Music Therapy
Music Therapy as an Intervention
Music as a form of psychotherapy entails use of different types of music to relieve and heal emotional and psychological problems. The American Music Therapy Association (1999) defines music therapy as the clinical and evidence-based use of music by a trained therapist as a form of therapy. Music therapy is administered by trained professionals known as music therapists. They use music and all its aspects in order to attain the already set individualized therapeutic goals.
Music therapy is administered to different categories of people including the elderly, children, adolescents and adults. It has been successfully used to people with age related disorders like Alzheimers disease, to children with developmental and learning disabilities and to those with brain injuries as well as people suffering from substance abuse problems. In some instances, it has been used to relieve pain from people during various medical processes like dental surgery and mothers in labor (American Music Association 1999). Moreover, it is used as a post operation intervention to both children and adults to help them overcome traumatic experiences.
This therapy has been used in different settings depending on the goal. For instance, it has been used schools to enhance learning by children with disabilities. In nursing homes, music therapy has been used to enhance and maintain physical, mental and emotional functioning because of its sensory and intellectual stimulation. In psychiatric facilities, the therapy it enhances mental and emotional positive changes. In addition, it helps patients in these facilities to resolve various problems that may be harboring their relationships with family members and other people in the society (American Music Association, 1999).
Music has a healing power as shown through the various studies carried out indicating its ability to lower and maintain blood pressure among chronically ill patients. Besides its capability to enhance respiration and improve cardiac performance, it has been used to effectively help patients with sleeping disorders without the use of drugs. Playing music instruments like guitar or violin enhances proper functioning of the brain. All these functions improve the well-being of an individual.
For a long time, music therapy has been used to effectively treat or improve patients suffering from autism. It has shown wonderful effects in facilitating communication since it helps alleviate strain and stress. The use of music in treating autism has promoted creative expression and emotional satisfaction. When music therapy is administered to such patients, they develop relationships and minimize repetitive speech. In nutshell, music therapys significant achievement in autistic patients is perceptual and psychosocial.
The History of Music Therapy
Music therapy has its roots in the 20th century after the 1st and 2nd World War (American music Association, 1999). Studies show it is during this time when musicians started visiting the war veterans around the country playing for those who had suffered emotional traumas. There after, doctors and nurses began noticing emotional and physical responses and thus musicians were hired to play music at the hospitals. Soon, it was realized that musicians needed some form of training and this led to the introduction of a college music curriculum. The study by the American Music Association reports that, the Michigan State University was the first to offer a music degree program in the year 1944. From then henceforth, major advancements have taken place in the industry and in the year 1998, the American Music Association was founded (1999).
Concepts of Music Therapy
There are various concepts used in music therapy, which include psychoanalytic and psychodynamic music therapies. Psychodynamic music therapy makes use of psychodynamic ideas. In this type of therapy, there are about thirty minutes weekly sessions that are usually consistent while the setting and the instruments remain the same. Here, the therapist is committed to spend time with patients in order to understand their conscious and unconscious minds. In such a setting, the patients are made to believe that the therapist is capable of dealing with their mental and emotional responses (Sutton, 2002). To achieve this goal, the psychotherapist must be in a position to adequately supervise the sessions. It is important to develop a therapeutic relationship depending on the patients needs. However, it can be difficult to initiate a relationship especially when the patient is traumatized, where in such cases, the therapist is supposed to attend to such problems first.
In psychoanalytic music therapy, the main role is to survey the patients inner life and influence growth by use of music power. Psychotherapists are expected to keep distance and remain neutral while at the same time being attentive to the patients affairs. This means that the therapist is required to react to the patients music to create a shared expression. Moreover, psychotherapist should come in handy when need arises particularly when patients are playing musical instruments (Salmon, 2008).
The Process of Music Psychotherapy
According to Dumont, Wedding Corsini (2007), psychotherapy takes place in four stages. This process begins with confession where patients disclose their secrets to the therapist. During confession, a non-judgmental therapist should help patients release any emotions that may have been harbored for long. Therapists and patients are expected to develop a certain bond that helps them to work effectively if patients remain transparent.
During elucidation, which is the second stage, patients are made to understand the origin of their problem(s). Elucidation and confession phases deal with unconscious persons but the third stage, which is education, deals with conscious persons. During the education stage, the therapists encourage the patients to take action in order to facilitate their well-being. It is at this level where patients must take roles that lead to change lives. Finally, there is the transformation phase, which is the period of self-actualization as Dumont, Wedding Corsini (2007) put it. Both the conscious and the unconscious experiences are greatly valued at this stage. The doctor and the patient must change so as to cope with each other.
Music Therapy and its Success Mechanisms
Music therapy is effective because under normal circumstances, it works to all types of individuals. Studies reveal that even the unborn children respond to Music when still in their mothers womb. The fact that there are different categories of music means that every individual can identify the category that is best suited for their need. Moreover, music therapy involves a wide range of activities namely, singing, dancing, playing of instruments and listening to music. Therefore, the therapy is always designed in relation to the patients need. Like any other kind of psychotherapy, the patient is given enough time to change but not forced to do so (Patey Darnley-Smith, 2003).
Music psychotherapists help patient identify problems that may be troubling. For instance, a person who suffers from fear may be helped to understand what really causes the fear. If it is as a result of past experiences, the therapist helps the person to break from the past. Consequently, such a person is gradually assisted to cope with the problematic situation. The fact that the client is actively involved in the process and its clear outlined goals makes it successful. Moreover, therapists are helpful due to their unfailing attention to the patients as well as their problems (Dumont, Wedding Corsini, 2007).
Strengths and Weaknesses of Music Therapy
Like all form of treatments and therapies, music therapy has it strengths and weaknesses. This type of psychotherapy therapy does not involve use of the toxic drugs and medicine and therefore it has minimal or not side effects at all. In cases where it is used to relieve pain, it makes patients relax and since it is self-centered, it helps them take control of the pain. It reduces the need for medications and at the same time preventing repeated hospitalizations. Music therapy can benefit all types of persons, as everyone is capable of responding to music. However, the studies in this area reveal that it has it own weaknesses. To be successful, it requires a high level of cooperation between therapists and patients. Therapists equally need to be sensitive enough to provide the necessary help. Moreover, if the patients are children, parents must be present together with other medical staff members and may complicate the process all together. In addition to this, it can also be expensive where music instruments are required.
Conclusion
Music therapy is as effective as any other form of psychotherapy. Mostly, it is used in pain alleviation, treatment of mental and emotional disorders. The various forms and types of music therapy are used according to individual needs. Therapy sessions are individualized but consistency is emphasized to improve on the outcome. Although there are some shortcomings of the same, it is more advantageous because of its ability to treat and heal wide range of disorders. In view of the fact that a lot of research is being carried out currently, there is a possibility that major improvements will enhance its effectiveness in future.
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