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Therapeutic Music Training 


Training and certification for musicians on how to use music to support and enhance comfort, care, healing, and well-being in medical, healthcare, and meditation settings.

Explore this site to begin your journey of learning how to be a healing presence for those in need.

Music as a Healing Presence

Therapeutic music is the intentional use of live music to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is not performance. It is connection. It is being a healing presence.

Harp for Healing trains musicians to develop presence, sensitivity, and the necessary musical skills to meet the needs of people in public and private healthcare and healing environments. This includes hospital, hospice, nursing home, long-term care, assisted living, rehabilitation, meditation/worship settings, and similar areas.  

Although the harp is the most commonly used instrument, there are several instruments that are appropriate for therapeutic music. Our programs are designed to help musicians on any therapeutic  instrument to move beyond just playing the notes and into being a channel of music to provide a supportive, responsive, healing musical presence for groups or individuals. The self-paced home study format delivers high-quality training designed to be flexible to fit any lifestyle and to adapt to unexpected life circumstances.

Our Programs

Public Music for Medical Environments (PMME)

An introduction to therapeutic music

A short introductory and informational course for musicians who are curious about therapeutic music or who want to understand how music can be used thoughtfully and appropriately in medical and public care environments.

Good for: Musicians who only want to play in public areas of healthcare environments and anyone curious about therapeutic music


Format: Self-paced online program that is an introduction to therapeutic music philosophy and practice, as well as guidelines for playing in public areas of heathcare environments

Clinical Musician Certification Program (CMCP)

Professional certification in therapeutic music

A comprehensive, accredited therapeutic music certification program that prepares musicians to provide therapeutic music at the bedside and in public areas in clinical and private settings.

This program uses step-by-step instruction to emphasize musicianship, improvisation, presence, listening, and responsiveness - all within healthcare-informed guidelines.

Good for: Musicians seeking professional certification to provide therapeutic music at the bedside and public areas in heathcare or private settings


Format: Two levels of self-paced online training using written and online resources with guidance from a CMCP authorized mentor

Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music (VATM)

Sound and tactile stimulation as therapeutic tools

Advanced and specialized training focused on the therapeutic use of live music with vibrotactile stimulation to support deep relaxation, pain relief, tension relief, comfort, homeostasis, and healing.

Good for: Experienced therapeutic musicians interested in advanced and specialized training in the use of music with vibration for healing, including cultural, social, and psychological considerations.


Format: Self-paced online training using written and online resources with mentor guidance 

Mary's Music Studio

Musical services offered by Mary Stevens

Mary Stevens offers music services to Northcentral Montana, including playing music for worship services and community events, and individual or small group sessions of Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music (VATM).

The effect and use of VATM is multi-layered and differs from person to person. It can be used to address physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual issues. Each person will be affected in unique ways. Most experience deep relaxation and reduced tension or inflammation, which results in relief of pain. Some may have a very profound, private, spiritual or personal experience that is moving, rewarding and thought-provoking. Others may utilize VATM sessions as a relaxing time of self-care and mood enhancement. When facing difficult times, VATM sessions can be an oasis to provide strength for what lies ahead.

Begin Your Path in Therapeutic Music

If you feel called to use music in a deeper, more intentional way,
you are invited to explore our programs and learn what therapeutic music truly is.

If you have questions, please send them to us through the Contact Us button below.