Vision and Values

Academy Mission

To disseminate, advance, and protect the practice of Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) worldwide.

Academy Vision

To unify and advance applied clinical music neuroscience in healthcare by promoting Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) as a common language and global standard for best practice in music-based health applications, by providing training to create and distinguish an international community of Neurologic Music Therapists, Allied Health Professionals, and Neuroscience Researchers, to ensure global awareness and access to NMT™.

Academy Purpose

The Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) system of techniques was formally developed and introduced in 1999 as the clinical translation of the research conducted at the Center for Biomedical Research in Music/Colorado State University and the Neurorehabilitation Institute at Duesseldorf University Medical School, by a group of 5 researchers and clinicians: Michael Thaut PhD, Gerald McIntosh MD, Volker Hoemberg MD, Corene Thaut PhD, and Ruth Rice DPT.

The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® was established in 2002 to advance the professional education and understanding of the scientific, evidence-based practice of Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™), and to facilitate the coordinated and cooperative efforts of Neurologic Music Therapy® Professional Affiliates throughout the world.

In 2014, the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® became a 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to disseminate, advance, and protect the practice of NMT™ worldwide and provides opportunities for continuing education in NMT™ that maintain the integrity of best practice in NMT™, and thus protect consumers of NMT™ and the public in general.

The principles of Neurologic Music Therapy® are of exceptional value and Professional Affiliates of the Academy, practicing within the Neurologic Music Therapy® system of techniques and principles, have the capacity to profoundly improve the lives of others. In 2025, the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy® began the Neurologic Music Therapy® license and professional affiliation program in order to preserve the integrity of NMT™ for future generations.

The Academy facilitates endeavors in a variety of areas, including but not limited to, continuing education, student training, research, information sharing, and reimbursement. The Academy is overseen by a Board of Directors and maintains an Advisory Council, Research Council, and International Liaison Council to advise on all matters related to the professional and scientific development of NMT™. With the exception of the Research Council, the composition of the councils will be a majority of NMT™ Professional Affiliates and clinicians.