For centuries humans have been using forms of music as therapy... without realizing it! The practice of Music Therapy dates as far back as we know music existed.. and possibly farther. Music has been used as a healer, a relaxer, a meditator... Music is used by almost every profession, in different ways, to achieve various goals.
We know that grocery stores play music with the intention of keeping the shoppers "happy"... because a "happy" shopper is one that stays in the store longer and a shopper that stays is a shopper that buys!
We also know that some business firms and department stores adjust the music that is broadcast throughout the workplace to play more upbeat music just after lunch to help keep their employees awake and alert.
Do you:
Listen to music while doing something you don't like to keep motivated? (cleaning, studying, doing dishes, working)
Listen to music while getting ready to go out in the evening to enhance your mood?
Listen to music while trying to fall asleep to help relax?
Listen to music at a party to keep things lively and the guests alert and entertained?
Listen to music driving in the car to pass the time or to keep awake and alert?
Sing in the shower because it makes you feel good about yourself? (whether you can actually hold a tune or not!)
Think about these instances of music in our lives. There are purposes for all of them. The profession of Music Therapy just takes those instances a step further and utilizes every musical moment as a learning and therapeutic opportunity.
So... "Music Therapy is the use of music to achieve non-musical goals." That seems easy enough. But this is actually where all the confusion begins.
When people see the MUSIC in Music Therapy, their minds get stuck on autopilot and immediately focus on that word alone. "So you help people sing better" or "You do therapy for rock musicians" Or, they focus on one aspect, "You teach people how to relax." Or, they completely miss the word "therapy" altogether and say something like, "Where do you teach?" And while these statements are not completely inaccurate it is always evident that the speaker has no clear knowledge of Music Therapy.
The name of the profession should be "The Therapeutic use of Music" or "Therapy using Music" and it's professionals would be called something dreadful like "A Therapeutic Music Professional" or a "Therapist that uses Music as a tool". These names would at least put the important word first: THERAPY.
Music Therapy is the controlled use of music to achieve goals that are not musically related. There are specific goals, and specific means by which these goals are to be met. In order to fully comprehend the magnitude of the profession and the impact that music has on the individual, one must be a trained professional in the field of Music Therapy.
Music Therapy Techniques for the treatment of Mental Disorders
Music Therapy treatment in the field of Psychiatry/Psychology is growing. The use of these techniques in this field has always been popular but even more so in recently due to continuing research in the field of psychiatric medicine.
In the never-ending search for cures and treatments that do not involve heavy doses of medication, Music Therapy shines a light. Music Therapy has often been looked upon as a "Holistic" medicine, making use of a person's inner being, or mental capacities in order to find causes and cures for many ailments. Some therapists cringe at this word. But the reputation of "Holistic" medicine has changed over the years and the world of Medicine now sees that Music Therapy can be used as a "supplement" to traditional remedies as well as, at times, a replacement for pain medication and the like.
In the field of Mental Disorders, Music Therapy is used delicately but decisively. Music and Relaxation, Music Performance, Music and Movement, Music Psychotherapy, Music as Recreation... all of these areas are encompassed by Music Therapists working with psychiatric patients to help achieve the desired results.
The following chart outlines some disorders, the basic goals associated with these disorders and some Music Therapy Treatments that are best suited in achieving these goals.
Music Listening/Appreciation, Singing, Relaxation (NOT GIM), Movement to Music , Lyric Analysis (structured), Rhythmic Percussion, Song Writing (lyric replacement)
Bipolar Disorder, Manic Episode
Major Depression
Increase self esteem, self expression, leisure skills, communication skills, social skills
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