Music Therapy

Most of us will have experienced how music can change the way we feel, coming home after a particularly stressful day at work, or having put the children to bed and now you have some time to yourself you put some classical music on the stereo and just sit back and relax. Music can also be used as part of therapy in a wide variety of different circumstances and with different people; this therapy can be not only by listening but also playing and singing.You by no means have to become an expert it doesn’t mean that you will have to learn a particular instrument but rather patients are encourage to use a variety of instruments such as percussion.

There is no set type of music that the patient has to adhere to and no one particular song that has to be learnt in fact most the music will be improvised. Whatever the form of music the sole purpose is to promote an overall feeling of well being and assist in positive behavioural changes.

Music therapy can be in individual sessions or group sessions although for the therapy to be successful there are certain criteria that must be met. The room in which the therapy will be held must be private so there is little chance of being disturbed once the session has started. Instruments used for therapy must be varied and tape and video facilities are also preferable.

Certain clinical considerations must also be taken into account such as the sessions should always be in the same room every week, the length of time of the session and total commitment by members of those assisting in the therapy sessions is important.

Who Is Music Therapy Aimed At?

Music therapy is a valuable aid for almost anyone but is especially beneficial to people suffering from the following disorders.

HIV/AIDS, Autism, addiction, people with mental health problems, people of all ages with learning disorders, emotional and behavioural difficulties, epilepsy, people suffering from eating disorders, victims of sexual and mental abuse, communication problems and is beneficial in the treatment of stress management.

How Does Music Therapy Help?

Benefit can be gained in several ways from music therapy; music is a great way of expressing feelings and thoughts without the need for words so for the person suffering from emotional problems can benefit greatly for they use the music as a safe way of releasing feelings which they may have repressed.

A sense of great achievement and confidence can be gained from music therapy and it can assist in concentration and help develop memory and attention span. In fact as each person has different needs music therapy is beneficial to a wide variety of problems and the possibilities for improvement in those problem areas are endless.