A powerful and innovative approach, music therapy can play an integral role in mental health care and addiction treatment. It’s a unique, holistic approach to addressing substance use disorders and their complexities. Music therapy considers the relationship between the mind, body, and emotions, utilizing the therapeutic potential of creative expression, sound, and rhythm to help people on their journey to recovery.
Through music therapy, individuals can express emotions, develop self-awareness, and build coping skills for recovery.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is regarded as a clinical, evidence-based practice using the inherently therapeutic qualities of music to address emotional, physical, cognitive, and social needs. In music therapy, board-certified music therapists use rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics to engage individuals in the therapeutic processes.
It’s considered a highly individualized approach to therapy, and it’s goal-centric. Many of the goals for music therapy individually relate to more productive emotional expression and communication, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
The Components of Music Therapy
Music therapy involves different elements, which include:
- Active music-making, such as playing instruments, composing music, and singing.
- Guided listening sessions allow individuals to explore and discuss their memories and emotions evoked by different pieces of music.
- Analysis and discussion of lyrics to help explore personal experiences, emotions, and themes relevant to the individual’s journey.
- Incorporating dance, physical movement, or rhythmic activities to improve body awareness, expression, and coordination.
- Collaborative and individual songwriting that helps to voice personal experiences, goals, and reflections.
The Process of Music Therapy
Music therapy is an individualized, dynamic journey that a board-certified therapist guides. It involves different techniques and stages tailored to the goals and needs of each individual. The process might include the following elements:
- The first step is an initial assessment so the therapist can learn more about the individual’s needs, challenges, strengths, and goals. The music therapist might use interviews, observation, and standardized assessments to understand the individual emotionally, cognitively, socially, and physically.
- Goal setting is done based on the assessment and is collaborative between the therapist and the individual. For example, the goals relate to stress reduction, better communication, developing coping mechanisms, or improved emotional expression.
- The music therapist can create a treatment plan outlining specific interventions and activities to address established goals. The plan can evolve and be adjusted as the therapist’s relationship with the individual evolves and is based on the individual’s progress.
- In active music-making, the individual engages in experiences involving creative, hands-on musical activities. The hands-on approach encourages emotional exploration and self-expression.
- Following musical experiences, the therapist and individual can reflect and process by discussing thoughts, emotions, and insights that came up during the musical interactions. Those insights can then be linked to therapeutic goals.
- Music therapy integrates verbal and non-verbal communication to convey experiences and emotions.
- The therapeutic relationship between an individual and a music therapist is central to the success of the process. Over time, trust and rapport are established, creating a supportive space to explore and express emotions.
- Music therapy uses different modalities, including songwriting, lyric analysis, guided listening, and more, based on the preferences and goals of the individual.
- One of the broad goals of music therapy is to help people apply the skills and insights learned in treatment to their daily lives and real-world situations.
- There are periodic assessments that are used to determine progress toward goals.
Once someone has met their therapeutic goals, they may transition to less frequent music therapy sessions, or therapy may end with referrals to other resources being recommended to support continued well-being.
The Qualifications of a Music Therapist
While music therapy is considered a complementary approach to treating addiction and mental health conditions, a music therapist is qualified and has completed specific training and education requirements.
A therapist is certified in the field of music therapy. It requires clinical training and a certification exam, the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam. Board-Certified Music Therapists must engage in ongoing continuing education and professional development to maintain their certification.
The Role of Music Therapy in Treating Addiction
There’s a significant, multifaceted role for music therapy within a broader addiction treatment plan. It’s a complementary approach to traditional therapy methods, and it’s valuable to address the complexities of addiction.
Music therapy is a safe, nonverbal space to explore and express emotions that someone might struggle with in traditional talk therapy. This helps with emotional regulation and balance by allowing the individual to access and process various emotions.
It’s a way to reduce stress and relax, and learning to manage stress is one of the essential coping mechanisms that’s taught during addiction treatment. Learning to manage stress in healthy ways without the use of substances is vital for long-term recovery.
By practicing specific skills through the context of music therapy, like problem-solving and emotional regulation, individuals can bring them into real-world situations as they’re dealing with challenges without relying on substances.
Other benefits of music therapy in addiction treatment can include:
- Self-exploration helps define a sense of purpose and identity beyond substance use and addiction.
- There’s an opportunity to build social connections, practice interpersonal skills, and make unique connections with people with shared experiences.
- Music is repetitive and rhythmic, which can help mimic the structure of rituals needed for a sense of stability in daily life. This can help individuals as they learn how to create routines and find comfort in predictability rather than the chaos of addiction.
- By setting and meeting goals, individuals develop a sense of achievement that can improve their commitment to recovery.
- It’s common for people with substance use disorders and mental health disorders to struggle with communicating their thoughts and emotions verbally. Music therapy is an alternative way to express themselves.
At San Diego Detox, we believe a comprehensive, integrative approach is ideal for addiction treatment. As such, we offer complementary programs that are individually tailored, including music therapy. Music therapy is used with other treatment tools to help you restore your mental health and experience true healing. Reach out to San Diego Detox’s compassionate team to learn more or take the next step toward treatment.
