MUSIC THERAPY
“Our
bodies like rhythm and our brains like melody and harmony.”
-Daniel
Levitin
Music therapy is
the use of interference to accomplish individual goals within
a therapeutic relationship by a professional who has completed an approved music
therapy program. This therapy is
an associated health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of a
process in which a therapist uses music and all of its features—physical,
emotional, mental, social, artistic, and spiritual—to help patient’s improve
their health.
The development and use of musical therapy, as a means
to relieve those living in conditions of need, hardship or distress, suffering
from mental or physical disability and the effects of poverty or sickness.
Activities in a
therapy session for the typically developing child might include instrument
play and/or instruction (piano, guitar, drums, hand percussion, etc.),
educational concepts through music (colors, shapes, counting, etc.,
singing/voice instruction, movement to music, sung books/stories, and musical
education.)
When
used properly, music can be an incredibly powerful treatment tool. And not just
because it’s fun, relaxing, and motivating, but because music has a profound
impact on our brains and our bodies.
Benefits of Therapy
·
Development
in physical, sensory and cognitive skills
·
Positive
changes in mood and emotional states
·
Improved
concentration and attention span
·
Increases
in self-confidence, self-respect, personal insight and motivation
·
Development
of independence and decision-making skills
·
Enjoyment
and improvement in quality of life
·
Providing
a relaxed environment can enable better social interactions with others
·
Decreases
in tension, nervousness and stress.
Here are the top brain-based reasons why music works in
therapy:
·
Our bodies en train to rhythm.
·
We have physiologic responses to music.
·
Music taps into our emotions,core function in our brain,helps improve our attention skills,enhances learning.
