Music therapy is a clinical use of music that aids in curbing a variety of problems like cardiac issues, depression, autism, substance abuse, and so on. Everett Thayer Gaston was a trained clinical psychologist and is known as the “Father of Music Therapy”.
Music therapy not only cures mental and physical illnesses but is also an evidence-based therapy that helps to reduce stress, elevate mood, and build self-confidence. It includes listening, singing, composing a song, or even playing any musical instrument. Talents or any musical skills are not compulsory to participate in musical therapy. Music therapy was first defined and used by the United States war department in 1945, as it helped the military soldiers recover quickly. Music therapists work in hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health centres.
Steps in Music Therapy Include
Before the therapy starts, the music therapist assesses the patient's needs and problems. The patient can discuss their trauma history, social functioning, musical background or skills (if any), mental, cognitive, and emotional well-being, and any musical tastes. After listening to the patient, the therapist will identify and design the right type of music therapy. The timing is decided according to the patient’s needs. Usually, it lasts for 30 to 50 minutes.
Following are the steps that the therapists follow:
Motivate the patient to compose music or write lyrics together
Engage the patient to sing along with them
Encourage the patient to listen to and enjoy the sound and the lyrics
Dancing to the music together
Discuss the lyrics of the song and talk about what they inferred
Different musical instruments like guitar, piano or drums are also used by the therapist to engage the patient and heal them.
Types of Music Therapy
Music therapy can be a passive or active approach to healing the patient. During the active process, the clients themselves create, sing, or play music. On the contrary, in the passive process, the patient reciprocates simply by listening to or responding to the music. It always depends on the patient which approach will be chosen by the therapist; however, some therapists use both methods.
Some of the variety of approaches that are established in music therapy are:
Cognitive-behavioral Music Therapy (CBMT)
It is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with music. This approach is structured and involves listening to music, dancing, singing, or playing any instrument.
Community Music Therapy
This method focuses on group-level participation. It includes a group setting and a higher level of engagement from all the participants.
Analytical Music Therapy
In this therapy, the patient plays or sings a musical dialogue with an instrument. This enables them to express their unconscious thoughts or feelings, which then can be discussed with the therapist afterward.
Vocal Psychotherapy
In this therapy, various natural sounds, breathing exercises, and vocal exercises are used to connect with the patient’s emotions and thoughts. It is done to build a deep connection with the self.
Music therapy is often done one-on-one; however, it can be done in groups as well. The sessions are usually practised in rehabilitation centres, hospitals, community health centres, clinics, private offices, physical therapy practises, and so on.
Potential Benefits of Music Therapy Are
Research has proven that music therapy helps people who are suffering from depression and sleep disorders like insomnia. When compared to the medication needed for sleep disorders, sleep therapy is found to be more light, has no side effects, and is affordable and convenient.
For people suffering from depression, music therapy was way more effective when it was combined with usual treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy. The research was conducted by combining music therapy and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and it was found that it worked miraculously for the patients.
Suffering from cancer is way more mentally and physically draining. Nevertheless, music therapy aided the cancer patients and elevated their emotional and spiritual well-being, and reduced anxiety. It was also helpful in decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy.
Music therapy is also used in reducing chronic and acute pain. Research has shown that listening to music while healing from surgery helped patients to cope with the physical pain. It is also effective in reducing the pain caused by childbirth and labour, surgery, and so on.
In general, music therapy releases endorphin hormone to decrease blood pressure, stress, and heart rate, relaxes muscles, relieves stress, and positively affects memory, emotions, decision-making skills and, overall brain functioning.
Conclusion
To conclude, music therapy is one of the therapies used by mental health professionals to curb various mental and physical problems in their patients. Any prior talent is not required to be a part of this session. It usually lasts for 30 to 50 minutes and can depend on the patient's needs. It is a scientific approach that uses the potential benefits of music. Before the session, the patient explains their problems to the therapist and their taste in music, if any. The therapist lends his ears and, after listening, designs the appropriate approach for the problem. During the session, the patient and the therapist can jot down some lyrics or just enjoy listening, singing, or even playing a musical instrument. They can dance together and discuss the lyrics of the song. Various types of music therapy include Cognitive-behavioral Music Therapy, vocal psychotherapy, community music therapy, and so on. Some of its potential benefits include: decreased stress, anxiety, depression, heart rate, blood pressure, pain, insomnia, and an elevated good mood, mental peace, good decision-making skills, and so on.
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