Why music therapy?
Ah, music…feel-good, soulful music. Music that makes us laugh, music that makes us cry. Music that can transport us back in time, and that for a moment, or at least while the song lasts, it makes us believe that not even one minute has passed. Music that represents one of the simple joys in life.
In therapy, Board Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC) utilize music as an outlet for emotional expression, as a tool to explore personal feelings and as a way to gain personal insight & resilience. Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals (AMTA, n.d.).
Usually, client’s preferred music is provided to address the needs of each client in the form of therapeutic interventions such as making, singing, moving, and/or listening to music.
Board-Certified music therapists are trained in music therapy specific coursework and other areas such as psychology, music, biological, social and behavioral sciences, disabilities, and counseling. In order to receive the MT-BC credentials (music therapist, board certified), the completion of at least a bachelors degree in music therapy is required as well as taking the national examination (in the USA) administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, Inc. You can learn more about the education of a music therapist here.
In summary, working with a music therapist will allow you and/or or your loved one to work alongside a qualified professional to achieve wellness goals with music in the form of music therapy interventions such as listening to music for discussion and reminiscence, singing for self-expression, songwriting for personal reflection, improvisation for emotional exploration, instrument playing for socialization and increased engagement, etc.
Some wellness goals addressed in music therapy are:
Improving self-esteem
Promoting socialization
Developing coping skills
Reduce stress and anxiety
Increase sense of self-control
Supporting the grieving process
Decreasing anxiety & depression
Management of pain and discomfort
Facilitating verbal & non-verbal communication
Enhancing expressive and receptive communication
Enhance emotional connection with family members and/or caregivers
Learn more about how music therapy can help you here.