When music becomes music therapy

Scientific literature provides evidence of the unquestionable effects of music both in pathological contexts and upon individuals generally speaking. Also on the physiological, neurophysiological, biological and neurochemical levels, confirmation of such effects has been forthcoming. The above thoughts can help re-model music-therapeutic practices by introducing the following aspects (Evidence Based Music Therapy and Evidence Based Practice): musical and relational training of music therapists, presence of a therapeutic setting, a theoretical/methodological background, aims oriented to the achievement of stable and long- lasting improvements (according to type and gravity of pathologies considered), content (active and/or receptive techniques) facilitating intra- and inter-personal relationships with the patient/client and rigorous assessment criteria. This is what defines the therapeutic specificity of music and contextualizes the various possible interventions through music. Music can be the source of deep pleasure, it can stimulate relationships and attentive and cognitive functions, but it becomes therapeutic practice only in the presence of the essential components mentioned above.