Assemblyman Karl Brabenec co-sponsors bill to offer licensing for music therapists

ALBANY — On Monday, March 25, Melinda Burgard, of Greenwood Lake, a certified music therapist, traveled to Albany for Music Therapy Advocacy Day.
While there, she met with Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, whose district includes the Town of Warwick and who is a co-sponsor of a bill to offer state licensing for music therapists.
The goal of the bill is to offer consumers music therapy services by a qualified educated credentialed music therapist.
"Providing an opportunity for expanded licensing for music therapists is something that is sorely needed in New York State, as many of the professionals who conduct this therapy are restricted to be licensed as Creative Arts Therapists, therefore limiting their scope of practice," Brabenec said. "It is crucial that individuals seeking musical therapy treatment are confident that their practitioners are trained and licensed in the skills they are providing, thus enriching the relationship between both parties.
"I am an ardent supporter of this bipartisan legislation and will work across the aisle and with legislative leaders to see that it makes it to the floor for a vote this year," the assemblyman added.
As stated by the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is the clinical and evidenced-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Burgard, for example, graduated from New York University with a Master's Degree in Music Therapy and has been a practicing certified music therapist for over 26 years.
Music therapists are independently certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists after completing a bachelor's degree or higher from a music therapy degree approved by the Association, including 1,200 hours of clinical training and passing a national board exam.
"This new legislation," said Burgard, "will provide licensure for Board-Certified at both professional and clinical levels."
Although music therapists with additional mental health training are eligible to apply for a State Creative Arts Therapist license, which is Burgard's credential, New York does not officially recognize music therapy as a profession, and as a result, access to services is limited.
The goal of this bill is to protect consumers and offer New Yorkers easier access to music therapy services.
State regulations often require official state recognition of a credential in order to support professional services with programs such as special education, Medicaid waiver programs, and private insurance.
This is also important to avoid confusion for healthcare facilities regarding the difference between music therapists, music practitioners, music-thanatologists, and other non-music therapy musicians in healthcare.
For additional information, visit the Website if the American Music Therapy Association www.musictherapy.org
To contact Burgard, email melindasmusic@cs.com or phone 845 987-4750.
- Roger Gavan