May 2024
This May, John Smith, Cathy Befi Hensel, Kyle Chai, and Tammy Takaishi provided written testimony about music therapy to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs pertaining to their interim charges including veteran mental health, creation of a support service database for Texas veterans, and strengthening support for veteran housing. Thank you so much to these music therapists for lending their expertise, and a special thank you to John Smith and Cathy Befi Hensel who traveled to Austin to provide their testimony!
We are also celebrating with our Tennessee music therapy colleagues who were successful in getting SB 898 signed into law. This bill creates a music therapy certificate under the Board of Examiners in Psychology and establishes a Professional Music Therapy Advisory Committee to assist the Board in matters concerning the certificate. Similar to a license, the Certified Professional Music Therapist (CPMT) provides title and scope of practice protection for music therapy and will serve to increase consumer access to safe and competent music therapy services. A huge congratulations and thank you to the members of the Tennessee State Task Force along with everyone who participated in Hill Day, contacted their representatives, and advocated for SB 989 and music therapy in Tennessee.
