Music Therapy

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KEY POINTS

• Music therapy may involve singing, listening, moving, playing instruments, and other creative activities to treat physical and mental health problems.
• Music therapists may work with healthcare providers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and speech/language pathologists. To find a therapist, ask questions and get referrals from your healthcare provider and people you know and trust.

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What is music therapy?

This therapy uses music to treat physical and mental health problems. Music therapy may involve singing, listening, moving, playing instruments, and other creative activities. Music therapists may also suggest ways to use music at home.

When is it used?

Music therapy may help children:

• Explore and express feelings without using words
• Improve feelings about self
• Make positive changes in moods and emotions
• Be more aware of self and environment
• Learn relaxation skills
• Improve concentration, attention span, memory, and learning
• Develop skills in talking or moving
• Manage pain
• Improve relationship skills
• Recover from traumatic brain injury or a stroke

How does it work?

Music therapy may involve listening, singing, creating, moving, and feeling. Working with a music therapist can help your child relax and focus on changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The effect of music depends on pitch, volume, harmony, melody, and rhythm.

• The pitch is produced by the number of vibrations, or frequency, of the sound. Fast vibrations, or high frequency, can make a child nervous. Slow or low frequency vibrations have a calming effect.
• Loud volume of music may feel comforting for some. For others, loud volume can create stress. A soft volume may soothe, or it may irritate a child who prefers a high volume.
• Harmony and melody may be used to relate to happy, sad, or angry feelings.
• Rhythm affects the human heartbeat. Rhythm can make your child excited, nervous, or deeply relaxed. As your child’s body gets relaxed, your child’s mind can concentrate more easily. Rhythm may help treat some speech and language problems. Rhythm also supports and encourages movement.

How do I find a therapist?

Music therapists may work with healthcare providers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and speech/language pathologists. Ask questions and get referrals from people you know and trust. You could check with:

• Your healthcare provider, school teachers, or school counselors
• Friends or family members who have been in therapy
• Your health insurance company
• Your employee assistance program (EAP) at work
• Local mental health or human service agencies
• Professional associations of psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors

For more information, contact:

• American Music Therapy Association
  301-589-3300
  https://www.musictherapy.org/