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What Exactly Is Music Therapy And How Can It Help?

2 April 2015

Vicki Alexander

Music has long been linked with the mind and has been used by many as a means of relaxing and coping with stress. As such, many clinics throughout the country are promoting music therapy as an evidence-based method of dealing with psychiatric problems. This article will teach you more about this method. 

What Exactly is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is recognized as one of the expressive therapies that aims to help patients with emotional, mental or cognitive difficulties. The treatment is designed to create a link between playing or listening to music and entering a deep state of relaxation where any existing problems can be carefully addressed.

With music therapy, patients are assigned a therapist who helps them get over their psychiatric problems by expressing themselves through music. This can involve patients' creating music of their own or listening to specific brands of music aimed to bring down existing barriers and create a more open atmosphere. Therapists can help patients achieve specific, pre-set goals throughout the course of treatment which can bring confidence to the patient.

What Does a Typical Session Involve?

No music therapy session is the same, and each patient will receive a specific program tailored to their individual needs. With that said, there are a few common themes that run through all music therapy classes.

Due to the nature of music therapy, most patients will work in small groups with a designated therapist. The therapist will open each session, reviewing what was achieved in the last session and asking each individual how they are progressing. There may be short group exercises that are designed to open up the room and help patients feel more at ease with the session.

Following the opening, the therapist will work with each individual in order to progress from their last meeting. Typically, there are four types of activity that patients will carry out during a session:

• Performing – This involves the patient playing or singing to the room and is designed to boost confidence and help the room feel at ease with one another.
• Listening – During this stage, patients will listen to music chosen by the therapist to help them relax. This is designed to help patients wind down after an active session and instill a sense of calmness in them.
• Composing – Patients will compose their own music or songs in order to get their creative juices flowing. This can be performed in groups or individually and helps to improve the patient's mood and sense of achievement.
• Improvising – This is usually an enjoyable part of the session where patients come up with music on the spot and perform in front of the room.

Therapists will then close the session after checking in with each patient and understanding how they feel following therapy.

What Conditions Can Be Helped by Music Therapy?

While music therapy can help all patients in achieving set targets and improving their creativity, there are a few specific conditions that can benefit most:

• Depression – Music therapy can help people cope with depression by giving them a creative outlet to express themselves. Depression is commonly linked with a lack of fulfillment, and introducing patients to the world of music can help people cope with their condition.
• Stress and Anxiety – Music has long been used as a means of relaxing, and music therapy can help people cope with stress by calming them down. Research has shown that music therapy, specifically listening to classical music, can slow down the pulse and lower blood pressure.
•  Autism – Studies have shown that music therapy can help children with autism by increasing their attention span and helping them become more social.

In addition to the above, music therapy can help people cope with physical problems such as cancer. While music therapy itself will not cure such diseases, the calming nature of the treatment can help patients live with their discomfort. For more information, contact a local psychiatry clinic. 

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