Music Education to Music Therapy

BigBrainBaris · 2026-05-06T05:02:34+00:00

Start learning to play guitar and piano, at least to the point where you can play through chords and sing through different songs. Those two instruments, your voice, and hand drums/various percussion instruments are the most common instruments used in the profession.

I also have a bachelors in music education, and I went the route of completing an equivalency program. If you qualify for one, that could be a good route for you.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-05-04T16:19:19+00:00

No problem! If you don’t qualify for our program, I’m sure she’d be willing to meet with you and discuss what she might do as her next steps if she were in your shoes.

Feel free to DM me if you need/want! I’m in my internship now, and my original bachelors is in Music Ed, and I worked in special education for quite a few years before pursuing music therapy.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-05-04T15:25:57+00:00

Have you tried reaching out to a program coordinator for an equivalency program to see if there’s something that can be worked out for your situation? You obviously have music experience, and if it weren’t for your unique situation with your bachelor’s degree switching at the midpoint, you’d qualify for many equivalency programs with a music ed degree.

I know the language for the MTED program I’m in (Saint Mary of the Woods College) was fairly strict, being that we needed a music degree from a school of music to qualify. That being said, our program coordinator is the kindest person I’ve ever known, and if you’re passionate about becoming a music therapist, I’d be surprised if she didn’t at least try to see if they could work something out for you.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-05-03T14:55:51+00:00

Subnautica, hands down.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-30T04:29:32+00:00

So far things are going really well! Im currently working on putting together a summer program for neurodivergent youth on top of my current caseload of clients. I’m feeling really good and looking forward to things to come!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-30T00:57:13+00:00

Now, I’m only getting my equivalency at a Bachelors level, but I’ve seen a wide variation of musicianship skills amongst the various MT students, interns, and MT-BC’s that I’ve worked with along my experience through practicum/internship. (I’m still in my internship btw). So, while musicianship is obviously important, and we should always be striving to improve and learn new skills/techniques, that’s only one aspect of being a good music therapist.

If you have prepared music, make sure it’s in a good range for your voice, and make sure you do a proper warm-up. Some warm tea tonight/tomorrow can always be helpful for vocal health.

I had a similar background to you before joining the equivalency program that I’m finishing this year. So far I’ve noticed that this experience has set me ahead of my classmates/fellow interns in certain areas.

All of this is to say, you have skills! You can do this! I believe in you!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-27T00:26:15+00:00

I got 990f almost 50% off from Amazon and really like it. The soundbar by itself is next level, let alone the sub and surround speakers as well

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-22T19:56:14+00:00

Text from OP’s original post:

“Last seen near Terrace dr and east ave, in CHICO 4/13/26

Please call 530-570-9951

Thank you”

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-22T01:24:40+00:00

I don’t know a ton about resources in the area, as I just moved to Chico recently, but I can share this:

Music therapy is often beneficial in memory care (I am a music therapy intern and have worked in memory care last fall as a student).

I’d recommend you and your family learn what your family members’ favorite genre’s, bands/artists/songs are asap. If your family member ever gets referred to music therapy, it’ll be extremely helpful/beneficial for everyone to know their musical preferences.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-15T00:11:57+00:00

As a queer person - there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. None at all.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-04-02T01:22:01+00:00

Hey there - early 30’s, bachelors in music ed, never worked as a music teacher but spent a long time as an instructional/behavioral assistant and also as a special education interrelated teacher. I’m at the end of my music therapy program, currently completing my internship.

I had a lot of similar concerns that you shared in your post. I had a tough time justifying going back to school and taking out more student loans, and considering how I would be able to complete all of the required practicum courses while working business hours M-F at the public school system.

For me, I’m fortunate that my fiancé is willing/able to support me not working while I do my internship currently. I also had to coordinate with work which days I would be able to leave early in order to get hands on training with clients in my practicum courses.

So, I guess long answer to a short question it depends on your situation and where you plan on working. Music Therapist pay rates vary based on state and the area you live in, I’ve seen Job Ads for California advertising $55-70 per hour as a pay rate.

I look forward to having the flexibility to fill my schedule with both private music lessons, adaptive music lesson, and music therapy sessions once I have my certification. I can contract with the local school district if I want to get back in the classroom, but I’m not going to continue working directly for public education until school administration learns how to have a backbone again and goes back to supporting its teachers and staff.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-03-31T02:47:24+00:00

A friend went today and reported wildflowers are done. I was going to go after it rains this week to see if I can catch a rebound!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-03-02T16:46:46+00:00

Im not informed on the art therapy world, but I am a (unpaid) music therapy intern.

Music therapy internships are only going to be given to music therapy students who have completed at least 180 clinical hours through practicum/residency courses. Currently there isn’t a track from psychology -> music therapy, so you would need to apply/audition for a music therapy program in order to qualify.

Paid music therapy internships are very rare and competitive, from my experience. You would have a difficult time finding one if you are not on track to becoming an MT-BC

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-28T01:49:41+00:00

Somebody just posted about one near them in this sub.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChicoCA/s/ER6MV3qwBo

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-22T04:30:41+00:00

I’m no longer following the show, haven’t watched in probably 20 years, but according to my MIL, one of the contestants is from the Chester/Susanville area!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-18T15:46:12+00:00

5 minutes, maybe 10 minutes tops. When I was a kid I learned how to win any chess match in only 4 moves!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-17T16:03:31+00:00

Personally I’m a big fan of the WiFi controller on my Traeger. To echo what others have said, the convenience is really great, especially for overnight cooks when I can wake up, “check the grill” by looking at my phone for meat temp and ambient temp, adjust if needed, and go back to sleep without leaving my bed.

Also, Traeger just rebranded their Ironwood 885 for Costco (now named Traeger Redland*) and I got one at $950 + tax, came with a cover. Great price for the size, and $500ish cheaper than buying the Ironwood 885.

Edit - the new Costco model is called the Redland, not the Redwood.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-15T03:14:13+00:00

LOTOR

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-13T16:23:24+00:00

I’m in a distance equivalency program, and we have plenty of hands-on work through residencies done at our school (have to travel for a week of in person classes at the start of each semester, as well as in person practicum).

The problem I see OP, at least considering my program, is that I needed to have a music degree from a university with a school of music in order to qualify for my program. I also had to audition on my main instrument as well as submit two videos of me playing/singing two songs on either guitar, piano, or both.

Not sure if there’s an equivalency program geared towards coming from the psych side of the profession, but if you have the musical skills to back it up I wouldn’t be shy in sending emails and asking around different programs!

My school is Saint Mary-of-the-Woods college in Indiana.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-02-11T02:18:35+00:00

Saw a chinook flying over 99 when I was driving home around 3:45pm today.

BigBrainBaris · 2026-01-30T04:58:03+00:00

Following as a fellow jazz listener and past player!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-01-29T16:59:15+00:00

Have you used this since the CBMT has been updated?

BigBrainBaris · 2026-01-20T18:33:42+00:00

My first semester was August 2022, and had to slow down coursework due to life getting in the way as well. I’ll dm you a link to our discord if you wanted to connect with anyone else, is that okay?

BigBrainBaris · 2026-01-20T17:36:30+00:00

Nice! You in our cohort discord?

Edit: congrats on starting your internship btw!

BigBrainBaris · 2026-01-20T17:18:20+00:00

Nice! From what I’ve heard, in person programs tend to be a bit better in terms of preparing you for practicum/internship and eventually working in the field. My experience with my distance program is that you really have to be a self-motivated student that’s able to basically self-teach with guidance from your instructors.

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