No. A trained therapeutic musician has completed an accredited certification program. They never try to elicit a specific response from a patient. We use sound to create an environment that allows a patient to have whatever experience they may need. That can include a release of emotion when facing difficult circumstances, or a moment of love and bonding between a new parent and their infant in the NICU. Sometimes it’s as simple as using music to blend the sounds in the environment to reduce the noisiness that can make it hard to rest. Therapeutic music is also used to support a patient and their loved ones during the end of life transition.
In contrast, a Music Therapist has a Master’s Degree in Music Therapy and uses a wide range of musical techniques and modalities to elicit a desired response from a patient.
I like to compare it to the difference between a physical therapist and a massage therapist. Each has a different skill set that has its place, but they are very different in their stated goals and methodology. As a therapeutic musician I think of the notes I play as a sonic massage.
Sonic Harp 