Music Therapy Training Course

Music therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that uses music experiences within a planned professional relationship to support health and wellbeing. In health and social care, it is not simply about listening to music for enjoyment. It is a recognised form of psychological therapy delivered by a trained professional, with sessions shaped around assessed needs, agreed goals, and ongoing review.

This free music therapy online course introduces music therapy in the context of health and social care. It explains what music therapy is, how it works, who it may benefit, and how it fits within wider care planning. It also explores professional boundaries, person-centred practice, consent, safeguarding, and the role of music therapy across different care settings.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Music can be a powerful way to support communication, emotional expression, and wellbeing, especially when words are difficult. In health and social care, music therapy may help people who are distressed, withdrawn, isolated, or living with long-term conditions that affect communication, confidence, or daily functioning.

This course will help you to:

• Understand what music therapy is and how it differs from informal music activities.
• Recognise the purpose of music therapy in supporting emotional, social, and functional outcomes.
• Identify who may benefit from music therapy across the life course.
• Understand the role of the music therapist within health and social care teams.
• Explore how music may affect emotions, behaviour, and wellbeing.
• Learn about active and receptive music therapy approaches.
• Recognise the settings where music therapy is used, including health, social care, dementia care, and palliative care.
• Understand person-centred care, consent, confidentiality, and inclusion in music therapy practice.
• Recognise the boundaries of the music therapist’s role and how therapy links with other professional support.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define music therapy and explain its purpose.
• Identify who may benefit from music therapy in health and social care.
• Describe the role of a music therapist and how they work with other professionals.
• Outline the key principles of music therapy practice.
• Explain how music may affect emotions, behaviour, and wellbeing.
• Describe active and receptive music therapy approaches.
• Identify common music therapy activities and where they may be used.
• Explain how music therapy may support mental health, physical health, and rehabilitation.
• Recognise emotional, social, communication, cognitive, and quality of life benefits.
• Understand the importance of person-centred care, consent, confidentiality, equality, and safety in music therapy.

Music Therapy in Health and Social Care Course Outline

Module 1: Understanding Music Therapy
Learners will be introduced to music therapy as a structured therapeutic approach used within health and social care. This module explains how music therapy differs from general music listening or entertainment and explores its purpose in supporting emotional wellbeing, communication, expression, and day-to-day functioning. Learners will also identify who may benefit from music therapy and examine the role of the music therapist in assessment, care planning, delivery, review, and multidisciplinary working.

Module 2: Key Principles and Approaches in Music Therapy
This module explores the key principles that guide music therapy practice, including the importance of the therapeutic relationship, person-centred care, assessment, professionalism, accessibility, and inclusion. Learners will examine how music can affect emotions, behaviour, and wellbeing, and will be introduced to active and receptive approaches to music therapy. Common music therapy activities, such as improvisation, singing, rhythm work, song writing, relaxation, and guided listening, are also covered.

Module 3: Music Therapy in Health and Social Care Settings
Learners will explore the wide range of settings where music therapy may be used, including mental health services, hospitals, neuro-rehabilitation, palliative care, care homes, supported living, and services for people with learning disabilities or autism. This module explains how music therapy can support mental health, physical health, rehabilitation, and care across the life course, including work with children, adults, older people, and people receiving palliative care.

Module 4: Benefits and Outcomes of Music Therapy
This module focuses on the potential emotional, social, communication, cognitive, behavioural, and quality of life benefits of music therapy. Learners will examine how music therapy may support emotional expression, regulation, confidence, shared attention, turn-taking, memory, attention, reduced agitation, increased participation, and a greater sense of meaning and identity. The module emphasises that outcomes should be person-led, monitored carefully, and reviewed over time.

Module 5: Collaborative and Person-Centred Practice
Learners will explore how music therapists work alongside other professionals to provide joined-up, person-centred care. This module explains the importance of communication, multidisciplinary review, shared goals, and consistent support strategies. It also examines why person-centred care is central in music therapy, including understanding personal music history, supporting choice and control, adapting sessions for access, and reviewing plans when needs change.

Module 6: Professional Boundaries, Consent, Inclusion, and Safety
In the final module, learners will examine the boundaries of the music therapist’s role and the importance of consent, confidentiality, equality, diversity, and inclusion in music therapy practice. The module also outlines basic health and safety considerations, including infection prevention, risk assessment, sensory needs, equipment safety, and lone working procedures. Learners will understand how safe, ethical, and inclusive practice supports trust, dignity, and effective therapeutic work.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care workers.
• Care assistants and support workers.
• Nurses and allied health professionals.
• Activity coordinators and wellbeing staff.
• Managers and supervisors in care settings.
• Staff working in dementia care, mental health, learning disability, rehabilitation, and palliative care services.
• Anyone who wants to understand the role of music therapy in care practice.

No previous knowledge of music therapy is required.

FAQ

Is music therapy the same as playing background music in a care setting?
No. Music therapy is a structured therapeutic intervention delivered by a trained professional. It is different from general music activities or background music for atmosphere.

Who can benefit from music therapy?
Music therapy can support children, adults, and older people, including people with mental health needs, dementia, learning disabilities, autism, neurological conditions, or palliative care needs.

Is music therapy used in the NHS and social care services?
Yes. Music therapy is used in a range of health and social care settings in England, although availability depends on local services and referral pathways.

Does someone need musical ability to take part?
No. Music therapy is based on therapeutic need, not musical skill.

How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hour to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.

Is the course CPD accredited?
Courses are not currently CPD accredited, but accreditation is planned.

Music therapy can support communication, emotional expression, comfort, and connection in ways that are highly meaningful for people who use services. By understanding how it works and where it fits within care, health and social care workers can better recognise its value and support person-centred practice.

Enrol now to build your understanding of music therapy in health and social care.