Music Therapy and Disorders
Music Therapy and Psychiatry
Music therapists work with people with mental heath disorders including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorders,
anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorder. Music therapy can provide this
population with an alternative means of communication and a chance to express themselves through improvisation,
song writing or lyric analysis.
Music Therapy and Social Skills
Psychiatric disorders can often impair social interaction and social skills. Music therapy can provide opportunities
for safe group and individual musical experiences, address how people interact with their environment and examine how
they affect their environment. Music can encourage social interaction among patients. The interaction may take the form
of talking about thoughts and feelings, contributing to group experience, cooperating with others or responding to others'
needs. Interpersonal interaction can take place through music listening techniques lead by the music therapist
(Thaut & Smeltekop, 1990).
Music Therapy and Emotions
Music therapy can provide a safe environment for a client to alleviate their feelings with a person who can
‘ process and reflect the patient’s expression in a modified form’ (Jensen, 1999, p. 47). Preference and familiar
music are important in this area. ‘If patients are to be reached, the music employed must be that which they understand,
at least to some extent’ (Gaston, 1968, p. 22). Gfeller (1990) argues that music can ‘reflect, influence and alter
emotional response’ (p. 59) and therefore is a valuable therapeutic device in music therapy processes including
‘identification, awareness, reflection or expression of feelings and relevant issues’ (p.59).
Music Therapy and Communication
People with mental health difficulties may find communication with others difficult. As music therapy can help
social and interpersonal interaction and emotional expression, so to can it help communication difficulties. Sears
(1968) reports that clients ‘may express in music or through musical preferences feelings not otherwise expressible.
Music may speak where words fail’ (p. 43). Music therapy techniques such as song writing, lyric analysis and
improvisation can be used to assist the client in development of their communication skills.
Music Therapy and Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can be part of many mental health disorders. Music therapy can act as a psychotherapeutic agent to
improve low self-esteem. Improvisation, group singing, movement techniques and dancing can provide a client with sensory
and social feedback, successful musical experiences that can promote self-worth and promote body awareness and identity
(Thaut & Smeltekop, 1990).
Music Therapy and Relaxation
Anxiety disorders are common and can be helped by relaxation techniques. Studies show that music can be used
to effectively reduce anxiety and promote muscle relaxation (Thaut & Smeltekop, 1990). Clients’ musical preference
is important to consider when using music for relaxation purposes. The idea of stimulating and sedative music increasing
and decreasing anxiety respectively does not apply to everyone. Music imagery can be used to help the client reduce
tension and focus on positive thoughts and feelings (Gfeller & Thaut, 1999). Imaging should not be used with people
who are delusional or have psychotic disorders.
Music Therapy and Cognition
Music is a time ordered, structured stimulus. People with psychotic disorders may have poor reality orientation
whereas people with mood or anxiety disorders may have insight into their disability. Music therapy can provide
treatment programs geared towards the clients’ level of cognition and awareness. Structured reality based music
experiences such as writing a song can help reality orientation, divert from neurotic concerns or obsessions and
help improve impulsive behavior control (Gfeller & Thaut, 1999).
Music Therapy and Pain Management
Vibrational medicine, which validates that everything in the universe is in a state of vibration and the
frequency at which an object or person most naturally vibrates is called resonance. The chakras, bones, and organs
in the body all possess a different resonant frequency. When an organ or part of the body is vibrating out of tune
or nonharmoniously, it is called "dis ease" or disease. A body is in a healthy state of being when each cell, each
organ creates a resonance that is in harmony with the whole being.
Vibrational medicine is based on the idea that all illness or disease is
characterized by blockage in the channels on some level, either in nadis, meridians, arteries,
veins, or nerves When there is a blockage, the organ in question stops vibrating at a healthy frequency
and thus it results in some kind of illness. So, through sound and light, one can break up, dissolve and
release these blockages that initiate in our light or etheric body. Ultra sound has been used medically for
almost two decades as a diagnostic tool by pediatricians while the baby is in the very early stages of fetal
development. More recently, ultrasound is being used to cleanse clogged arteries. Ultrasound works on the same
principle of light equals sound and tone equals radiance manifesting in form.