1. What is state recognition? How does the lack of state recognition harm the field of music therapy?
State recognition is defined as the importance of a state to recognize the credential, MT-BC, required to practice music therapy. This ensures that the music therapist is board certified-protects those seeking music therapy from individuals who are not certified music therapists-and allows anyone in need, access to the services that music therapists can provide. Gaining access is determined by the state agencies, which require “service providers to be state-recognized.” According to the Certification Board for Music Therapists, it is rather difficult to get reimbursements for music therapy from insurance companies because of the lack of state recognition. In addition, because of the lack of state recognition, there isn’t awareness of it in the medical field. Due to this issue, the professionals in the field may have a difficult time finding jobs.
2. What is being done on the national level to promote state recognition?
The Certification Board for Music Therapists takes into account all that is being done on the national level to promote state recognition. For one, there has been a shift in the way in which professional qualifications are established; it is no longer the federal agencies that decide the qualifications necessary to be a music therapist, rather this decision is now in the hands of the state agencies. It is for this reason that state recognition is vital. In order for someone to receive such treatment, music therapy must be recognized by the state as a profession. National organizations provide an outline of the requirements that are necessary for a music therapist to practice in the field (with various healthcare facilities). This is done to ensure that the individual does indeed have the credentials that the state requires. Once there is state recognition of the MT-BC credential, they will be capable of distinguishing between music therapy and other creative kinds of therapy.
3. How can we, the general public, help in bringing about state recognition?
Seeing all the benefits of music therapy makes us question what we can do to help bring about state recognition. The first extremely important step is educating the public about the emerging field and all that it has to offer. Once people know about the field, they can advocate for state recognition through the social media. Individuals can share information about the field, advocate about what the State Recognition Operational Plan is, and include other people in the way they too can get involved, thereby making them a part of the social media advocacy program. In addition, as mentioned by Ellen Whealton, sending letters to the state legislatures is also helpful in advocating for the field.
