Four Years as an MT-BC: Reflections on Building a Music Therapy Career
A reflection on four years as a board-certified music therapist—from internship and graduate school to launching a private music therapy practice.
2/6/20263 min read
I recently celebrated four years as a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), and it felt important to pause and reflect on the journey here.
I remember studying for the certification exam with my friends and feeling the very real fear that I might not pass. After graduating from my undergraduate program in Minneapolis, I moved to Colorado to live with my parents and complete my six-month internship with a hospice organization. That experience held so much at once—fulfillment, doubt, fear, excitement, and deep learning.
After finishing my internship and spending a month studying, I took the plunge and sat for the exam in January 2022. I remember feeling incredibly nervous and anxious—and then the relief and pride when I found out I had passed. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops: I was officially an MT-BC.
Entering the Field as a New MT-BC
Next came the job search. While still living with my parents in Colorado, I applied to positions all over the country. After about a month, I interviewed for my first full-time role in February 2022 and received an offer in March.
The position was with a private practice that worked primarily with children with IDD/DD and hospice populations, with locations across the country. A few weeks later, I packed up my belongings and drove to Madison, Wisconsin for what felt like a huge opportunity.
While this role offered valuable experience, it also came with long hours and moments of feeling unprepared for the range of client populations I was serving. I began to realize I needed more education, mentorship, and grounding to continue growing confidently as a music therapist. That realization led me to apply for graduate school.
Graduate School and Professional Growth
In the summer of 2022, I moved back to Colorado to live with my parents again and begin my graduate program at Colorado State University. While earning my degree, I worked part-time with a private practice serving clients with IDD/DD.
This period was enriching, challenging, and deeply introspective. During my final semester at CSU, I began applying for jobs in Georgia. After interviewing with a company in April, I received an offer from an organization also serving children with IDD/DD and hospice clients.
After graduating, I got married and moved to Georgia—entering yet another new chapter.
Choosing Independence
At this job, I hoped to build a full caseload, but after a year, I still hadn’t reached the level of clients or income I needed. I remember feeling tired of waiting for work to come to me and wanting more agency over my schedule and livelihood.
In November 2024, I founded Aroha Music Therapy (AMT) with the goal of building a client base that would allow me to work independently. In January 2025, I welcomed my very first AMT client. From there, my caseload slowly but steadily grew.
By June 2025, my husband and I decided it made sense for me to give notice and transition fully into my business starting August 2025. Since then, AMT has continued to grow. There have been quieter seasons filled with uncertainty, and there have been moments of flow where referrals seemed to arrive effortlessly and I felt ready for them all.
Four Years In
Looking back, these past four years as an MT-BC have been nothing short of eventful. I recently shared on Instagram that if every month in 2026 looked like January, I would truly have nothing to complain about.
I’ve reached a sweet spot—working enough to feel fulfilled, while still having space to live a full life outside of work. Perhaps most notably, this is the most I’ve ever earned as a board-certified music therapist, and I’m excited to see where this business continues to take me in the year ahead.
