What is music therapy, and how does it work?
Music therapy is the use of music to improve individuals’ and groups’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music therapy can involve listening to music, playing instruments, singing, composing, improvising, or moving to music. Still, unlike music educators or musicians, music therapists are clinically trained to use music to address non-musical, therapeutic goals. Music therapists are Board-certified, trained professionals who use music to manage their client’s specific needs and goals, such as reducing pain, anxiety, depression, and stress, enhancing communication, memory, or cognition, or promoting social and emotional skills, self-expression, or creativity.
Music therapy works by stimulating different areas of the brain that are involved in processing emotions, memories, language, and motor functions. Music can also affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and other vital functions. Music can also create a sense of connection, belonging, or identity, especially when shared with others or linked to personal or cultural meanings.