Music therapy is quickly becoming more popular. It is an alternative to more traditional therapy sessions, where the participant verbalises their thoughts and feelings with a councillor actively listening and working through these emotions. Music therapists differ from this practice, they are trained in areas that actively use skills to assess, treat and evaluate individuals based on their ages and needs. Children have natural musicality which motivates them to listen and join in either by dancing, playing instruments, singing or watching others. The improvisational and creative aspects of music-making in music therapy often allow children to concentrate for longer than usual, which is often challenging for neurodivergent people.
But, is music therapy right for my loved one? Whether you’re a teacher, guardian or caregiver, it can definitely be a struggle finding an outlet for the person you care about to express themselves. With research sometimes turning into information overload, and differing opinions on certain outlets, it can be overwhelming. This blog aims to break down some of the benefits of musical therapy, which can really benefit anyone due the environment being non-verbal so participants can channel their emotions without having to implement the use of words. Because musical participation and response does not depend solely on the ability to speak, Music Therapy is a particularly effective clinical intervention for people who have difficulty communicating verbally. For people affected by disability, autism spectrum conditions, illness or injury, working with music therapists can be life changing.
Music therapy can help many individuals’ General benefits of music therapy, which can be felt by any age or ability include:
· Better social interactions with others (group settings among peers, between therapist and patient, sessions including parental/caregiver and dependant interactions)
· The social skills of sharing, turn taking, listening and waiting
· The development of cognitive and sensory skills
· Positive changes in mood, sessions can improve stress release
· Increased concentration
· To come alongside a person’s experience of grief and bereavement
· To support a person’s experience of anxiety and/or depression
· To develop greater self-awareness of emotions and mental wellbeing
· To create a space to promote relaxation and enjoyment
An interesting positive of music therapy is the ages it can benefit. For instance, in elderly people with dementia studies have shown that it has a positive effect on long-term symptoms of depression as a result of the disease. Other noted benefits include the improvement of cognitive function and the overall improvement in the patient’s quality of life. It can be hard watching someone close to you struggle; you often feel helpless and unable to improve the situation. Sometimes the loved one has almost given up; with this type of therapy the patient does not have to sustain a conversation and may even fall in love with a new passion too.
The physical element of holding an instrument allows the participant to explore and be curious about a new item, which can be a form of stimulation. They are able to ask questions about the instrument, “What does this button do? Why does it sound like that? What happens if I do X?”. These are all opportunities for the carer to expand and encourage more questions in an environment with no expectations- just an outlet to elicit the use of emotions. From curiosity extends creativity, this is particularly pleasant to see in those who are non-verbal and have difficulty with self-expression. If this is something you would love to see flourish with your dependant, this could be the option for you.
However, no matter what means of therapy that is being performed, ‘results’ can take time. It is important to acknowledge the commitment you are making to improve the participants wellbeing. Some common improvements from a few sessions including increased eye contact, listening skills being developed and increased vocalisation (which can be verbalising sentences or non-verbal sounds). Other areas that often improve are self-confidence, pride comes with achieving small goals from being able to play their first note or communicating with peers. You will notice the patient feeling more settled too with reduced anxiety. At Make a Melody, post referral there is a three-week assessment in which the patients’ needs are revealed and monitored, with weekly sessions after this. To ensure your loved one is getting the best possible support, there are continual clinical notes and detailed reports presented to you post-session so you can track progression alongside the therapist.
We hope this short introduction to the world of musical therapy has answered any concerns, and feel free to get in touch with us!
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