Music therapy is a discipline which combines the use of music with the personal qualities of a therapist as a treatment for rehabilitating, maintaining, and improving the lives of persons with emotional, cognitive, social, spiritual,

psychological and physical needs.

Music has the following inherent qualities and is therefore, a valuable therapeutic tool. Music can reflect a full range of human emotions, is a nonverbal means of expression; can decrease anxiety and tension, assist in pain management, help relieve insomnia, and promote relaxation. Music reaches people on emotional, intellectual and physical levels, and can ease cultural and/or linguistic barriers while bringing people together in a shared experience.