Encouragingly, when asked about the areas they felt Music Therapy could help with, 71% of respondents believe Music Therapy is designed to support everyone, suggesting widespread belief in its inclusivity and applicability. Anxiety (59%), stress management (59%), and depression (54%) were the most commonly selected -affirming public recognition of Music Therapy’s relevance to mental wellbeing.
The majority of respondents selected that Music Therapy helps people relax (81%), provides non-verbal therapeutic support (70%), and can help redirect focus away from difficult feelings (70%). Nearly half (49%) disagreed with the statement that “it isn’t proper therapy” - a promising sign that the public is beginning to accept and recognise Music Therapy as a legitimate psychological intervention, but highlights that we do need to continue to win over the other 51%. This comprised 4% who would strongly agree and 13% who would tend to agree, while 12% said they didn’t know and 23% would neither agree nor disagree.
Encouragingly, the survey showed that Music Therapy was scored as the fifth most heard of therapy (42%), after counselling (78%), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (62%), Psychotherapy (59%) and Hypnotherapy (59%).
However, the findings also reveal key challenges. Among respondents unlikely to consider Music Therapy, the most-cited reason (33%) was: “I don't know enough about it.” This was followed by uncertainty about how to access Music Therapy (23%) and confusion about what it would involve (22%). While 45% of all respondents said they would be likely to consider using Music Therapy, these gaps in knowledge show that barriers to access remain prominent.
When asked where they believe Music Therapy can be accessed, the top answers were community organisations or charities (33%), the NHS (31%), and private practitioners (30%). Still, these figures indicate that more clarity is needed around referral routes and service availability. This would be significantly improved by more inclusion in NICE and SIGN guidelines, to increase this we must produce more research that meets the NICE and SIGN thresholds for acceptance.
Andrew Langford, BAMT’s Chief Executive, commented: “For the Music Therapy community, this survey reinforces what many of us already believe to be true: the public is open to Music Therapy, but many are still unsure of how to access it. This highlights the critical need for continued awareness-raising, education, and visibility - not just about what Music Therapy is, but how people can access and benefit from it. BAMT will continue to develop the promotion and marketing of Music Therapy to the public and also those who can support, commission or develop opportunities for more Music Therapy, including politicians, commissioners, other health, social care, and education staff etc.”
Results overview
Based on an Ipsos survey of 2,173 UK adults (ages 16–75):
Strong Public Support
- 72% believe Music Therapy is designed to support everyone
- 59% say it could help with anxiety and stress management
- 54% say it could help with depression
Perceived benefits of Music Therapy:
- 81% agree it helps people relax
- 70% agree it offers non-verbal therapy
- 70% agree it helps people divert focus from difficult feelings
- 49% disagreed with the idea that it "isn't proper therapy" (while only 17% agreed or would tend to agree)
Where people think they can access Music Therapy:
- 33%: Community organisations or charities
- 31%: The NHS
- 30%: Private practitioners
- 28%: Online resources or private healthcare
Why some people wouldn’t consider Music Therapy:
Among those unlikely to try Music Therapy:
- 33%: "I don’t know enough about it"
- 23%: "Not sure where to access it"
- 22%: "Not sure what it would involve"
This report drives BAMT’s commitment to raising awareness of Music Therapy as a practice and a profession, and clarifying access and availability.