More about Music Therapy

 

 

You don't have to have a musical background or ability to benefit from Music Therapy.  Music Therapy has helped individuals of all ages and abilities.  For example, the therapy is practised in geriatric, dementia and palliative care, with people with Autism and other developmental disabilities, and with those suffering from mental health issues and emotional traumas.

 

The Canadian Association for Music Therapy defines Music Therapy as the skilful use of music and musical elements by a trained music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development.

 

In layman's terms that means using the expressive and creative aspects of music to promote communication with people who have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings.  To see how music therapy works in real cases check out the case studies.

How Music Therapy Works
Clinical work begins when the trained music therapist conducts an assessment of the client, looking at physical, emotional, cognitive, communication, social and musical factors.  Using the assessment, the music therapist then designs an individualized treatment plan with specific goals and objectives. 

During a Music Therapy session, the therapist and client use a wide range of activities from singing, playing instruments, moving to music, improvising, and composing.  The session may also include imagery exercises or simply listening.