What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a mental health profession where music is used as a therapeutic tool. It addresses the client's self-expression, alleviates anxiety and depression, manages stress, enhances memory, and improves mood and relationships.
How is music therapy different from listening to or making music on your own?
A music therapist is a trained mental health professional using strategically designed music therapy techniques to help you reach your specific goals. I will support you in making meaning of the music-making or listening experiences. Music therapists are trained to analyse the music-making or listening process. Watching and listening you create can help make sense of your process and make necessary changes to take the following steps.
How is music therapy different from talk therapy?
Talk therapy is focused on words and how we express ourselves through words. Music therapy uses music and talking, using our senses and focusing on non-verbal material. The way we use our bodies, how we breathe, and how we express ourselves without words. This information gives us another layer to work with and to make sense of your life experience. Additionally, we may use art in the sessions, depending on your preferences.
Arula Counselling integrates creative, psychodynamic, mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) approaches with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed care.
How is music used in sessions?
Music therapy involves all kinds of music-making in sessions. We may use playing instruments freely, experimenting with different sounds. We may use listening to your favourite songs, analysing how they make you feel and what the song means to you. We may use songwriting based on changing the lyrics of the songs we listen to and being specific about it. What is important is the process of it rather than the end product. It is about expressing yourself through music, helping you connect with parts of yourself. The therapist will always support you and follow your needs throughout the creative process.
What if I'm not 'good' at music?
You don't need previous musical skills to be 'good' at therapy. Music is a non-verbal way of self-expression where we focus on the process rather than on the outcome. We are not looking for perfection but connection.
When people come to music therapy, having an open mind to using music helps my clients connect with new parts of themselves. A music therapist carefully chooses every musical activity to address the client's specific goals, depending on your needs, interests, desires and preferences to address personal growth.
If you have any further questions about how you could benefit from music therapy then get in touch with me here or on the link below.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace a therapeutic relationship with a trained professional. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 112 or your country's crisis line, where professional mental health workers can help you.