Music therapy is an evidence-based treatment that helps with a variety of disorders including cardiac conditions, depression, autism, substance abuse and Alzheimer’s disease. It can help with memory, lower blood pressure, improve coping, reduce stress, improve self-esteem and more. You don’t need a background in music to participate.
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Thursday, March 10th
Music therapy may help you psychologically, emotionally, physically, spiritually, cognitively and socially. A short list of benefits includes:
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Improving memory.
- Enhanced communication and social skills through experiencing music with others.
- Self-reflection. Observing your thoughts and emotions.
- Reducing muscle tension.
- Self-regulation. Developing healthy coping skills to manage your thoughts and emotions.
- Increasing motivation.
- Managing pain.
- Increasing joy.
Music therapy usually takes place at hospitals, schools, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, mental health centers and residences for individuals with developmental disabilities.
More so, music therapy can be delivered outpatient or inpatient depends on the individual program. You may be able to come in for sessions during the day (just like a counseling appointment), or a music therapist may come to you while you’re admitted into the hospital or at school.
But, what happens during music therapy? That depends on the patient. However, therapists will do one or more of the following:
- Create music. You might compose music, write lyrics, or make up music together
- Sing music. Use your voice to share a piece of music.
- Listen to music. Enjoy the sound and lyrics.
- Move to music. It can be as simple as tapping your toes together or as complicated as a coordinated dance.
- Discuss lyrics. Read or listen to the lyrics of a song and talk about their meaning.
- Play an instrument. Use an instrument like a piano, guitar, drums, etc. to share music.
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This article is a re-post, with minor modifications, of “Music Therapy,” an article published on clevelandclinic.org
