Music Therapy: A Preview

One of the many forms of art therapy is music therapy. It is exactly what is sounds: music utilized as means to achieve a therapeutic goal, and it relies on the same premises as art therapy in general. It is a form of treatment that has become popular lately, because of its great possibilities.
Many benefits can be gained through music therapy. The person can become in touch with unconscious thoughts and emotions, while feeling a decrease in their agitation, and long term, an increase of positive emotions (such as joy) and can improve the view towards the self (by increasing self- esteem for example). One could list countless of things earned through MT, especially depending on the population.
Truth is that MT can be applicable to a variety of populations, because it is easy to conduct, does not require for specific materials (like other forms of art therapy) and because most people enjoy some kind of music and are familiarized with it (unlike with other forms of art). It is effective for individuals with dementia and other neuropsychological disorders because it provides relaxation, and enhances the sense of self. It is also a great choice for clinical disorders of all ranges, especially for those who suffer in the long term (and are hospitalized) because it allows the possibility to hope and engage with their emotions. Further, it is suitable for individuals with health troubles (such as cancer) because it allows inner meditation and calmness. Finally, MT can reveal most of its benefits in the healthy population- ranging from young teenagers, to the elderly. In the absense of a health (medical or mental) problem, the therapist can use MT to elaborate on the life troubles of the client and assist him/ her in gaining deeper self- knowledge. 
Music therapy can have a variety of different forms and activities, ranging from simple ones, to more elaborate combined with other forms of art therapy. Easy activities may include: 

• to ask the patients/ clients to listen to a classical composition for some time (approximately 20 minutes) and write down any thought and emotion that comes in their mind; music triggers free associations.
• to ask the patients/ clients to chose a song to listen that best represents their current inner state and elaborate on that; music stimulates emotions.

Some more elaborate activities may include:

• to ask the patients/ clients to listen to music and freely move their bodies to it (either seated or standing, depending on the functionality of the individuals); music can allow for free expression
• to teach the patients/ clients to play a musical instrument, or sing as a choir (while keeping it simple of course); fine motor skills can be addressed through music.

To conclude, music therapy is a form of treatment that can have many benefits, is applicable to a variety of populations, is easy to conduct and interesting since it can contain plenty of different activities.


Literature: Tsergas, N., 2014. Therapeutic Approaches Through Art, Athens, Topos; Cevasco, A. M., Grant, R. E., 2003. Comparison of different mehods for eliciting exercise- to- music for clients with Alzheimer's disease, Journal o Music Therapy, 1; De Castro, M., Galati, A., Mercadal- Brotons, M., Sole, C., 2014. Effects of group music therapy on quality of life, affect, and participation in people with varying levels of dementis, Journal of Music Therapy, 51.