1. “Music Therapy just means listening to music or playing someone a song”
This is probably the most widespread myth. Many people assume Music Therapy is as simple as choosing a soothing playlist or playing background music to calm someone down. In reality, Music Therapy is an interactive, relational, and often improvisational process. It is an established psychological clinical intervention, supported by a wealth of evidence. It’s not about music being done to someone, but music being created with someone, in the moment.
“In my practice, Music Therapy is always about shared music-making — and it’s about the client’s music-making first and foremost ” – Bo Keeney, Music Therapist
2. “Music Therapists just perform and sing at people to make them feel better”
Another common misunderstanding is that the Music Therapist’s role is to perform for the client. While the experience may be moving or even soothing at times, Music Therapy is not entertainment — and the therapist isn’t a performer. Instead, therapists aim to build a trusting relationship using music as a co-created, expressive medium.
“It’s probably one of the biggest myths that Music Therapists simply provide music for wellbeing. I’d encourage people to ask: What can music be? What can therapy be? Music Therapists find creative ways to merge the two.”– Bo Keeney, Music Therapist
3. “It’s all lullabies and recorded music in medical settings”
In neonatal care and hospital environments, there can be an assumption that Music Therapy simply means playing soft songs or recorded lullabies. But that’s far from the full picture.
“Actually, we mean using any sound or song to communicate with baby and support them — letting them know someone is with them and celebrating who they are… anything that is meaningful to that family!” – Kirsty Jane, Music Therapist
This might include reading stories, using prayer, or recreating familiar sounds from home. It’s always tailored, always meaningful, and always collaborative.
4. “It’s much like being in a music lesson with a Music Teacher”
These professions are both important, and very different. Music Therapist Hugh Anderson explains the difference:
“The core aims of Music Therapy are generally emotional wellbeing, psychological growth and improving quality of life. Music Therapists are trained in a range of different developmental and psychological theories, e.g Freud, Winnicott, Ainsworth, Maslow), and when someone accesses Music Therapy, it is usually because there is a challenge in their life, such as processing difficult events, understanding and living with complex conditions, feeling emotionally and socially isolated, for which they need support.
By contrast, generally the aims of music lessons or music tuition are music-based. The teacher is more likely to take on a more direct role, offering specific advice and tools to develop instrumental or vocal techniques. The bi-product of this may be of great benefit to wellbeing and mental health, but it’s not necessarily at the forefront of the teacher’s aims.”
Visit Hugh’s own blog on Music Therapy myths to see examples of how approaches in Music Therapy and music lessons might be different.
5. “All Music Therapists do the same thing”
Just like in psychotherapy or counselling, there are many different approaches, modalities, methods, and philosophies in Music Therapy. Therapists draw from a wide range of clinical models, and many specialise further as they develop their practice. You might hear terms like Neurologic Music Therapy, Guided Imagery in Music, Trauma-Informed Practices, EMDR, Neonatal Music Therapy or Dyadic Music Therapy, to name a few.
Neurologic Music Therapist Clare Maddocks shared how surprised people can be to hear that Music Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach:
“Some people assume I use one particular song with a client group every time — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
In adoption and attachment-based work, for example, dyadic work — where therapist, child, and caregiver engage together — is especially important. Supporting these relationships is central to long-term therapeutic change, and Music Therapy plays a powerful role here.
6. “You have to be musical to benefit from Music Therapy”
This isn’t the case. You don’t need any musical background, skill, or knowledge to take part. In fact, many Service Users might never have touched an instrument before their first session. Music Therapy is about expression, connection, and communication — not performance or proficiency.
7. “Music Therapy is only for children, elderly people, or people with additional needs”
While Music Therapy is often associated with children, older people or neurodivergent individuals, Music Therapy benefits people across the lifespan — from premature babies in incubators to people living with dementia, those recovering from trauma, or even in end-of-life care. It’s a profession that adapts to context, and supports people with a wide variety of physical, emotional, psychological, or social needs.
8. “Anyone musical can be a Music Therapist”
Music Therapists are trained Allied Health Professionals, registered by the HCPC in the UK, with specific postgraduate training. Being a good musician is just one piece of the puzzle — therapeutic understanding, clinical experience, and reflective practice are just as vital.
In summary…
Music Therapy is a rich, diverse, evidence-based profession with as many approaches as there are clients. It’s not about playing background music or performing songs — it’s about relationship, attunement, expression, and emotional exploration.
So, next time someone says something false or inaccurate about Music Therapy, or perhaps they say, “Oh, you’re a Music Therapist? That must mean you play relaxing music all day,” ...feel free to direct them to this blog!
Thank you to all the Music Therapists who contributed their perspectives.