What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the evidence-based practice of using music to achieve non-musical goals, facilitated by a board certified music therapist, or MT-BC, who has completed rigorous training. Therapy goals have a wide range, and music therapists can serve anybody who has a need! We work in group or individual settings to address cognitive, psychological, social, emotional, behavioral, physical (rehabilitative/developmental) as well as palliative (pain management) goals. Yes, specific patient-preferred music has been proven to reduce pain!
Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Patients
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million people in America, and with no cure, it is a heavy burden on caregivers. The symptoms of confusion, memory loss, mood disturbances, outbursts, and wandering are not well-controlled with medication. Music therapy has been explored as a non-pharmacological treatment option, and found to be effective in many studies.
Our earliest memories are retained for the longest, and can be triggered by particular music. Not only does this process bring comfort by reminding an individual about their identity, but the accessing of early memories actually primes the brain to remember other information. Often a patient will sing to a familiar song, and then have improved speech and cognitive skills afterwards - when you witness this, it can seem almost “magical,” but it is based in science!
“Significant improvement was observed in memory, orientation, depression and anxiety in both mild and moderate cases; (...) and in delirium, hallucinations, agitation, irritability, and language disorders in the group with moderate Alzheimer disease. The effect on cognitive measures was appreciable after only 4 music therapy sessions”
(Gómez Gallego M, Gómez García J. Music therapy and Alzheimer's disease: Cognitive, psychological, and behavioural effects. Neurologia. 2017 Jun)
Reduction of these symptoms, especially agitation and aggression, could significantly reduce caregiver stress, as well as potential costs in long term care facilities.
Music Therapy for Special Education, Autism Spectrum Disorder, & ADHD
Music therapists use music-based interventions to motivate learning based on each child's IEP (individualized education plan). We aim to recognize unique communication styles and create effective session plans that get kids excited to learn. We can also address socio-emotional goals in group settings, where kids have so much fun that they don't even know they are learning. These groups can be especially effective for kids working on impulse control and sustaining attention. Kids are grouped by age, not ability - all ability levels are welcome to attend. We plan to offer regular children's social groups soon, so please stay tuned for more info.
Music Therapy for Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, & Stroke
Because music can have a profound impact on dopamine production in the brain, it can be used to support rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The production of dopamine can also “light up” functional neurological circuits and cause them to become strengthened via neuroplasticity (“neurons that fire together wire together”). This makes music therapy an ideal treatment for traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Music therapists utilize different qualities of music such as rhythm & melodic contour to motivate desired outcomes of movement, speech/word retrieval, and procedural memory. Neurologic Music Therapists™ are trained to use specially designed interventions to rehabilitate brain function.
Music Therapy for Pain Management & General Wellness
Music therapists often work in medical and hospice settings to help with pain management and quality of life. Music therapy can promote relaxation by affecting breathing and heart rates, and address pain by engaging sensory pathways which compete with pain circuits. Music therapy sessions are a holistic, person-centered alternative/compliment to pain medications, and can benefit people of all ages.
There are many more conditions that can be helped by music therapy - too many to list! These are ones that we focus on, but please feel free to ask us if you or a loved one is interested in music therapy for any other reason. We do not offer licensed mental health counseling.
