Music Therapy Is The Clinical Use Of Music To Accomplish Individualized Goals Such As Reducing Stress, Improving Mood And Self-Expression. It Is An Evidence-Based Therapy Well-Established In The Health Community.
Music Therapy Experiences May Include Listening, Singing, Playing Instruments, Or Composing Music. Musical Skills Or Talents Are Not Required To Participate.
Music Therapy Can Help You Psychologically, Emotionally, Physically, Spiritually, Cognitively And Socially.
In This Blog Post, We Will Explore Some Of The Benefits Of Music Therapy And How It Can Help You Heal And Relax.
Table of Contents
What Are The Benefits Of Music Therapy?
According To Positivepsychology.Com1, Music Therapy Has Six Major Health Benefits:
- Music Therapy Reduces Anxiety And Physical Effects Of Stress
- It Improves Healing
- It Can Help Manage Parkinson’s And Alzheimer’s Disease
- Music Therapy Reduces Depression And Other Symptoms In The Elderly
- It Helps To Reduce Symptoms Of Psychological Disorders Including Schizophrenia
- Music Therapy Improves Self-Expression And Communication
Some Of The Documented Benefits Of Music Therapy Include2:
- Improved Self-Esteem
- Decreased Anxiety
- Increased Motivation
- Successful And Safe Emotional Release
- Increased Verbalization
- Stronger Connections With Other People
Music Therapy Can Help To Relieve Pain And Reduce Stress And Anxiety For The Patient, Resulting In Physiological Changes, Including4:
- Improved Respiration
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Improved Cardiac Output
- Reduced Heart Rate
- Relaxed Muscle Tension
How Does Music Therapy Work?
Music Therapy Works By Using Different Elements Of Music Such As Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Tempo, Pitch And Timbre To Stimulate Different Parts Of The Brain And Body.
Music Can Affect A Client’s Attention, Emotion, Cognition, Behavior, And Communication1.
Music Therapists Are Trained Professionals Who Assess The Needs And Preferences Of Each Client And Design A Personalized Treatment Plan. They Use Various Techniques Such As:
- Singing Along: This Can Help With Vocalization, Breathing, Articulation, Memory And Mood.
- Blackout Song-Writing: This Involves Using The Lyrics Of Existing Songs And Blacking Out Some Words To Create New Meanings. This Can Help With Creativity, Self-Expression And Emotional Processing.
- Musical Improvisation: This Involves Creating Music Spontaneously Using Instruments Or Voice. This Can Help With Communication, Social Skills, Self-Confidence And Emotional Regulation.
- Musical Games: This Involves Playing Games That Involve Music Such As Musical Chairs, Name That Tune Or Musical Bingo. This Can Help With Attention, Concentration, Memory And Fun.
Music Therapy Sessions Can Be Done Individually Or In Groups Depending On The Goals And Needs Of The Client.
Music Therapy Can Be Used In Conjunction With Traditional Therapies, Positive Psychology Or As A Stand-Alone Intervention.
How Can You Try Music Therapy?
If You Are Interested In Trying Music Therapy For Yourself Or A Loved One, You Can Start By Finding A Qualified Music Therapist Near You.
You Can Search For A Music Therapist On The Websites Of Professional Associations Such As:
- American Music Therapy Association (Amta)
- British Association For Music Therapy (Bamt)
- Australian Music Therapy Association (Amta)
- Canadian Association For Music Therapy (Camt)
You Can Also Ask Your Doctor Or Therapist For A Referral To A Music Therapist. You May Be Able To Access Music Therapy Through Your Health Insurance Or Through Community Programs.
Alternatively, You Can Try Some Simple Music Therapy Activities At Home Or Online Such As:
- Listening To Relaxing Music That You Enjoy
- Singing Along To Your Favorite Songs
- Playing An Instrument Or Learning A New One
- Writing Your Own Songs Or Lyrics
- Making A Playlist Of Songs That Reflect Your Mood Or Goals
- Joining A Choir Or A Musical Group
What Are Some Examples Of Music Therapy?
Music Therapy Can Be Applied In Various Settings And Contexts, Depending On The Needs And Preferences Of The Client.
Music Therapists Use Different Methods And Techniques To Facilitate The Therapeutic Process. Some Examples Of Music Therapy Are:
- Benenzon Music Therapy: This Combines Some Concepts Of Psychoanalysis With The Process Of Making Music. Benenzon Music Therapy Includes The Search For Your “Musical Sound Identity”, Which Describes The External Sounds That Most Closely Match Your Internal Psychological State.
- Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (Cbmt): This Combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) With Music. In Cbmt, Music Is Used To Reinforce Some Behaviors And Modify Others. This Approach Is Structured, Not Improvisational, And May Include Listening To Music, Dancing, Singing, Or Playing An Instrument.
- Community Music Therapy: This Is Focused On Using Music As A Way To Facilitate Change On The Community Level. It Is Done In A Group Setting And Requires A High Level Of Engagement From Each Member.
- Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy: Also Called Creative Music Therapy, This Method Involves Playing An Instrument (Often A Cymbal Or Drum) While The Therapist Accompanies Using Another Instrument. The Improvisational Process Uses Music As A Way To Help Enable Self-Expression.
- The Bonny Method Of Guided Imagery And Music (Gim): This Form Of Therapy Uses Classical Music As A Way To Stimulate The Imagination. In This Method, You Explain The Feelings, Sensations, Memories, And Imagery You Experience While Listening To The Music.
These Are Just Some Of The Examples Of Music Therapy That Are Available. You Can Consult With A Music Therapist To Find Out Which Approach Suits You Best And How It Can Help You Achieve Your Goals.
Conclusion
Music Therapy Is A Powerful And Versatile Form Of Therapy That Can Help You Heal And Relax In Many Ways. Whether You Are Dealing With Stress, Pain, Depression, Anxiety Or Any Other Challenge, Music Therapy Can Offer You A Safe And Enjoyable Way To Express Yourself And Cope Better.
Music Therapy Can Help You Psychologically, Emotionally, Physically, Spiritually, Cognitively And Socially.
Music Therapy Can Be Done Individually Or In Groups, Using Various Methods And Techniques Such As Singing, Playing Instruments, Composing Music, Listening To Music Or Imagining Scenarios.
Music Therapy Can Be Used In Conjunction With Traditional Therapies, Positive Psychology Or As A Stand-Alone Intervention.
If You Are Interested In Trying Music Therapy For Yourself Or A Loved One, You Can Start By Finding A Qualified Music Therapist Near You Or Trying Some Simple Music Therapy Activities At Home Or Online. Try It Today And See How It Can Transform Your Life!
Related Faqs
Q: What Is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy Is The Clinical Use Of Music To Accomplish Individualized Goals Such As Reducing Stress, Improving Mood And Self-Expression. It Is An Evidence-Based Therapy Well-Established In The Health Community.
Q: Who Can Benefit From Music Therapy?
Anyone Can Benefit From Music Therapy; You Don’t Need A Background In Music To Experience Its Beneficial Effects. Music Therapy Can Help People With Various Physical And Mental Health Conditions Such As Chronic Pain, Diabetes, Cardiac Conditions, Cancer, Headaches, Recent Surgery, Rehabilitation, Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease And More.
Q: How Does Music Therapy Work?
Music Therapy Works By Using Different Elements Of Music Such As Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Tempo, Pitch And Timbre To Stimulate Different Parts Of The Brain And Body. Music Can Affect A Client’s Attention, Emotion, Cognition, Behavior And Communication.
Q: What Are Some Examples Of Music Therapy?
Some Examples Of Music Therapy Are Analytical Music Therapy, Benenzon Music Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (Cbmt), Community Music Therapy, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy And The Bonny Method Of Guided Imagery And Music (Gim).
Q: How Can I Try Music Therapy?
You Can Try Music Therapy By Finding A Qualified Music Therapist Near You Or Trying Some Simple Music Therapy Activities At Home Or Online Such As Listening To Relaxing Music That You Enjoy, Singing Along To Your Favorite Songs, Playing An Instrument Or Learning A New One, Writing Your Own Songs Or Lyrics Or Making A Playlist Of Songs That Reflect Your Mood Or Goals.
Q: What Are The Qualifications Of A Music Therapist?
A Music Therapist Is A Trained Professional Who Has Completed A Bachelor’s Degree Or Higher In Music Therapy From An Accredited Program. They Also Have To Complete A Clinical Internship And Pass A Board Certification Exam. They May Also Have Additional Credentials Or Specializations In Specific Areas Of Music Therapy.
Q: How Long Does A Music Therapy Session Last?
A Music Therapy Session Can Last From 30 Minutes To An Hour, Depending On The Goals And Needs Of The Client. Some Clients May Need More Than One Session Per Week, While Others May Need Less Frequent Sessions.