Music Therapists Near Me

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FAQs:

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the naturally mood-lifting properties of music to help people improve their mental health and overall well-being.1  It’s a goal-oriented intervention that may involve:

- Making music

- Writing songs

- Singing

- Dancing

- Listening to music

- Discussing music  

This form of treatment may be helpful for people with depression and anxiety, and it may help improve the quality of life for people with physical health problems.2 Anyone can engage in music therapy; you don’t need a background in music to experience its beneficial effects.

What Do Music Therapists Do?

Music therapists are trained professionals who accept referrals, observe clients’ behavior and interactions, and assess their behavioral, emotional, psycho-social, cognitive, academic, communication, language, perceptual, sensory, motor, and musical skills.

After designing realistic goals and target objectives to address identified needs, music therapists plan and implement individualized music therapy treatment programs with strategies, procedures, and interventions to develop skills necessary to achieve an optimum level of success or quality of life for individuals with diagnoses on the autism spectrum.

Music therapists document client responses, conduct ongoing evaluations of progress and performance, and make recommendations for future consideration. Music therapists work with team members and families, providing ways to include successful music therapy techniques that support treatment across all disciplines and in other aspects of clients’ lives.

How Does Music Therapy Work?

Music therapy research and clinical practice have proven to be effective with people of all ages and abilities. Whether a person’s challenges are physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological, music therapy can address a person’s needs. At its core, music therapy is the interaction between a therapist, a client (or clients), and the use of music. A certified music therapist assesses the client(s) and creates a clinical plan for treatment in conjunction with team and client goals, which in turn determines the course of clinical sessions. A certified music therapist works within a client-centered, goal-directed framework.

How Does Music Therapy Relieve Pain?

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:

1. Chronic conditions: Music therapy can be part of a long-term plan for managing chronic pain, and it may help people recapture and focus on positive memories from a time before they had distressing long-term pain symptoms.

2. Labor and childbirth: Music therapy-assisted childbirth appears to be a positive, accessible, non-pharmacological option for pain management and anxiety reduction for laboring people.

3. Surgery: When paired with standard post-operative hospital care, music therapy is an effective way to lower pain levels, anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure in people recovering from surgery.

How Does Music Therapy Help Depression?

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 2016, 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.

Who Can Benefit from Music Therapy?

Everyone from children to the elderly can benefit from music therapy. It can be conducive for those with mental health needs, specifically social, developmental, and learning disabilities. Music therapy delivers a unique approach to mental health and opens avenues for healing and expression that simply aren’t available in other forms of therapy. While it can assist in the development of communicative, social, emotional, and cognitive skills for people of all ages, starting young people with music therapy early can have a huge impact on their development. It can help develop skills for autonomy and prepare young people for physical, social, and emotional changes later in life. And don’t let the word “therapy” affect you — students with special needs are not the only youngsters who can benefit from music therapy. Music therapy can assist all developing youth by providing an engaging educational opportunity that gives young people structure and meaning in their lives.

What is the Difference Between Music Therapy and Sound Therapy?

Music therapy and sound therapy (or sound healing) are distinctive, and each approach has its own goals, protocols, tools, and settings. Music therapy is a relatively new discipline, while sound therapy is based on ancient Tibetan cultural practices. Sound therapy uses tools to achieve specific sound frequencies, while music therapy focuses on addressing symptoms like stress and pain. The training and certifications that exist for sound therapy are not as standardized as those for music therapists. Music therapists often work in hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, or private practices, while sound therapists may offer their service as a component of complementary or alternative medicine.

How Music Therapy Helps Autism?

Music therapy may help people with autism to improve skills in areas such as communication, social skills, sensory issues, behavior, cognition, perceptual/motor skills, and self-reliance or self-determination.1 The therapist finds music experiences that strike a chord with a particular person, making personal connections and building trust.

According to a meta-study that looked at outcomes, "Reported benefits included, but were not limited to increased appropriate social behavior; increased attention to task; increased vocalization, verbalization, gesture, and vocabulary comprehension; increased communication and social skills; enhanced body awareness and coordination; improved self-care skills; and reduced anxiety”. Another study suggests that family-centered music therapy can build stronger parent-child bonds. 

People on the autism spectrum are often especially interested in and responsive to music. Because music is motivating and engaging, it may be used as a natural "reinforcer" for desired responses. Music therapy can also help those with sensory aversions to certain sounds to cope with sound sensitivities or individual differences in auditory processing.

If your child already seems to enjoy and respond to music, it may be worth your while to look into music therapy providers.

How Does Music Therapy Help With Sleep?

The ability to hear music depends on a series of steps that convert sound waves coming into the ear into electrical signals in the brain. As the brain interprets these sounds, a cascade of physical effects are triggered within the body. Many of these effects either directly promote sleep or reduce issues that interfere with sleep.

Several studies suggest that music enhances sleep because of its effects on the regulation of hormones, including the stress hormone cortisol. Being stressed and having elevated levels of cortisol can increase alertness and lead to poor sleep. Listening to music decreases levels of cortisol, which may explain why it helps put people at ease and release stress.

Music triggers the release of dopamine, a hormone released during pleasurable activities, like eating, exercise, and sex. This release can boost good feelings at bedtime and address pain, another common cause of sleep issues. Physical and psychological responses to music are effective in reducing both acute and chronic physical pain.

Listening to music can also contribute to relaxation by soothing the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is part of your body’s natural system for controlling automatic or unconscious processes, including those within the heart, lungs, and digestive system. Music improves sleep through calming parts of the autonomic nervous system, leading to slower breathing, lower heart rate, and reduced blood pressure.

Many people with poor sleep associate their bedrooms with frustration and sleepless nights. Music can counteract this, distracting from troubling or anxious thoughts and encouraging the physical and mental relaxation needed to fall asleep.

Night-time noise, whether it’s from roads, airplanes, or noisy neighbors, can decrease sleep efficiency and is linked to several adverse health consequences including cardiovascular disease. Music can help to drown out these environmental noises and increase sleep efficiency.

How Often Do We Need Music Therapy?

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.

Is Music Therapy a Psychological Therapy?

Music Therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, delivered by HCPC registered music therapists to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs.

When Was Music Therapy Invented?

The idea of using music for healing and changing health and behavior certainly goes as far back as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. In some cultures, (like Egyptian and Chinese) it goes back even farther. The earliest known reference to music therapy appeared in the late 18th century in an article in Columbian Magazine called "Music Physically Considered." In the early 19th century, writings on the healing powers of music came up in two medical dissertations, one written by Edwin Atlee in 1804 and another written by Samuel Mathews in 1806. What Atlee and Mathews had in common was that they were both students of Dr. Benjamin Rush, a physician and psychiatrist who believed in using music to treat physical health problems. 

The 19th century was also when the first psychological intervention that used music therapy was noted. It took place at Blackwell’s Island in New York. The 19th century also saw the first known experiment using music therapy for mental health, where a psychiatrist used music to change the dream states of patients during therapy.

What Music Therapy Can Help With

Music therapy may be helpful for people experiencing:

- Alzheimer’s disease

- Anxiety or stress

- Autism

- Cardiac conditions

- Chronic pain

- Depression

- Diabetes

- Difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication

- Emotional dysregulation

- Feelings of low self-esteem

- Headaches

- Impulsivity

- Negative mood

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Problems related to childbirth

- Rehabilitation after an injury or medical procedure

- Respiration problems

- Substance use disorders

- Surgery-related issues

- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

- The trouble with movement or coordination

Research also suggests that it can be helpful for people with:

- Insomnia

- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

- Schizophrenia

- Stroke and neurological disorders

Music therapy is also often used to help children and adolescents:

- Develop their identities

- Improve their communication skills

- Learn to regulate their emotions

- Recover from trauma

- Self-reflect

Who Do Music Therapists Work With?

People of all backgrounds, ages, and cultures can respond to music, and to music therapy. Notable groups music therapists have helped include:

1. Military service members and veterans. Music therapy helps you cope with trauma.

2. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Individuals on the spectrum learn best when there is familiarity, structure, predictability, and consistency.

3. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Music therapy may help with memory and stimulate your mind because of predictability, familiarity, and feelings of security.

4. People in correctional settings. If you’re incarcerated, in a mental health facility, halfway house, or group home, music therapy may help with problem-solving, communication skills, relaxation, and decreasing impulsivity.

5. Victims of trauma and crisis. If you’ve experienced trauma and crisis, you might have anxiety, stress, and pain. Music therapy can help you with decreasing those three experiences, improving your mood, feeling confident and in control, and providing a non-verbal outlet for emotions.

6. Those who are physically ill. The list includes, but is not limited to people with chronic pain, diabetes, cardiac conditions, cancer, headaches, recent surgery, and people in rehab.

7. Individuals with mental health disorders. If you’re dealing with a mental health disorder, music therapy can help you with communication and expression, help you explore your thoughts and feelings, improve your mood and concentration and develop coping skills.

8. People with chronic pain. Music therapy can help decrease your pain, anxiety, fatigue, and depression.

9. Substance abusers. Music therapy may help if you have a substance abuse disorder. Research has shown that it can increase motivation and self-esteem, reduce muscle tension, decrease anxiety, improve self-awareness, and strengthen coping skills.

Where Music Therapy Takes Place

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:

- Clinic

- Community health center

- Correctional facility

- Hospital

- Private Office

- Physical therapy practice

- Rehabilitation facility

Wherever it happens to be, the room you work in together will be a calm environment with no outside distractions.

Types of Music Therapy

Music therapy can be an active process, where clients play a role in creating music, or a passive one that involves listening or responding to music. Some therapists may use a combined approach that involves both active and passive interactions with music. There are a variety of approaches established in music therapy, including:

1. Analytical music therapy: Analytical music therapy encourages you to use an improvised, musical "dialogue" through singing or playing an instrument to express your unconscious thoughts, which you can reflect on and discuss with your therapist afterward.

2. Benenzon music therapy: This format combines some concepts of psychoanalysis with the process of making music. Benenzon music therapy includes the search for your "musical sound identity," which describes the external sounds that most closely match your internal psychological state.

3. Cognitive behavioral music therapy (CBMT): This approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with music. In CBMT, music is used to reinforce some behaviors and modify others. This approach is structured, not improvisational, and may include listening to music, dancing, singing, or playing an instrument.

4. Community music therapy: This format is focused on using music as a way to facilitate change on the community level. It’s done in a group setting and requires a high level of engagement from each member.

5. Nordoff-Robbins music therapy: Also called creative music therapy, this method involves playing an instrument (often a cymbal or drum) while the therapist accompanies using another instrument. The improvisational process uses music as a way to help enable self-expression. The Bonny method of guided imagery and music (GIM): This form of therapy uses classical music as a way to stimulate the imagination. In this method, you explain the feelings, sensations, memories, and imagery you experience while listening to the music.

6. Vocal psychotherapy: In this format, you use various vocal exercises, natural sounds, and breathing techniques to connect with your emotions and impulses. This practice is meant to create a deeper sense of connection with yourself.

The Benefits of Music Therapy

Now that we know how music therapy and mental illness interrelate, we can clarify why music can be helpful to those who struggle with their mental health.

1. Developing effective coping mechanisms

Certain breathing methods, rhythmic and auditory grounding, musical relaxation, and diversion are some of the coping skills that music therapy can teach people. These tactics are taught in music therapy so that when a crisis occurs, one learns how to use them effectively and cope with external influences or triggers.

2. Positive emotional behavior development

Music therapy can assist in identifying and naming emotions in a safe setting, which can lead to improved communication with others. Emotional awareness and nonverbal expression are also part of emotional behavior. Music therapy can help people learn to securely communicate their feelings vocally and nonverbally to improve emotional regulation.

3. Increasing your tolerance for frustration

Music therapy allows people to work on frustration tolerance in a controlled atmosphere while doing something creative. A music therapist, for example, might ask the patient to participate in a structured improvisation based on themes related to mental health (e.g., triggers, overcoming frustration, coping with an onslaught of emotions during a panic attack). Practicing these internal reactions is part of developing strategies for dealing with frustration and avoiding being sent “over the edge.” In tandem with learning to deal with negative emotions like frustration, music therapy can also assist clients in developing relaxation skills that can be used before, during, or after demanding situations.

4. Improving interpersonal communication

While mental health is often considered private, it significantly influences our interpersonal connections. Isolation or lashing out are common symptoms of a mental health struggle. These interactions can happen with family, friends, significant others, colleagues, or a stranger on the street. Music therapy for mental illness can help people practice social skills that they can then apply in their everyday lives. These sessions are usually done in a group environment in music therapy, but sessions may also be done privately.

5. Improving one’s self-image

Mental health issues can harm self-esteem and negatively affect our picture of ourselves. Music therapy can build self-confidence and increase awareness of one’s own behavior. When you’re at your lowest, it’s challenging to be kind to yourself. A music therapist can help people identify the positive traits that they’ve lost sight of (or, sadly, perhaps never even noticed about themselves). Not to mention, the simple act of creating music and/or engaging with others builds self-esteem in and of itself.

What Happens Before Music Therapy

Before the session, your music therapist will assess your needs and your strengths. You may discuss:

- Emotional well-being.

- Physical health.

- Physiological responses.

- Perceptual/motor skills.

- Social functioning.

- Communication abilities.

- Cognitive (mental and intellectual) skills.

- Musical background and skills.

- Trauma history.

- Trauma triggers.

Your music therapist will also talk with you about any background you might have in music and your musical preferences. They will then work with you to identify goals and design appropriate music therapy experiences for the session. In doing so, they’ll consider:

1. Your music preferences and interests

2. Your age and developmental level.

3. Your physical abilities.

4. Your cognitive abilities.

5. Your trauma triggers.

What Happens During Music Therapy

During music therapy, you and your therapist will do one or more of the following:

1. Create music. You might compose music, write lyrics, or makeup music together

2. Sing music. Use your voice to share a piece of music.

3. Listen to music. Enjoy the sound and lyrics.

4. Move to music. It can be as simple as tapping your toes together or as complicated as a coordinated dance.

5. Discuss lyrics. Read or listen to the lyrics of a song and talk about their meaning.

6. Play an instrument. Use an instrument like a piano, guitar, drum, etc. to share music.

What to Look for in a Music Therapist

While music therapy may not be a helpful approach for everyone, many people have found it beneficial. Start by looking for a board-certified music therapist. In the U.S., the certification process requires therapists to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree in music therapy at an approved institution, along with clinical training and a supervised internship. Therapists then must complete a board certification test. The Certification Board for Music Therapists grants practitioners the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist-Board Certified).

Seeking out a therapist with whom the client feels a connection is also valuable. Creating a strong foundation of trust and appreciation can help an individual embrace the process and find success in therapy.

You may want to ask the music therapist a few questions before getting started:

1. How would they help with your particular concerns?

2. Have they dealt with this type of problem before?

3. What is their process?

4. What is their timeline for treatment?

How to Find a Board Certified Music Therapist

Music therapists must earn a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy from an American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) approved college and university program; complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training; and pass a national examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to obtain the credential required for professional practice, Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).

Some music therapists work in school settings as a related service on a child's Individual Education Plan (IEP), either hired or contracted by a school district. Others have private practices or work for agencies that specialize in treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities. Some states fund music therapy services through Medicaid Waivers or other state programs. Private health insurance reimbursement usually requires pre-approval on a case-by-case basis.

Sources:

Very Well Mind

MTABC

Save the Music

Psychology Today

Incadence

AMTA

Sleep Foundation

BAMT

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.