Music therapy is a discipline in which credentialed professionals (Music Therapist Accredited/MTA) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being .

MTAs use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social and spiritual domains.

- Canadian Association for Music Therapists Vancouver, 2016

Music therapy is evidence-based and research-informed.

Music therapists have specific education on how the various properties of music affect all aspects of health.

Music therapists set goals and objectives and follow a treatment plan.

The therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist contributes to the change and attainment of goals.

Music is used as a means to substantial, and often permanent, non-musical treatment outcomes.

- Canadian Association for Music Therapists 

This means, in sessions, we might make music together, sing together,  listen to music together or write music together, but never for the purpose of becoming better at music, but rather, becoming better humans. While doing so, we will explore your feelings and concerns and creatively express your feelings and concerns. The music therapist guides you every step of the way and can teach you how to make music and write, even if you've never done it before. In fact, most clients of Music Therapy are not musicians and have never thought of themselves as musical. If you enjoy music, Music Therapy will work for you.  

Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Registered Psychotherapists work with individuals, couples and families in individual and group settings. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.

- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario

It means, if you are willing to work at it, the therapist will show you ways to shift your thinking from negative thoughts to positive thoughts. The therapist will show you how to be in the present moment and learn to accept things for the way they are. You will learn how to notice and shift your feelings. Psychotherapy can incorporate any form of expressive communication, it doesn't have to just be talking. Maybe talking is not your thing,....this is where the combination of psychotherapy and music can be really great. You can feel and respond through music, not just through words.