Will AI Replace Music Therapists?

Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.

interpersonal — Psychological therapy requires live human therapeutic presence

Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.

physical manipulation — Live musical performance is embodied

Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.

interpersonal — Rapport and emotional support require live human presence

Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.

decision support — Medical plans need exam, liability, and clinical judgment

Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.

decision support — Goal drafting aided; accountability rests with clinician

Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.

text generation — Summarize diagnostic and care activities into reports

Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.

decision support — Functional assessment aided by data, exam human

Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.

interpersonal — Patient history requires live elicitation and judgment

Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.

information retrieval — History extraction aided; patient interaction human

Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Engage clients in music experiences to identify client responses to different styles of music, types of musical experiences, such as improvising or listening, or elements of music, such as tempo or harmony.

interpersonal — Psychological therapy requires live human therapeutic presence

Participate in continuing education.

information retrieval — AI summarizes medical updates; human retains judgment

Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.

information retrieval — Relaying results is structured; interpretation stays human

Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Confer with professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.

interpersonal — Treatment planning collaboration is accountable clinical work

Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.

physical manipulation — Instrument tuning requires hands-on adjustment

Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.

physical manipulation — Hands-on emergency resuscitation and physical intervention

Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for therapy.

decision support — Treatment goals need clinical accountability and context

Collaborate with others to design or implement interdisciplinary treatment programs.

interpersonal — Clinical handoff carries accountability and nuance

Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.

text generation — Health messaging drafted by AI; public delivery human

Apply selected research findings to practice.

information retrieval — AI summarizes medical updates; human retains judgment

Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.

data analysis — Quantitative treatment efficacy analysis; researcher verifies

Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.

interpersonal — Patient care supervision is live clinical leadership

Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.

decision support — Treatment guidance aided; clinical accountability human

Adapt existing or develop new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.

decision support — Assessment methods drafted; clinical validation human

Apply current technology to music therapy practices.

decision support — Draft non-medical plans; clinician validates and owns

Conduct, or assist in the conduct of, music therapy research.

information retrieval — Literature review aided; wet-lab and clinical research human