and publication sales.

Function

The AMTA conducts quality assurance reviews through a variety of programs that address standards of ethics and practice, as well as peer review. The qualification of music therapists, however, is conducted through a separate organization called the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Through annual conferences, AMTA conducts the business of the organization, hosting professional presentations. Regional conferences are also held annually.

Publications

The publications of the American Music Therapy Association include Music Therapy Matters, which is a quarterly newsletter. The Journal of Music Therapy is a research-based publication that circulates on a quarterly basis. Music Therapy Perspectives is yet another publication of the AMTA that is practice-based and published twice a year.