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Nice podcast, ladies! I tend to describe what I do a music psychotherapy. As such, my "elevator speech" (when someone asks me what music therapy is) usually ends up being along the lines of "I focus on the relationship that develops when I invite people to take part in music-making experiences. By doing that, I learn more about them and how they relate to people and to things that are going on in their lives. Music helps us to, literally, hear ourselves in a different way, so it invites self-awareness, which leads to personal growth and change and, hopefully, a greater sense of empowerment and well-being."

It's true that, if we asked 500 music therapists to describe music therapy in a nutshell, we'd probably get 500 different answers. Personally, I think the AMTA definition is way too antiseptic and no one can really relate to it. I think that one is more for the sake of demonstrating to the scientific community that we are evidence-based and legitimate. But I think I agree with Rachel that we need not hammer the research-based thing into anyone's head if we're just chatting with them in a more social/work context (unless it's about funding or something of the sort).

Good luck with the big move, Kimberly!
 

I continue to marvel at the difference between what appears to be a vibrant MT hiring environment in the U.S. versus my situation in Canada. Great topic and much needed by new and experienced music therapists alike.