What is Music Therapy?
Music and aspects of music is always present around you.
Not just in listening to the radio or CD’s but in hearing the sounds of the
world. It’s familiar, it’s safe and it’s comfortable. Even everyday discussions have a musical nature. There is timbre, pitch, and rhythm in how we talk
to each other. Music and aspects of sound are ways in which the world communicates and often the utilization of actual words is not necessary.
Music Therapy is a treatment activity that utilizes the defined use of music and music related activities to change behaviors. It is a form of sensory stimulation that provokes responses due to familiarity, predictability and feelings of security.
Through the therapeutic use of music, the therapist can connect with another human being on a familiar and non-threatening level. Most importantly, Music Therapy utilizes the powerful aspect of music to facilitate changes that are non-musical in nature. It is imperative to understand that all can benefit from this treatment. It is not a therapy reserved for musicians, for all people hear music everyday in one form or another.
What does Music Therapy do?
The specific use of Music Therapy activities is dependant on the individual or group of individuals participating. The Music Therapist
is trained to provide a full assessment of their clients, and design specific treatment plans and interventions to meet their specific needs.
Music activities can achieve many things from helping to promote reality orientation to the confused and elderly, to providing empowerment and choice through insight oriented therapy to those dealing with chronic illness, to providing an outlet for expression of feelings. Music can be used to promote family bonding through memory recall, can help to ease pain, and can help to identify issues that may have been long locked away preventing one from the full attainment of wellness. This is all done through the skillful use of music and the therapists educated ability to promote discussion.
What to expect in a Music Therapy session
Music Therapists design sessions and treatment plans around the specific needs of the clients. Some examples of typical interventions may include:
- Structured Music listening to promote memory recall
- Use of rhythm instruments to promote reality orientation and focus on the here and now
- Music assisted relaxation
- Music exploration via song titles
- Specific Music listening with lyric discussion and it’s application to self
- Specific Music assisted free drawing to help tap into subconscious feelings and attitudes
- Song writing to help express feelings
- Drum circles to enhance spirituality
The Music Therapy Profession
The profession of Music Therapy has been around since the 1940’s and became most prominent with the use of recovery programs for U.S. Veterans of war. It was a therapeutic approach widely used and supported by the US Army.
The widespread use of music and recovery became apparent and grew into an actual program of education at the University level. From there grew a National Association and a certification board to ensure all practicing Music Therapists met criteria.
Today, Music Therapists must hold at least a Bachelors degree in Music Therapy, finish a six month internship, and pass a national certification board
exam in order to practice in this field. Additionally, like many other professions, a Music Therapist must keep up with the changes in the field through
continued study and continuing education credits to keep their certification up to date.
The growth and acceptance of Music Therapy is becoming more and more evident. You may find Music Therapy being utilized in special education settings or in various treatment centers. Health care is one area that is becoming more and more open to the use of complementary treatment modalities such Music Therapy. It has been used most prominently in the psychiatric setting but many are learning that this therapy can be used in all areas of health care.
Music Therapy is known to be very beneficial in areas of neurology, pre- and post-operative surgical units, labor and delivery, oncology, and geriatrics. Wellness centers and hospice programs are also beginning to see the benefits of this therapy. It is a field of healing that continues to grow and continues to be recognized for its amazing benefits.
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