Breaking the Silence: How Music Therapy Can Improve Your Well-being

Therapy comes in many forms, but music therapy is often overlooked because it is not as commonly advertised. This unique form of therapy can assist with a wide range of emotional and physical needs. This article covers the potential benefits of this form of therapy and offers ideas about where to get started.

By Mallory Lindahl 

The word “therapy” can strike fear into the hearts of those who hear it. It forces us to be vulnerable. Being vulnerable is one of the most difficult things to prioritize, given the stigma surrounding mental illness. One of the common misconceptions about therapy is that it has only one form: you enter an office, greet a stranger, sit on a couch opposite them, and then you’re expected to unleash your deepest feelings within a 45-minute appointment. The truth is that therapy comes in many different forms. Finding what works best for you is the first step to a successful journey with therapy! 

This article will focus on an overlooked form of treatment: music therapy. The American Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as “The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship” (2). This form of therapy is quite adaptive and can be applied to many different patients with unique needs. For example, music therapy can encourage physical movement and help to develop cognitive abilities. Music therapy can also help with social confidence and emotional well-being, having an overall positive effect on physical and mental health. 

The benefits of music on health and education can be traced back to the times of Plato and Aristotle. Plato believed that music was an essential part of an individual’s education, as it could help their soul become whole. Music could be simplified such that even a baby could learn it and feel its positive effects, like when a mother rocks her child to sleep while singing a lullaby (4). Aristotle, one of Plato’s students, felt very similar to Plato. He believed music could introduce harmony, habit, and reason into one’s life. In Aristotle’s Politics, he states that learning an instrument is one of the greatest pleasures humans can partake in  because music has a “natural sweetness.” According to him, engaging in activities that bring reason along with delight are the best for our development (4).  

The study of music has certainly come a long way since the time of Plato and Aristotle, though these philosophies are largely still accepted by musicians and music therapists alike. However, it’s important to recognize that a musician is not automatically a music therapist. Becoming a certified music therapist in the United States requires a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a passing score on the national examination offered by the Certified Board of Music Therapists (2). This means it’s probably not a good idea to ask your friend who plays the piano to give you a therapy session. While music can always please our ears and minds, official music therapy is best practiced by a professional! 

Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community mental health centers, schools, assisted living centers, nursing homes, agencies that serve patients with developmental disabilities, and more. However, you don’t need to necessarily travel to one of these places to access a music therapy session. There are many therapists that practice privately, many of which can be found through a quick Google search, depending on where you live. You can learn more about databases and resources here. 

Music therapy is one of the most flexible forms of therapy. Sessions can involve helping you learn an instrument, writing and singing songs, listening to music to help with memory (especially for Alzheimer’s patients), playing music to boost confidence and mood, and using different instruments to provide various tactile sensations (sometimes used for patients with autism). Because this form of therapy is so adaptable, there really is no typical session. Also, it’s important to recognize that you do not need any sort of specific musical ability to partake in a session, and music therapists are trained to adapt their practices to best suit your needs. However, if you are a trained musician, music therapy can help bring an element of joy and relaxation back into your practice. 

Several studies have shown that music can greatly affect our moods and overall states of mind. For example, a 2013 study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to upbeat music found that their mood and general happiness improved in a few weeks (1). Even “sad sounding” music can help improve your state of mind—some people feel like sad music expresses their pain when they are unable to do so (3). Additionally, many people prefer the methods of music therapy; it’s non-invasive for therapy newcomers, very safe, affordable, and it can be great fun!  

Learning more about music therapy can help you develop a deeper appreciation for the music you listen to every day. Think of your favorite song– how does it make you feel? If you ever find that you are unable to express exactly how you are feeling, search for a playlist, pick up your instrument, or sing along to music that helps you find the words you may be unable to find. It is always best to break the silence when we are suffering and feeling alone. One way to start breaking this silence is to let music become a tool for reflection and wellness. And if you’d like to enhance your love of music with some help from a trained professional, consider seeking out music therapy! 

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Bibliography:

[1] Aimm.edu. “How Does Music Affect Your Mood? | Music and Emotion Relationship,” last 

modified August 2, 2019,  

https://www.aimm.edu/blog/how-does-music-affect-your-mood

[2] American Music Therapy Association. “What is Music Therapy,” Accessed July 7, 2020, 

https://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/

[3] Garrido, Sandra., “Sad music and depression: Does it help?” The Conversation, last 

modified October 12, 2016,  

https://theconversation.com/sad-music-and-depression-does-it-help-66123

[4] Schoen-Nazzaro, Mary B., “Plato and Aristotle on the Ends of Music,” Laval 

théologique et philosophique 34, no. 3 (1978): 261-263