The American Music Therapy Association

1. The American Music Therapy Association The Harmony and Connection of AMTA Membership

2. The Mission of AMTA To advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.

3. Background • Founded in 1998 through the unification of the National Association of Music Therapy (est. 1950) and the American Association of Music Therapy (est. 1971). • More people come to know about music therapy through the work of AMTA. • AMTA builds public awareness of the profession through its website, media articles, research dissemination, and therapist referrals.

4. AMTA Structure The work of the association is done by members

5. Offices in AMTA • Members • Board of Directors • Council on Continuing Education & Clinical Training • Committees • Council on Professional Practices • Committees • Council on Association Services • Committees • Executive Director • National Office Staff • Assembly of Delegates • Ad-hoc committees • Boards • Regions

6. Council on Education & Clinical Training Contains the following Committees: • Academic Program Approval • Association Internship Approval • Continuing Education

7. Council on Education & Clinical Training Academic Program Approval Committee GOALS: • To support the establishment and maintenance of standards of excellence for education and clinical training in the field through collaboration with appropriate association bodies (e.g. other national committees and the Education and Training Advisory Board). • To utilize these standards as evaluative criteria for recommending approval for academic institutions upon initial application and review, and every ten years thereafter in conjunction with the NASM accreditation/affirmation review.

8. Council on Education & Clinical Training Association Internship Approval Committee GOALS: • To establish, maintain and improve standards for the training of music therapists participating in AMTA programs on the National Internship Roster. • To encourage and assist persons in their clinical preparation for music therapy practice.

9. Council on Education & Clinical Training Continuing Education Committee GOALS: • To ensure that the continuing education courses offered by AMTA adhere to the guidelines established by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. • To promote the value of board certification and strive to provide continuing education opportunities that meet the educational needs of the members of AMTA.

10. Council on Association Services Contains the following Committees: • Affiliate Relations • Employment & Public Relations • International Relations • Membership • Professional Advocacy • Special Target Populations

11. Council on Association Services Affiliate Relations Committee GOALS: • To interpret the music therapy profession to other professionals, disciplines and organizations in the United States. • To interpret attitudes and opinions of these groups toward the music therapy profession and its services. • To identify, encourage, maintain and make recommendations regarding relationships between AMTA and other professional organizations.

12. Council on Association Services Employment & Public Relations Committee GOAL: • To facilitate the dissemination of accurate and up-to-date information on music therapy to members and consumers of AMTA.

13. Council on Association Services International Relations Committee GOALS: • To facilitate awareness of international opportunities and events by AMTA members, and the inclusion of international perspectives of music therapy in AMTA. • To assist the President of AMTA with matters concerning the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), such as facilitating communication and the distribution of information as well as suggesting the names of appropriate AMTA members who might fill WFMT council membership positions.

14. Council on Association Services International Relations Committee (continued) • To assist international students. • To collaborate with the AMTA Vice President (conference chair) to identify a local group or performer who would make a musical presentation representing a diverse ethnic music tradition and provide a workshop experience in the basic techniques of that musical genre. • To facilitate awareness of music therapy among disciplines, organization and professionals in other countries.

15. Council on Association Services Membership Committee GOALS: • To insure the growth and development of AMTA by determining ways to increase membership. • To promote the value of all categories of AMTA membership. • To evaluate the needs of AMTA members.

16. Council on Association Services Professional Advocacy Committee GOALS: • To advocate for the professional representation of the field of music therapy. • To assist membership in responding to misrepresentation of music therapy in the media and the public.

17. Council on Association Services Special Target Populations Committee GOALS: • To provide coordination for networking opportunities among practitioners of special target populations, between committees and with professionals in related fields.

18. Council on Professional Practice Contains the following Committees: • Government Relations • Reimbursement • Research • Standards of Clinical Practice • Communication and Technology

19. Council on Professional Practice Government Relations Committee GOALS: • To increase access to quality music therapy services through monitoring and responding to state and federal legislation that impacts music therapy practice and/or impacts healthcare and education service delivery to current and future music therapy clients.

20. Council on Professional Practice Reimbursement Committee GOAL: • To increase access to music therapy services by increasing the percentage of music therapy services receiving reimbursement.

21. Council on Professional Practice Research Committee GOALS: • To take complete responsibility for the research sessions at national conferences. • To encourage and promote research of all types of research methodology in music therapy.

22. Council on Professional Practice Standards of Clinical Practice Committee GOAL: • To develop, assess, and update the AMTA Standards of Clinical Practice.

23. Council on Professional Practice Communication and Technology Committee GOALS: • To educate the AMTA on the current technology practices of its membership and promote technology-related events at conferences; • To support the membership of the AMTA in their uses of technology.

24. AMTA Membership Categories • Professional • Associate • Student • Graduate Student • Inactive • Retired • Honorary Life/Life • Affiliate/Educational Affiliate • Patron

25. Professional Membership • For practicing music therapists and interested professionals • Receives the most member benefits and privileges • Receives all publications (Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, Music Therapy Matters, AMTA Sourcebook) • Access to the Member Area of website • Voting and office holding privileges • Regional membership included for those who reside in one of AMTA’s 7 regions • Other discounts and benefits

26. Associate Membership • For non-music therapists who want to support the mission of AMTA • Professional level, non-music therapist membership • Same benefits of membership as Professional but does not include the right to vote and hold office • Associate members are also members of regions

27. Student/Graduate Student Membership • For full-time students • Member benefits (journals, mailings) are the same as Professional - at less than half the cost - with the exception of holding office on AMTA committees and voting in national elections • Can sit on AMTA committees as a Student Liaison or Representative • Can run for and hold office and vote in AMTAS (student organization) elections • Student/Grad. Student members of AMTA are automatically members of AMTAS as well as the region in which they reside

28. Other membership categories • Retired – must be of legal retirement age • Inactive – for professional music therapists who are not currently working due to illness, job loss, raising a family, etc. (must meet criteria and apply each year) • Patron – for organizations, institutions, agencies, foundations • Affiliate – for schools and service providing institutions. For institutions that have AMTA-approved programs a special designation of “Educational Affiliate” is available

29. AMTAS (American Music Therapy Association Students) • Student organization within AMTA • Student and Graduate Student members are automatically members of AMTAS when they join AMTA. • Over 1000 student members comprise 1/3 of the AMTA membership • Student/Graduate Student members may vote and hold office within AMTAS • Student Affairs Advisory Board (SAAB) and student liaisons to professional committees provide representation as non-voting members.

30. AMTAS Mission On a global level, AMTAS will increase awareness, involvement, and knowledge of music therapy students by fostering communication and growth in preparation for a professional career.

31. Regional Membership • 7 regions: Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western • AMTA members are automatically members of the region (determined by the mailing address that they provide to AMTA) • A portion of AMTA dues goes to each region for regional costs and activities. • If you move to a new regional area, your regional membership will change when you update your mailing address with AMTA’s national office.

32. Benefits for Students Using your AMTA membership to aid your transition to Professional Music Therapist

33. AMTA Sourcebook • Listings of AMTA approved schools and internship sites • Average salaries and demographic information to help you set fees and negotiate salaries when you start a job • Networking – lists of professionals working in a specific population or setting or area of the country • Official documents with which all members should be familiar: Code of Ethics, Standards of Clinical Practice, etc.

34. AMTA Scholarshipsfor Students and Interns • E. Thayer Gaston Writing Competitionawards $500 for undergraduate students • Edwina Eustis Dick Scholarshipawards $500 for Music Therapy Interns • Brian Smith Memorial Scholarshipawards $500 for Music Therapy Interns pursuing training in chemical dependency or adolescent programs • Regional Scholarships and Awards– many regions have additional funds for student and intern scholarships – check with a regional representative in your area or the regional website for more information

35. Publications Most AMTA member categories receive all of the following publications: • Journal of Music Therapy – 4 issues/year with a focus on current music therapy research and theory • Music Therapy Perspectives – 2 issues/year with a focus on music therapy practice, as well as on academics and administration • Music Therapy Matters – 4+ issues/year. AMTA’s newsletter focuses on business and activities, current happenings and events, employment trends and opportunities, and topical items of general interest about music therapy • AMTA Sourcebook – 1 issue/year. Provides valuable employment data and facilitates the formation of networks. Published in late Summer each year for the most complete information and membership directory.

36. Discounts AMTA members enjoy discounts on a variety of products and publications including: • AMTA products (40% or more discount on most items) • Books (students may purchase AMTA-published textbooks through AMTA at the member discount rather than at your school bookstore price) • AMTA national conference registration • AMTA regional conference registration

37. Networking and Communication • Mentorship/networking with others who are working – how to start a private practice, best interventions with specific populations, best place to purchase instruments, etc. • Attending regional and national conferences - helps you get to know students at other schools and develop a peer network • Conferences - great opportunities to meet prospective clinical training directors and employers • Labels and Lists - Members can purchase (at more than 50% discount) mailing lists of members to conduct surveys and gather information for research, etc.

38. AMTA Website www.musictherapy.org • Educates the public about music therapy • AMTA’s advocacy work means that you have to answer the question ‘what is music therapy’ less often! • Conference and association business updates • Legislative updates and calls-for-action • Internship and recruitment page listings

39. Member Area of Website Join AMTA and get a user name and password to enter • AMTA Member Handbook • AMTA Professional Opportunities listing • Resources for private practice • Government relations updates • Committee pages – with updates on the committee work and information and links to related organizations • Music Therapy Matters • Scholarship and Award information • Lists of committees and contact information

40. Benefits for Interns Music Therapy Interns enjoy all of the benefits that their AMTA membership category provides. Interns may join AMTA as a Professional member if they choose, but as an additional assistance, Student membership is extended to potential members while they are completing an internship in music therapy, even though they may not be enrolled in a university program full time.

41. Benefits for Interns • Low cost “Student” membership available while you are an intern • Listing AMTA membership on a resume shows commitment to the profession and knowledge of the latest trends • Access to the Member Area for job opportunities • Referral lists of qualified members are provided to consumers seeking music therapy services • CD-ROM for research (over 50% member discount) • Use the Sourcebook to network with others working with the same population, setting or geographical area, starting a private practice, etc. • Student and Intern Scholarship opportunities

42. More Benefits for Interns “Welcome to the Profession” Packet • Apply in the 3rd month of your internship • Must have internship supervisor sign and fill out form completely • Information for new professionals about finding a job • Free sample brochures and articles • Includes coupons: • $70 off of first year of Professional membership! • $50 off national conference registration fees • Free choice of product from AMTA Catalog

43. Benefits for Professionals Membership helps both new and seasoned professionals to stay connected and enhance your practice of music therapy, whether looking for a job, starting a new job, working in a facility where music therapy is established, or starting and growing a private practice.

44. Benefits for New Professionals • Sourcebook – stay in touch with friends from school, network with other professionals in your same setting or population, negotiate with facility administrators for new jobs in music therapy using Statistical Information section • Additional Continuing Education opportunities – dispersed through ENews, Regions, Regional and national websites, listservs • Vote in national/regional elections, serve on committees, hold office • Learn about trends in the profession – reimbursement, new treatment interventions, ways to work with populations, etc • Committee work – supports you in your practice of music therapy

45. Benefits for New Professionals • Liability insurance offered to members through HPSO • MBNA offers a “Music Therapy” credit card and 2% of all purchases made go to AMTA to support its mission and fund additional programs and benefits • Potential job contacts – qualified members’ information is included on referral lists given to consumers seeking music therapy services • Public education materials such as AMTA brochures, “Music Therapy Makes a Difference” (general information brochure) and “Resources & Trends in Music Therapy Reimbursement” (information about funding music therapy services) available at low cost.

46. Benefits for New Professionals • National office staff available to help with questions: private practice, reimbursement, starting a new program, letters of support, etc. • Committee chairs and members in the Sourcebook can also be contacted for specific questions • Continuing Education opportunities – to gain credits for MT-BC recertification • All members offered a complimentary subscription to Music Therapy ENews, AMTA’s electronic newsletter, for timely information about related conferences, new items, and opportunities

47. Professional Scholarships and Awards • Florence Tyson Grant to Study Music Psychotherapyfor professionals doing post-graduate training in music psychotherapy • AMTA Conference Scholar provides professional music therapists financial support to attend National Conference • Anne Emery Kyllo Scholarshipsupports professional music therapists in their efforts to expand their training in continuing education opportunities • Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Award grants $10,000 per year to support research in music therapy

48. Your membership helps support the music therapy profession Articles about music therapy on TV and in print don’t just happen. They come from hundreds of hours of advocacy performed by AMTA members, committees and staff. More people than ever before know about music therapy and its benefits because of the support of each and every AMTA member, whether through their donations, time, services, or membership dollars. Together we can help make AMTA’s mission possible: to advance public knowledge of music therapy benefits and increase access to quality services for those who need them.

49. Everyone plays a vital role in AMTA Where do I Fit In? How Do I Get Involved? • Help spread the word about music therapy • Distribute brochures to educate potential consumers and administrators of the benefits of music therapy • Talk to your local legislators • Get involved in the Activities of AMTA • Present at conference • Speak at a high school career day • Run for office or serve on a committee • VOTE in national elections • Attend business meetings at conferences You are necessary in the mission of AMTA because YOU are AMTA.

50. Don’t Forget… Apply for your “Welcome to the Profession” Packet and receive $70 off of your first year of professional membership dues!! Get your application at www.musictherapy.org and click on “careers”