Music therapy can be beneficial for both mental health and substance abuse treatment. However, not all treatments are perfect for everyone. This blog will discuss what music therapy entails, typical sessions, and what cases see the best results.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a restorative method that uses the proven benefits of music in a clinical setting. This therapy doesn’t require any prior musical knowledge or experience. When listening to or creating music, individuals with varying illnesses can experience stress relief, enhanced mood, and a distraction from uncomfortable symptoms. Additionally, music therapy can benefit those overcoming mental illness, substance abuse, and physical illnesses.
There are different types of music therapy, with some having individuals listen to music and others making music. Not to be confused with sound therapy, music therapy focuses on conventional music, while sound therapy uses sound frequencies to promote healing. Sound therapy is based on traditional Tibetan culture and has been around for centuries. On the other hand, music therapy is considered a modern therapeutic approach.
Sonic or sound treatment is both an art and a science. It has also been demonstrated that this therapy can improve the quality of life and cognitive functioning, physical abilities, emotional and affective development, behavior, and social skills.
Music and Mental Health
According to the Frontiers in Psychology, individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, drug use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, and more have shown positive results when undergoing music therapy. One research study found that music therapy clients with depression experienced greater symptom relief than those undergoing standard care treatment.Â
You should consider this therapy method if you want to reduce depressive symptoms, enhance emotional expression, promote healthy relationships, and deal with feelings of isolation or grief. Music therapy can be customized for people with different concerns, backgrounds, and ages. No matter the individual, music therapy can target areas of the brain involved in memory, emotions, movement, sensory processing, decision-making, and reward.Â
What to Expect During Music Therapy
A musical therapist will first create a personalized plan to target different issues and discover what goals you wish to accomplish in terms of your mental health. Whether you are participating in individual therapy or group therapy, you can expect to do any of the following:
- Listen to music
- Write or discuss lyrics
- Compose music
- Play instruments
- Dance to different types of music
- Sing and express yourself
Mental health professionals have also blended cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with music therapy. Music is employed in cognitive behavioral music therapy to change unhealthy or negative behaviors and encourage positive coping skills. This method is organized and not improvised; it could involve dancing, singing, or playing an instrument.
Your music therapist will assess the success of the music therapy session and decide whether your objectives were accomplished. You are free to attend more than one session and continue your musical journey to emotional healing.
Music Therapy Certification by the AMTA
You should always ensure that your potential music therapist is certified by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). The AMTAÂ is an organization of professionals devoted to the promotion of knowledge, qualifications, training, and research in support of the field of music therapy.Â
A bachelor’s degree or higher from one of the 70 universities and colleges on the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) accredited university or college program list is needed to practice as a professional music therapist. The program aims to teach expertise in three key areas, including those covered by the AMTA Professional Competencies: musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations.
The organization serves as a hub for both research and the innovative development of music therapy. We at Avalon Malibu continue to look for personalized treatment for chemical and emotional dependency for our clients, as music therapy is used in special education and community settings.
Heal at Avalon Malibu
Music-based therapy is used at Avalon Malibu’s alcohol and drug rehabilitation center and in our mental health treatment program to treat and heal behavioral and emotional issues. Music therapy specifically affects our clients’ emotional and social well-being, promoting a sense of autonomy and individuality.
Our Avalon Malibu music program provides a creative outlet to help people cope with difficult times and let go of or regulate their emotions. We use music as part of our therapy to help people feel less stressed and anxious, which can help fight depression or even prevent it.
At Avalon Malibu, our program is based on a variety of theoretical frameworks, including psychodynamic, behavioral, and humanistic methods. Methods are categorized as being either active or receptive and improvised or organized. Our knowledgeable staff can help you discover which form of music therapy is right for you and your unique needs.Â
Music therapy is just one of the many innovative and successful methods used at Avalon Malibu for successful recovery and rehabilitation. If mental illness or substance abuse has taken control of your life, it’s time to receive help. We offer various forms of treatment, including residential and outpatient. Residential treatment will allow your loved one to be in a healing environment with round-the-clock professional care. Meanwhile, our intensive outpatient program is best for those who wish to stay in their home while receiving complete care. We can help you and your loved one discover which treatment program is right for them. To learn more about using music therapy in treatment, call (844) 857-5992.
