Virtual v.s. In-Person Music Therapy: Everything You Need to Know in 2025

Exploring the Future: A Comparative Look at Virtual and In-Person Music Therapy in 2025.

Estimated read time: 8 minutes

The landscape of music therapy has evolved significantly since 2020. You now have two primary options for receiving music therapy services: virtual sessions conducted through video platforms or traditional in-person meetings. Both formats offer distinct advantages and serve different therapeutic needs.

Understanding these differences helps you make informed decisions about which format best supports your therapeutic goals. This guide examines both options, providing you with practical information to choose the right approach for your situation.

What Is Virtual Music Therapy?

Virtual music therapy, also known as telehealth music therapy, delivers therapeutic services through HIPAA-compliant video platforms. Board-certified music therapists conduct sessions using platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or specialized healthcare video systems.

During virtual sessions, you participate in musical interventions from your home environment. Your therapist guides you through exercises, provides instruction, and facilitates therapeutic interventions through the screen. Many sessions include singing, rhythm activities, songwriting, and music listening experiences adapted for the virtual format.

Research shows that virtual music therapy maintains therapeutic effectiveness while increasing accessibility. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Music Therapy found that clients in virtual sessions demonstrated similar progress in achieving therapeutic goals compared to in-person participants.

A cozy home office featuring a laptop showing a virtual meeting, surrounded by lush plants, a musical keyboard, and a guitar, creating an inviting and creative workspace.

Benefits of Virtual Music Therapy

Virtual sessions eliminate geographical barriers that prevent many people from accessing music therapy services. You can receive treatment regardless of your location, whether you live in rural areas or face transportation challenges.

Scheduling becomes more flexible with virtual formats. You avoid travel time, allowing for more convenient appointment scheduling that fits your daily routine. This increased convenience often leads to higher attendance rates and better treatment consistency.

Your home environment provides a familiar, comfortable setting for therapy. Many clients report feeling more relaxed and open during virtual sessions, which can enhance therapeutic outcomes. Children particularly benefit from the security of their familiar surroundings.

Virtual sessions also reduce exposure to illness, making them ideal for immunocompromised individuals or during times when health safety is a concern. You maintain consistent therapy without interruption due to weather, transportation issues, or health precautions.

Limitations of Virtual Music Therapy

Technology requirements create potential barriers for virtual sessions. You need reliable internet connectivity, appropriate devices, and basic technical skills to participate effectively. Poor internet connections can disrupt sessions and affect the quality of musical interactions.

Certain therapeutic techniques are challenging to implement virtually. Hands-on instrument instruction, physical movement activities, and interventions requiring therapist assistance may be limited or modified for virtual delivery.

Audio delay and quality issues can impact musical timing and synchronization activities. These technical limitations may affect interventions that rely on precise musical coordination between you and your therapist.

Some clients, particularly those with certain cognitive or attention challenges, may find it difficult to engage effectively through a screen. The virtual format may not provide sufficient sensory input or environmental control needed for optimal therapeutic engagement.

What Is In-Person Music Therapy?

In-person music therapy occurs in physical settings where you meet directly with your board-certified music therapist. Sessions take place in clinical settings, homes, schools, or community centers, depending on your needs and circumstances.

Traditional in-person sessions offer the full range of music therapy interventions. You can participate in hands-on instrument playing, movement-based activities, group drumming, and complex musical arrangements that require direct physical interaction.

The face-to-face format allows your therapist to observe subtle nonverbal cues, provide immediate physical assistance, and adjust interventions based on real-time observations of your responses and needs.

Close-up of a beautifully crafted acoustic guitar, highlighting its intricate rosette design and the play of light and shadows on its strings.

Benefits of In-Person Music Therapy

Physical presence enables comprehensive therapeutic observation and intervention. Your therapist can assess body language, physical responses, and subtle behavioral changes that may not be visible through video platforms.

Hands-on activities are fully available in in-person sessions. You can learn proper instrument techniques, participate in movement activities, and engage in complex musical exercises that require physical guidance and support.

The therapeutic environment can be specifically designed to support your needs. Therapists can control lighting, acoustics, seating arrangements, and available instruments to optimize your therapeutic experience.

Social interaction and group dynamics are more natural in person. If you participate in group music therapy, in-person sessions facilitate better peer interaction, collaborative music-making, and community building among participants.

Limitations of In-Person Music Therapy

Geographical accessibility remains the primary limitation of in-person services. You may face challenges accessing qualified music therapists in your area, particularly in rural or underserved regions.

Transportation requirements can create barriers to consistent attendance. You need reliable transportation, must account for travel time, and may face weather-related cancellations that disrupt treatment continuity.

Scheduling flexibility is often reduced with in-person sessions. You must coordinate your schedule with office hours and may have fewer appointment options compared to virtual alternatives.

Cost considerations may include transportation expenses in addition to session fees. Parking, gas, or public transportation costs add to the overall expense of receiving in-person services.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Needs

Consider virtual music therapy if you live in areas with limited access to qualified music therapists. This option works well if you have reliable internet, basic technology skills, and therapeutic goals that can be addressed through individual activities.

Virtual sessions are particularly suitable for verbal processing, songwriting, music listening experiences, and therapeutic approaches that don't require physical instrument manipulation or movement activities.

A side-by-side comparison of virtual and in-person therapy: On the left, a person engages in a video call session from the comfort of their home, and on the right, a therapist conducts an in-person session in a cozy, instrument-filled room.

Choose in-person sessions if your therapeutic goals involve complex motor skills, require hands-on instrument instruction, or benefit from movement-based interventions. This format is ideal if you need consistent environmental controls or have attention challenges that benefit from direct supervision.

In-person therapy works best for group interventions, social skill development, and therapeutic approaches that rely on physical interaction or environmental manipulation.

Hybrid Approaches

A group of friends enjoys a cozy jam session, playing guitars and sharing music in a sunlit room where creativity flows.

Many music therapists now offer hybrid treatment models that combine both virtual and in-person sessions. This approach allows you to benefit from the advantages of both formats while accommodating changing needs and circumstances.

Hybrid models might include regular virtual sessions with periodic in-person meetings for specific activities or assessments. This combination maximizes accessibility while maintaining the therapeutic benefits of direct interaction when needed.

Your therapist can help determine the optimal combination of virtual and in-person sessions based on your specific therapeutic goals, practical constraints, and treatment progress.

Making Your Decision

Evaluate your specific circumstances when choosing between virtual and in-person music therapy. Consider your geographical location, transportation options, technology access, and comfort level with video platforms.

Discuss your therapeutic goals with potential music therapists. Some objectives are better suited to specific formats, and experienced therapists can guide you toward the most effective approach for your needs.

Consider starting with one format and remaining open to switching if your needs change. Many clients find that their preferences evolve as they become more comfortable with therapy and as their circumstances change.

offers both options in the event of changing circumstances. 

Both virtual and in-person music therapy can be effective therapeutic options. The key is finding the format that best supports your individual needs, circumstances, and therapeutic goals. Work with qualified music therapists to determine the approach that will maximize your therapeutic success and ensure consistent, accessible treatment.