The Fascinating Integration of Music and Therapy
Have you and your friends or family ever sat together listening to music, or perhaps just talking about music? If you have then you already have the basics of Group Music Therapy down. Throughout history, music has been used globally as a tool for relaxation and stress relief. This phenomenon has ultimately led to the development of Music Therapy and by extension, Group Music Therapy.
Music Therapy is a psychosocial treatment under the umbrella of creative art therapies, it allows therapists to do something creative and fun alongside their client instead of traditional therapy techniques. Group Music Therapy is–well exactly what it sounds like–music therapy in a small group setting. The reason that this form of therapy has become popularized is due to its ability to form a community and improve social skills. Music is a form of expression that is helpful when you cannot find the right words to explain how you feel, which is what makes it so special. This unique quality of music makes it the perfect tool to help those who feel like traditional therapy just isn’t for them. Whether it be someone struggling with social skills or eye contact, factors that may be necessary in traditional therapy, music can be a form of communication and a way to build a community.
According to their respective national mental health websites, the UK and Norway have included Music Therapy (UK mental health & Norway mental health) in their national treatment guidelines for people with psychosis. This exhibits the growing recognition of Music Therapy globally, and the studies being done are predicting that it will continue to prosper. One recent longitudinal study (Longitudinal Study) done on Group Music Therapy focused on seeing a positive change in participants with either schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, who generally struggled with expressing emotions and social connections. Over the course of 9 months, the study proved that each of the group participants displayed an increase in social skills, participation in the group setting, and ability to express emotion. There was a huge difference for all participants, even those with the lowest demonstrations of social skills at the beginning of the group sessions, which is paramount.
Another way that Group Music Therapy is being used is for children who are struggling to develop socially, or who may be nonverbal. One program that provides Group Music Therapy for children is Anderson Music Therapy Services (Anderson Music Therapy). This program is extremely inclusive in terms of non-verbal children and neurodivergent children and provides them with the opportunity to use instruments as a form of expression. The Music Therapists at this organization work to improve children’s collaborative skills, listening skills, teamwork, and impulse control by ensuring that each member of the group gets their turn to either sing or play an instrument for the rest of the group. For children who struggle with communication and eye contact, it can be very beneficial to use instruments as a way of socializing with their peers and provide an alternative way to make those social connections that they may be missing out on.
Music has always been a way to bring people together, but incorporating music into the mental health field gives that notion a whole new meaning. Whether it’s listening to music in a group, talking about music, songwriting, playing an instrument, or singing, this form of therapy creates an opportunity for a unique approach to self-expression and building social skills. If you have even felt like traditional therapy is not for you, it could be time to look into Music Therapy, it might be the right form of therapy for you!
Guest Blogger: Kayla Maroney, Education & Support Intern
Kayla Maroney (she/her) is an Education & Support Intern at MHA. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware, majoring in Human Services with a minor in Psychology. Her career goal is to become a mental health therapist. In her free time, Kayla enjoys writing poetry, listening to music, and doing yoga.