Music Therapy
“Music therapy uses music-based interventions to address a person’s cognitive, social, emotional, psychological, physical, physiological, and spiritual needs. A credentialed music therapist leads clinical and evidence-based interventions to help achieve your individual therapy goals. Music therapy can provide a beneficial alternative communication and emotional processing method.”
Who do music therapists work with?
Music therapists primarily work with children, adolescents, and adults with cognitive, social, emotional, physical, or physiological needs. Music therapists also work with groups who share common needs or experiences (e.g., cancer patients, Alzheimer’s caregivers, etc.). Music therapy interventions can address many goals, including reducing anxiety, improving communication skills, managing pain, and increasing motor coordination.
What does a music therapy session look like?
A music therapy session is typically 50 minutes long and is led by a credentialed music therapist. The music therapist will use music-based techniques to address the individual’s or group’s therapy goals. Music therapy interventions can be active or passive and include listening to music, playing instruments, singing, songwriting, and moving to music.
Benefits of music therapy
There are many benefits of music therapy, including reducing anxiety, improving communication skills, managing pain, and increasing motor coordination. Music therapy can also provide a beneficial alternative communication and emotional processing method.
What is the evidence for music therapy?
Research on the efficacy of music therapy is ongoing, but there is a growing body of evidence to support the use of music therapy for a variety of populations and needs. Music therapy has been shown to be an effective intervention for reducing anxiety, improving communication skills, managing pain, and increasing motor coordination.
Music Therapy for Children
Music therapy is particularly beneficial for children who are dealing with emotional or behavioral issues. Music therapy can help children to express their feelings, provide emotional support, and manage difficult behaviors. Music also provides a non-threatening form of communication that encourages participation in the therapeutic process.
Music Therapy for Adults
Music therapy can be used to treat adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health issues. Music therapy can provide a safe environment to explore emotions and encourage self-expression. Additionally, music therapy can be used to help people manage stress and improve communication skills.
Music Therapy FAQ's
Many insurance companies cover music therapy, although coverage may vary depending on the insurer. It is best to check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover music therapy services.
A. Music therapists must be credentialed by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). You can find a music therapist in your area through the CBMT website.
The instruments used in music therapy depend on the individual’s needs and preferences. Common instruments used in music therapy include voice, piano, guitar, percussion instruments, and electronic instruments.