Music therapy, as defined by the World Federation of Music Therapy, is an intervention in which a trained music therapist uses music and elements of music to enhance quality of life, bring about change, and improve social, emotional, intellectual communicative, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. Therapy work is carried out in medical, community, educational, and social settings. Music therapy can involve interactive musical processes or receptive listening techniques, according to the needs of the participant.

Music therapy became an established profession during the middle to latter part of the 20th century. In some countries (e.g., the United Kingdom), music therapy is a legally registered profession, similar to medicine, nursing, and other allied health fields. Although smaller in size, and more specialized than physiotherapy and occupational therapy, for ...