overview
Music Therapy is a professional health discipline that uses the clinical application of music to non-musical therapeutic interventions.  Music therapy treatment techniques encourage positive change in cognitive, physical, social, and psychological needs of individuals.  When applied by the trained practitioner, these scientifically-based music therapy techniques motivate, provide timing cues, and create structure; aiding people of all ages in reaching their goals through their strengths and abilities.

training
Music therapists are required to hold a baccalaureate degree in music therapy from one of the 70 approved university programs.  Music therapists receive training in music, music theory, psychology, anatomy, social sciences, acoustics, human development, special education, and music therapy.  A six-month clinical training internship must be completed before taking the national board certification exam that is regulated by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.  The credentials of MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified) are earned after passing the exam.  Board Certified Music Therapists are required to complete at least 100 continuing education credits or sit for a re-certification exam every five years.

N.M.T
Neurologic Music Therapy Training is offered by the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University.  Upon completion of the training course, the credentials of NMT are awarded.  Fellows of the Robert F. Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy are awarded this designation after a panel of NMTs review and critique video of clinical application of at least three NMT techniques. 

treatment
Summit Music Therapy utilizes the Transformational Design Model (Thaut, 2000) in all areas of treatment in order to facilitate non-musical functional outcomes:

--diagnostic and functional assessment of the client
--development of therapeutic goals / objectives
--design of functional, nonmusical therapeutic exercises and stimuli
--translation of step three into functional, therapeutic music experiences transfer of therapeutic learning to real-world applications

Transformational Design Model for Functional Music Therapy Practice. Thaut, MH (2000). A scientific model of music therapy and medicine. San Antonio : MRI