Have you ever been in a certain situation, and you just did not know what to do? And it felt as if music solved your problem or helped you out? Well, you probably had your own music therapy session. This topic is relevant because people use music on a daily basis to help with frustration, depression, etc. and it just might be an alternative for illnesses and the addiction recovery process. I am a credible resource because I have done extensive research on this topic. I believe music therapy helps with drug addiction, illness, and depression and can replace medicine that people take for illnesses and also be better than the process people go through with addiction recovery. I am now going to give you the background on music therapy and hopefully persuade some of you that music therapy actually does help and can replace medicine for the greater good.
First of all, what is music therapy and how can it help with drug addiction people may ask. Well, according to wikipedia, music therapy is, (and I quote) “a non verbal approach to the person using instruments and music in general, the use of interventions to accomplish individual goals.” Music therapy originated back in the old times and was usually used to express the way one felt, if they could not express it their self in the ‘common’ way. Usually, people who are in the field to become music therapist are successful musicians and/or have a deep knowledge in music itself and a very big passion for helping other people through music (Harvard Medical School). Music therapy can be a big part of a drug addiction recovery. According to Your First Step, “Music therapy itself is not enough to help individuals recover from substance abuse on its own but it can be a useful supplement to other types of addiction treatment.” Although it is not ‘enough’ for recovering addicts, I believe that one day it actually will be a big part of the recovery process. In group sessions, usually the therapist will get interactive with the individuals and sit in drum circles which encourages group cooperation. They also record their own personal relaxation CD’s that helps reduce fear and anxiety (The Saint Jude Retreats). As said by the Cabin blog, (and I quote) “music therapy can improve
Following the developing of social sciences, everybody has started to get concerned about the issue if music is good for healthy body and mental recently. This phenomenon makes the music therapy becomes popular. Music therapy is defined as “ the therapeutic use of music as to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, promote physical rehabilitation, or enhance interpersonal communication that typically involves listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, or composing music “ in the Merriam-Webster.com. In other words, through the activity of music people can improve physical or psychological disease that achieves cure and health.
Music therapy is not a person with Alzheimer’s listening to his or her favorite songs on an iPod with headphones; however, music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to improve physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Music therapy is only advocated in three states: North Dakota, Nevada, and Georgia. Because not many understand the value of music therapy, it is not advocated in many other states. The goals and accomplishments of music therapy should be acknowledged; people will then realize that music therapy really works. Music therapy should be advocated throughout the states because it is effective, and it improves the lives of people in emotional and physical pain.
A recent study of music therapy interventions was conducted on 1,891 participants. The study was offered by music therapists and medical staff.
“The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’” (Barnett & Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor cases of depression. There have been many studies done showing that MT is an effective form of therapy that can improve someone’s overall Quality Of Life (QOL). MT is known as an alternative technique therapy. It is often used instead of, or along with, medication to produce a result in the patience who need it. MT involves all aspects of the music process, including listening to, writing, singing, and analyzing music. Overall MT addresses physical and emotional problems and is used to enhance the life and health of the patient. This review is simply to inform readers of the effects music and MT has on mental health, specifically:
There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who as completed an approved music therapy program. “Music therapists hope that scientific research continues to define how their work differs from entertainment, and how it benefits patients as much as other more familiar complementary therapies such as art therapy.” (Mellskog) This shows how even though there is little research and evidence on music therapy, it is still very effective and a
According to Geretsegger et al. (2014), music therapy is an effective clinical intervention for a varied of medical conditions, which are profoundly supported by strong scientific evidence on their significance for mood enhancement and stress relief. The five conditions for which music therapy has been studied, backed up by good scientific evidence are; dementia, autism, sleep quality, depression and infant development.
Music therapy is not a new idea. In fact, it’s been used in thousands of civilizations throughout history. The Incan nation thought that a soul was connected to the gods through music and it determined the health, success, and future of every living thing (Stobart et al, 26). But most every nation, from Africa, to Asia, to Europe, has had a history of music being used as a healing tool. There is evidence of music therapy leading to an increase in emotional functions and motor control skills (Warner et al, 15).
I have this theory that when it comes to music there is an unseen power which transforms. In in my life I have felt the influence of this power but it wasn't until the other day that I witnessed this power in action. It was through a procedure called Music Therapy where the method of treatment involves the patient listening to music. The element of music has a history of an intuitive connection that has psychologically been beneficial. Music therapy bands together the concept of music, mental health, psychological, and physiological benefits. With more examinations to estimate the advantages for this procedure more debate arises. Many are eager to
Music Therapists (MTs) borrow from a range of non-music based therapy models in their development of Music Therapy-specific treatment models. Many widely used Music Therapy (MT) techniques have their roots in psychological theories and treatment models. Cognitive Behavioural Music Therapy (CBMT) draws on the widely-used and extensively researched psychology approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address CBT goals through MT interventions. Despite the many parralels between CBT and MT there is limited literature on CBMT; the existing literature indicates that CBMT may be an effective treatment for clients with a variety of needs. Improvisation in CBMT makes up an even smaller portion of the literature, however the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach are congruent with the use of music improvisation.
Do you know those days when you are feeling down and you just listen to music, and your mood elevates? How about those times when you feel alone and you listen to music, and then it seems as if the artist is reaching out to you? Believe it or not, this is musical therapy at work. Musical therapy is not just playing an instrument or dancing to the beat of your favorite song. Music therapy can consist of listening to your favorite song on repeat or listening to uplifting music.
There are many studies that show how music therapy helps people with mood disorders. People with depression can benefit from music therapy because through music therapy they can lessen the symptoms of depression. In the studies and cases that will be mentioned we can see that music therapy is effective through methods like group therapy. It is shown that people with depression that go through music therapy are affected in a positive way.
According to the American Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.), music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” As a generally new and upcoming industry, music therapy is often underestimated. By incorporating different areas of the brain, music can reduce stress, ease
Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.
Usually, when one considers what they can do to fight off a cold, relieve pain, or alleviate mental illness, the first things that comes to mind may be to take over-the-counter drugs or prescribed medications. However, the cure to these and many other infirmities may be found within your own ipod. Music, in its many forms, can and should be used as a healing instrument. While it may not completely alleviate the need for drugs, it's possible that music therapy could accompany medical drug use in order to lessen the amount of potentially harmful medications often consumed by patients.