What is musical therapy

Mark, a year-old man, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident resulting in impaired speech, cognition, and movement. When Mark first started working with a music therapist he was unable to balance himself without support. Initially he was only able to play in this position for 5-second bursts, however by practicing with appropriately paced, rhythmic music Mark became able to sit independently and play for increasing periods of time before tiring.

Gradually, the drum was moved further away to challenge his active balance and further strengthen his trunk muscles, and later, additional drums were added to encourage his reach side-to-side and in front or behind.

These improvements made through music therapy transferred to other functional tasks such as reaching to pick up objects independently. Toggle navigation. Home Music Therapy. Music Therapy 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.

Where do music therapists practise? Listening to music can also release dopamine, which is a hormone that makes people feel good, and endorphins, which are hormones that can induce happy moods and relieve pain. Although music therapy is not a cure for depression, it can offer short-term benefits by improving mood and encouraging connection and self-expression.

Some of the benefits of music therapy for children include:. Although music therapy is not a cure for any mental health condition, it can be an effective and enjoyable tool for reducing the symptoms of numerous conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Music therapy offers people a creative and accessible way of expressing their feelings and processing their experiences.

People have used music for its powerful effects on mood and emotions for a long time. Aside from helping with mental health conditions, music therapy also has numerous other benefits, such as providing a creative outlet, expanding knowledge and cultural awareness, and improving cognitive skills such as memory.

Read this article in Spanish. There is no simple set of rules or signs that a person needs therapy. Some people prefer solving issues alone, while others prefer seeking help. Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is a short-term talking therapy where a professional counselor or therapist works with an individual to help them….

Psychotherapy can help people with various psychological conditions, including stress, phobias, and bipolar disorder. Learn more about the options…. Therapy is a form of treatment aimed at resolving mental or emotional issues. There are many types of therapy available. Learn more. What is music therapy, and how does it work?

Definition How it works History and origins Vs. What is music therapy? Share on Pinterest Image credit: Getty Images. How does music therapy work? History and origins. Music therapy vs. How it helps with anxiety. How it helps with depression. You may also use music to explore ways to change how you feel.

If you express anger or stress, your music therapist might respond by having you listen to or create music with slow, soft, soothing tones. Music therapy is often one-on-one, but you may also choose to participate in group sessions if they are available. Sessions with a music therapist take place wherever they practice, which might be a:. Wherever it happens to be, the room you work in together will be a calm environment with no outside distractions.

Music therapy may be helpful for people experiencing:. Research also suggests that it can be helpful for people with:. Music therapy is also often used to help children and adolescents:. Music therapy can be highly personalized, making it suitable for people of any age—even very young children can benefit. Engaging with music can:. Research has also shown that music can have a powerful effect on people with dementia and other memory-related disorders.

Overall, music therapy can increase positive feelings, like:. The uses and benefits of music therapy have been researched for decades. Key findings from clinical studies have shown that music therapy may be helpful for people with depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, and even cancer. Studies have shown that music therapy can be an effective component of depression treatment. According to the research cited, the use of music therapy was most beneficial to people with depression when it was combined with the usual treatments such as antidepressants and psychotherapy.

When used in combination with other forms of treatment, music therapy may also help reduce obsessive thoughts , depression, and anxiety in people with OCD. In , researchers conducted a feasibility study that explored how music therapy could be combined with CBT to treat depression.

While additional research is needed, the initial results were promising. Many people find that music, or even white noise, helps them fall asleep. Research has shown that music therapy may be helpful for people with sleep disorders or insomnia as a symptom of depression. Compared to pharmaceuticals and other commonly prescribed treatments for sleep disorders, music is less invasive, more affordable, and something a person can do on their own to self-manage their condition.

Music has been explored as a potential strategy for acute and chronic pain management in all age groups. Research has shown that listening to music when healing from surgery or an injury, for example, may help both kids and adults cope with physical pain.

Music therapy may help reduce pain associated with:. Coping with a cancer diagnosis and going through cancer treatment is as much an emotional experience as a physical one. People with cancer often need different sources of support to take care of their emotional and spiritual well-being. Music therapy has been shown to help reduce anxiety in people with cancer who are starting radiation treatments.

It may also help them cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea. On its own, music therapy may not constitute adequate treatment for medical conditions, including mental health disorders. However, when combined with medication, psychotherapy , and other interventions, it can be a valuable component of a treatment plan. You'll also want to check your health insurance benefits prior to starting music therapy. Your sessions may be covered or reimbursable under your plan, but you may need a referral from your doctor.

They can connect you with practitioners in your community. The American Music Therapy Association AMTA also maintains a database of board-certified, credentialed professionals that you can use to find a practicing music therapist in your area. Depending on your goals, a typical music therapy session lasts between 30 and 50 minutes. 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.

Before your first session, you may want to talk things over with your music therapist so you know what to expect and can check in with your primary care physician if needed. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter. Aigen KS. New York; The effects of music therapy on anxiety and depression of cancer patients. Indian J Palliat Care. Chung J, Woods-Giscombe C. Influence of dosage and type of music therapy in symptom management and rehabilitation for individuals with schizophrenia.

Issues Ment Health Nurs.