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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Top 5 Benefits of Music Therapy
Music therapy may help you psychologically, emotionally, physically,
spiritually, cognitively and socially. A short list of benefits includes:
Music can call up repressed (bottled up) emotions that may then be
released.
Music can affect the body by changing your heart rate and lowering blood
pressure and respiration (breathing) rate.
