Could You Benefit From Music Therapy?
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Medically reviewed by Aleesha Grier, PsyD
Music therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic method that uses the power of music to address mental health, physical health, cognitive health, and social and emotional well-being.
A wealth of research shows that music therapy is an effective and low-risk way of addressing many conditions and concerns, including serious mental health disorders like schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and sleep challenges.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a type of therapeutic intervention where music is used to help people cope with numerous challenges, including medical conditions, mental health concerns, cognitive disabilities, and decreased quality of life. It can be used by individuals, in groups, or in community settings.
Music therapy is often part of rehabilitation programs and other medical and mental health programs. It can help you express your feelings, improve communication, and improve your emotional well-being.
Music therapy is conducted by mental health professionals who have completed a rigorous bachelor's or master's level education in music therapy. Music therapists hold a credential called Music Therapist, Board Certified (MT-BC). In order to certify, individuals need to:
Have at least a bachelor's degree
Complete a certain number of educational and practical hours in music therapy
Pass a national examination from the Certification Board for Music Therapists
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How Does Music Therapy Work?
The practice of music therapy is relatively open-ended. Music therapists usually start by assessing their individual clients or the population receiving treatment to determine which intervention might be most effective. Often, more than one intervention is used over the course of the treatments. The relationship between music therapist and client—as well as how the client responds—may determine the musical modalities used.
Music therapists engage in a variety of activities, including:
Listening to music with clients
Performing music for clients to listen to
Writing songs with clients
Allowing and encouraging clients to sing and play instruments
Teaching music education and evaluating pieces of music
Are There Different Types of Music Therapy?
Music therapy may involve a diverse set of activities and experiences. However, it can essentially be divided into two main categories: active music therapy interventions and receptive music therapy interventions.
Active Music Therapy Inventions
This involves clients actively participating in the music intervention. Active music interventions may include dancing or moving to music, singing or playing instruments, music improvisation, and songwriting. Music improvisation, which involves using instruments or your voice in a free manner to make sounds and music, is the most common type of active music intervention used in music therapy.
Receptive Music Therapy Interventions
With receptive interventions, clients aren’t actively engaging in music. They're listening and responding vocally or emotionally to music offered by the music therapist. Listening to the music may cause emotional reactions in the client which the music therapist will then respond to.
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What Is Music Therapy Used For?
Music therapy is used as a supplementary treatment for a wide range of medical and mental health conditions. It can be used as part of physical rehabilitation, help motivate people to continue with various medication treatments, and provide emotional care and support for anyone who is experiencing medical, physical, social, or psychological challenges.
Music therapy has been used to help treat conditions like:
It has also been used:
To support the mental health of people with cancer
As part of stroke rehabilitation
As a complementary treatment for Parkinson’s disease (a progressive neurological disorder that affects functioning, including motor function, cognition, and mood)
To help manage pain and anxiety during labor and childbirth
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Is Music Therapy Effective?
Music is integral to many people's lives. For example:
It can promote self-connection and social connection.
It's often used as a learning aid.
Many memories include music.
There is a myriad of research pointing to the effectiveness of music therapy. Music can promote relaxation, help with emotional regulation, and stimulate verbal communication.
Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of music is that it can invoke memories—even if the music played is unrelated to those memories. This might be because music memory seems somewhat independent of other memory functioning in the brain. For example, many people with Alzheimer's disease who experience memory loss retain a memory for music, even in more advanced stages of the disease.
One systematic review of 21 studies found that music therapy was effective in improving:
The functioning of people with serious mental health disorders like schizophrenia
Certain symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as altered gait (walking)
Symptoms of depression
Sleep quality
Music therapy research studies often use small participant sizes. However, many studies and meta-reviews show promising results. Depression, dementia, cancer, and Parkinson's disease are four of the most well-known uses of music therapy.
Depression
Multiple studies have found music therapy beneficial for clients living with depression. For example, one meta-analysis of nine studies found that music therapy can provide short-term relief of symptoms and can be a helpful supplement for people receiving depression treatment. It can also help reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning among people with depression.
Dementia
Music therapy is often used in older adult settings and shows particular promise with dementia. One meta-review of 82 studies found that music therapy overall improved verbal fluency and decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression among people with dementia.
Cancer
Living with cancer and going through cancer treatment can greatly affect mental and emotional health. One meta-analysis of 19 studies found that music therapy can improve various aspects of mental health for people who have cancer, including overall quality of life, depression, anxiety, and pain.
Parkinson's Disease
One systematic review of 58 studies found that music therapy can have many positive effects on people living with Parkinson's disease. Benefits include motor improvement, improved communication, and swallowing and breathing improvements. Music therapy also shows promise in boosting mental health and improving the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Who Can Benefit From Music Therapy?
Many different populations can benefit from music therapy. It has been used with children and adults of all ages. It can be used as a complementary therapy for people living with serious health conditions, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and chronic pain.
Music therapy is sometimes used to support people in labor and during childbirth. It is often used in rehabilitation centers as well as in palliative and hospice (end-of-life) care. Many hospitals have music therapists who will visit clients living with and recovering from various medical conditions. It's frequently used to support dementia and Alzheimer's patients.
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What to Expect During Music Therapy
What exactly does music therapy look like in practice? Here's what to expect if you see a music therapist.
Where Does It Take Place?
Music therapy can be delivered on an individual basis, in small groups, or in large group settings. There are many possible locations where music therapy may take place, including:
Schools
Mental health facilities
Medical facilities
Oncology centers
Community centers
Senior centers and senior living facilities
Physical rehabilitation centers
Drug and alcohol programs
Correctional facilities
What Happens In a Music Therapy Session?
What happens during a music therapy session varies widely, depending on the music therapist, the needs of the client or population, and the dynamics that arise during the session.
Here are some of the activities that you may engage in with your music therapist:
Music improvisation, where you are given instruments to play and explore
Listening and/or singing along with your music therapist
Composing songs and writing lyrics
Making various vocalizations or sounds with your body
Making sounds or music with “found” objects
Listening to live or recorded music
Watching musical performances
Using music for relaxation and meditative purposes
Listening to music alongside guided imagery
Discussion of the elements of songwriting or musical craft
Dancing and moving your body to music
Drawing or writing in response to music
Related: 11 Types of Meditation That Can Help Treat Depression
Is Music Therapy Safe?
Research has found virtually no risks or negative effects of music therapy. Risks related to music and instruments include the following:
Some people might find some music sounds triggering, especially if they are loud or intense. Emotions evoked while listening to music can also be overwhelming.
Music that is too loud might damage hearing.
Musical instruments used recklessly can be dangerous.
Music therapists are aware of these possibilities and take care to notice how their clients react to and use the equipment. They may alter activities as needed.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Sleep Sounds: Pink Noise, Brown Noise, and White Noise, Explained
Does Insurance Cover Music Therapy?
According to the American Music Therapy Association, about 20% of music therapists are reimbursed by third parties for their services. Coverage depends on your insurance. Music therapy also needs to be considered medically necessary or prescribed by a physician. Receiving music therapy at an institution or medical facility may be covered as part of your overall care plan.
Related: 8 Ways To Negotiate Your Medical Bills
How to Find a Music Therapist
According to the American Music Therapy Association, there are several ways to find a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC):
Use the American Music Therapy Association online directory
Contact the American Music Therapy Association by email (findMT@musictherapy.org)
Contact the American Music Therapy Association by phone (301-589-3300)
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A Quick Review
Music therapy is a therapeutic intervention that can help people manage various health and mental health conditions. Music therapy involves listening to music, playing music, songwriting, using music for meditation, and various other open-ended, guided activities. It’s performed by board-certified music therapists.
An abundance of research shows the possible benefits of music therapy and demonstrates its effectiveness as a supplemental treatment for many different conditions. For example, music can help invoke memories even in advanced stages of cognitive conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is listening to music considered music therapy?
On its own, listening to music isn’t considered music therapy. However, board-certified music therapists often use listening to music as part of their treatment plan.
Do I have to be musical to try music therapy?
No, you don’t need to have any type of background or musical ability to benefit from music therapy. It's more about using music as a means of self-exploration and self-expression.
What are the disadvantages of music therapy?
There are several possible disadvantages of music therapy. For example, some people may be overwhelmed by their emotional response to music, and some people may find the sounds too loud or unpleasant. Music therapists work with clients to ensure the experience remains comfortable.
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