Music therapy is utilized for mental health and substance use due to its benefits in a variety of goal areas. Music therapy as a treatment is often used when other methods are less successful, due to the nature of the interventions. When treating a mental health condition, music can provide many opportunities to learn positive coping skills, improve mood, and address symptom relief.
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Mental Health Conditions include:
Mental Health Conditions include:
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, O.C.D.
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorders
Mood Disorders
Bipolar Disorder, Depression
Personality Disorders
Borderline PD, Antisocial PD
Substance Use Disorder
Alcoholism, Drug Addiction
Where does it take place?
Where does it take place?
Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities
Outpatient Mental Health Clinics
Recovery Centers
Forensic or Correctional Facilities
Community Mental Health
Individuals receiving music therapy services will have a referral for music therapy services. Once connected to the facility or individual, the music therapist will conduct an assessment and devise a treatment plan with specific therapeutic goals and objectives. In a residential or inpatient setting, the music therapist will work on a treatment team with other providers to collaborate on treatment goals.
Here are some of the goal domains that are addressed in mental health:
Social
Communication
Cognitive
Behavioral
Emotional
Symptom-relief
Relapse Prevention
In order to address these goal areas , the music therapist develops a session plan for each meeting that include music interventions or activities that address each of these goals. When designing interventions, the music therapist will always use client preferred songs, music that the client will recognize or enjoy. Some common music interventions might include:
Drumming to relieve stress and express emotions.
Lyric Analysis to process emotions and meaningful discussion.
Instrument play to draw focus away from hallucinations and delusions.
Music therapy is beneficial for mental health and treatment for a variety of reasons. Aside from working toward and achieving therapeutic goals, music therapy can co-treat with other counselors and therapists to provide the best care to each patient. Music therapy also positively influences mental health by teaching a skill and is a creative outlet for emotions that improves self-esteem in the clients. Autonomy is promoted through music interventions in forensic and residential settings by tailoring to the client's preference and promoting decision making
To learn more about music therapy for mental health and substance use, here are some music therapy resources:
To learn more about music therapy for mental health and substance use, here are some music therapy resources:
Music Therapy for Adults with Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions by the American Music Therapy Association
Music Therapy and Addiction Treatment by the American Music Therapy Association Music therapy for people with substance use disorders Ghetti, C., Chen, X. J., Brenner, A. K., Hakvoort, L. G., Lien, L., Fachner, J., & Gold, C. (2022).
Music therapy for people with substance use disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5).
Learn more about the benefits of Music Therapy:
Learn more about the benefits of Music Therapy:
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