How Does Music Therapy Work?

How does music therapy work?

Music therapy works by treating patients who suffer from mental, physical or emotional conditions or diseases that keep them from functioning normally at their peak.

Music therapy and research works by targeting a specific set of problems that a patient has and works on improving the problem through means of sound and interactive communication.

There are many different practices that music therapy clients go through in order to treat the conditions that a person may have.

This process is much like when you go to get your hearing tested, although, what you hear in your headphones is more than just random beeps. The music therapist will give you music that is calming and relaxing music  like the sample below. 

Interactive Playing

The pieces could be long. They could be short, but they are usually ambient and spatial music that will allow you to breathe deep and calm down from stress or other conditions. Music of a classical or light contemporary fashion is perfect for music therapy situations. Rap music talking about violent things... Not so much.

Another practice includes the client playing an instrument (i.e. the piano) with the therapist, therefore unlocking hidden musical potential of the client and providing a rich escape from the reality that surrounds them.

Interactive Composition

Therapists and clients take active roles in composing and improvising music from "thin air" from the bottom up. Therapists can record the sessions where the songs are created and could give a copy to the patient. This process makes the patient feel better about himself and the way his life is going. Repeated sessions could nearly deplete his condition. All of this is a good thing.

Music Therapy Organizations

There are more organizations that can help answer the question, "How does music therapy work?" Or you could click the links below to find more information on music therapy.

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