Table of Contents
How does a music therapy session work?
The therapist plays a song or piece of music to a patient and encourages the patient to talk about their feelings or the song’s meaning. The therapist may play an instrument or sing a song and encourage the patient to sing along or clap their hands in time with the music. Music therapy is a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and well-being. Music therapists incorporate a range of music-making methods within and through a therapeutic relationship to address individual client goals. Music-based therapy is based on two fundamental methods – the ‘receptive’ listening based method, and the ‘active’ method based on playing musical instruments (Guetin et al., 2009). Music therapy may be beneficial to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words, including children, adolescents, adults and seniors. Treatment may help those with: Mental health needs. Developmental and learning disabilities. This recent systematic review and meta-analysis (a study of studies) showed that the use of music interventions (listening to music, singing, and music therapy) can create significant improvements in mental health, and smaller improvements in physical health–related quality of life.
How does music therapy work for mental health?
Music stimulates association, affect, and imagery in ways that analytical, verbal processes cannot. Group music experiences can create bonding and a sense of community among clients. Music, through its structure and order, can serve as a grounding experience for those who are agitated, manic, or psychotic. Research shows the benefits of music therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and schizophrenia (to name a few). Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or for dysregulation. Although self-expression is a part of talking therapy, music therapy allows people to express themselves in a creative way, which can be a more enjoyable way of exploring difficult emotions. Music therapists are highly trained, board-certified practitioners who work with a wide variety of individuals to help manage pain, reduce stress, express emotion, enhance memory, improve communication, and promote physical rehabilitation. Some doctors (GPs and specialists) recommend music therapy to treat ailments, like heart diseases, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders), Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, brain dysfunction, and depression. Oxford University holds that classical music can help improve heart conditions and maintain blood pressure. Depending on your goals, a typical music therapy session lasts between 30 and 50 minutes. 24 Much like you would plan sessions with a psychotherapist, you may choose to have a set schedule for music therapy—say, once a week—or you may choose to work with a music therapist on a more casual as-needed basis.
What happens in the brain during music therapy?
Engaging in music has been shown to facilitate neuroplasticity, therefore positively influencing quality of life and overall functioning. Research has shown that music activates cognitive, motor, and speech centers in the brain through accessing shared neural systems. Music training has outstanding effects on human brain development as well as cognitive and memory development. Music therapy can reduce the patient’s anxiety level, thereby improving mood and reducing the response to psychological depression. Studies have found that listening to music can help calm your nervous system and lower cortisol levels, both of which can help reduce stress. And the same goes for making music; research shows that creating can help release emotion, decrease anxiety and improve overall mental health. Though music therapy practice employs a large number of intervention techniques, some of the most commonly used interventions include improvisation, therapeutic singing, therapeutic instrumental music playing, music-facilitated reminiscence and life review, songwriting, music-facilitated relaxation, and lyric analysis. It’s been shown to provide positive results in reducing pain, anxiety, stress, and even the need for restraints in agitated patients. In the hospital setting, music therapy can be an effective adjunct to conventional medicine that the nurse offers patients supporting their healing. Classical music is a winner at helping you focus. Music that has a tempo of 60 bpm (beats per minute) increases the efficiency of the brain in processing information. The best way to use it is to have it playing softly in the background as you get on with your tasks.
What is the first step of music therapy?
Assessment. The first step in the treatment process is a functional assessment of the individual’s strengths and needs through musical responses in the areas of motor, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, behavioral, sensory and musical abilities. Assessment. The first step in the treatment process is a functional assessment of the individual’s strengths and needs through musical responses in the areas of motor, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, behavioral, sensory and musical abilities. Music-based therapy is based on two fundamental methods – the ‘receptive’ listening based method, and the ‘active’ method based on playing musical instruments (Guetin et al., 2009). Most music therapy sessions consist of improvisation, musical “games” and occasional use of pre-composed song. This means that the emphasis is mainly on playing music freely – making up the music as you go along. The person’s use of the instruments will naturally reflect their emotional state at that moment. Music therapy is a form of treatment that uses music within the therapeutic relationship to help accomplish the patient’s individualized goals. This evidence-based approach involves techniques such as listening to, reflecting on, and creating music under the guidance of a trained music therapist. Research has shown that music activates cognitive, motor, and speech centers in the brain through accessing shared neural systems. NMT interventions are based on the scientific knowledge of music perception and production and the effects of this treatment on nonmusical brain and behavior functions.
Why is music therapy so effective?
Music can affect the body by changing your heart rate and lowering blood pressure and respiration (breathing) rate. Improved motor development or processing. Relaxation and/or improved sleep. Research shows that music can uniquely form new connections in the brain. Listening to music also improves neuron repair better than other activities – such as listening to an audiobook – which may mean the brain functions better and builds new connections. Classical Music This theory, which has been dubbed the Mozart Effect, suggests that listening to classical composers can enhance brain activity and act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being. Listening to live music also has been linked to a release of oxytocin, which is known as the love or trust neurotransmitter. Oxytocin helps us bond with others and socialize, which can be an important part of treating mood disorders like depression. Playing music is even better for your brain than simply listening.
How long should music therapy last?
You decide together how often you should have the therapy and how long each session will be. Music therapy sessions usually last between 30 to 60 minutes. Your therapist might encourage you to play or listen to music at home between sessions. Earn a bachelor’s degree or better in music therapy or a directly related field, such as psychology. Receive 1,200 hours of clinical training, including a supervised internship. Pass a national board certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. The education and training of a Music Therapist is challenging. It includes all requirements of a music major, requirements for music therapy foundations courses, the equivalent of a minor in Psychology, and, finally, general education courses within the university. Some challenges were related to the client’s behavior, countertransference feelings, resistance from the client, exposure to clients in pain, and even the absence of music. Some music therapists reflected about these situations and/or the feelings stemming from it, usually from a psychodynamic perspective. Music therapy reduces anxiety and physical effects of stress. It improves healing. It can help manage Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
What ages benefit from music therapy?
Music Therapy can benefit the following populations and conditions: children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and … Music can uplift our soul, foster in us feelings of joy, compassion and love. Music is an integral part of any social gathering. It also soothes our mind, so much so that it is now recognized as a form of therapy. Music is said to enhance intelligence and focus, improve mental health, and boost the immune system as well as self-esteem and confidence. It can be used to relax, to boost and lift our mood, or to improve concentration. Music can also be used to aid in insomnia, helping to encourage and induce a deeper sleep. Music therapists reporting high work satisfaction (n = 246) had the following profile related to stress, burnout, and happiness: 52% reported low levels of stress, 62% reported low levels of burnout, and 53% reported high levels of happiness. It was originally created by American composer and music therapist Paul Nordoff and British music therapist Clive Robbins as a therapeutic approach for children and adults with significant developmental disabilities (e.g., intellectual, sensory, or motor disability). Songs by Queen, Pink Floyd and Bob Marley are among the most effective for music therapy patients, a UK study has found. Queen’s classic We Will Rock You came out on top, with Marley’s Three Little Birds and Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall making the top five.