Meghan Stavig
Info470 AE
Music Therapy and its’ Affects on Adolescents with Behavioral Issues
Music is known to elicit responses, both physiological and emotional, in people with or without special needs. There is well-documented research to put into words the complex relation between music, emotion, and physiologic arousal. This knowledge is being used in adolescent music therapy to encourage the expression of feelings as well as the engagement of social interactions. In this review I’ll first describe emotional regulation and what it means to deviate from the norm, then describe a primary candidate for music therapy intervention. I will then further explain music therapy as a practice and its’ goals to increase attention and
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Music therapy is often sought out after psychopharmacologic treatments have been unsuccessful. These situations often include working with individuals who present negative emotions, poor social interactions, low motivation, and flattened or blunted personalities (Yinger, O. S., & Gooding, L. 2014). Classifying a child with special needs may vary from country to country, but children with these characteristics along with a professional diagnosis are at an increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions, which require health-care related services and/or specialized institutions (Constantin 2015).
Roughly 20% of music therapists identify with working in the mental health setting; the largest subset of a single specific client population (Yinger, O. S., & Gooding, L. 2014). Although they may use different approaches in treatment options, such as cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, humanistic, or psychodynamic, this area of study shares a set of common goals. These goals include socialization, communication, self-esteem, coping skills, and stress management/reduction (Yinger, O. S., & Gooding, L. 2014). Previous research suggests that group work is the prevalent delivery model for music therapy in mental health settings. It is effective in promoting group cohesion, interaction, and emotional expression, and has shown to be
In addition to ameliorating anxiety levels, music therapy has proven to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. Gutierrez and Camaren (2015) revealed that the application of music therapy significantly reduced anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorders (GAD). Through music therapy exercises this encouraged and promoted the expression of memories and emotions, thereby facilitating cognitive changes and modifying irrational thoughts and beliefs. Upon the researchers request participants indicated that music therapy helped them to develop empathy, security, self-esteem, and alternative tools to use in situations of anxiety, thus allowing them to assertively manage conflict and reduce levels of anxiety.
Due to the extensive procedures surrounding treatment, patients often experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects that negatively impact their quality of life and ability to cope with and manage an illness. Providing a choice of music during a receptive music therapy session may not only distract the patient from negative affective states, but also may provide a sense of autonomy and control over a patient 's immediate environment. The purpose of the essay was to determine whether receptive music therapy can improve two general dimensions of emotional experience and pain in a single session for patients. The guiding research question was: Will participants experience improved positive affect following a music therapy session? In my opinion ,I think the answer is yes. music therapy definitely have a positive effect on patients.
The reasons for existing are to invigorate the enthusiasm of the patients in music as a significant social action and to coordinate their energies into making music for delight, fulfillment, and development toward wellbeing. Music treatment permits persons with psychological wellness needs to: investigate individual sentiments, roll out constructive improvements in disposition and passionate states, have a feeling of control over life through effective encounters, hone critical thinking, and resolve clashes prompting more grounded family and companion connections. Socialization values lie in the delight of being as one, doing things of accomplishment and sentiments of self-esteem strengthen the sense of self, while the order of having a place with a gathering requires individual association and the acknowledgment and acknowledgment of reality objectives.
Music Therapists (MTs) borrow from a range of non-music based therapy models in their development of Music Therapy-specific treatment models. Many widely used Music Therapy (MT) techniques have their roots in psychological theories and treatment models. Cognitive Behavioural Music Therapy (CBMT) draws on the widely-used and extensively researched psychology approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address CBT goals through MT interventions. Despite the many parralels between CBT and MT there is limited literature on CBMT; the existing literature indicates that CBMT may be an effective treatment for clients with a variety of needs. Improvisation in CBMT makes up an even smaller portion of the literature, however the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach are congruent with the use of music improvisation.
“The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’” (Barnett & Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor cases of depression. There have been many studies done showing that MT is an effective form of therapy that can improve someone’s overall Quality Of Life (QOL). MT is known as an alternative technique therapy. It is often used instead of, or along with, medication to produce a result in the patience who need it. MT involves all aspects of the music process, including listening to, writing, singing, and analyzing music. Overall MT addresses physical and emotional problems and is used to enhance the life and health of the patient. This review is simply to inform readers of the effects music and MT has on mental health, specifically:
Music has always been known for its mental, emotional, physical and spiritual benefits in people’s day-to-day lives. As explicated by musictherapy.org, the idea of using music to heal people began with the writings of Aristotle and Plato. During the 20th century, music therapy became a formal profession after World War I and World War II to heal veterans emotionally and physically. However, during this time music therapists were not professionally trained but were just community musicians hired to play at veteran hospitals. After positive responses from veterans, the need for formally trained music therapists surfaced. As times change, it is imperative to figure out how to concentrate the use of music therapy and use it to its full advantage.
I knew about music therapy before my paper because I was actually going to major in it for college. It is interesting because I honestly knew so little on how and what music therapists really do in their sessions. One thing I learned and found extremely interesting was how music therapy can help children with autism identify emotions. Music therapy can help individuals identify the correct emotions and expressions of themselves and others around them. An example is if the music therapist plays a sad song, the child will internally feel a little sad inside, they can sing words or say expressions that relate to sadness, and then they can look in the mirror and see their own sad face while also looking at the music therapists sad face (Music Therapy Center of California, 2005, p. 4). I thought it was so interesting to know that music can help children understand emotions. Music therapy can help to lessen negative self-stimulation and it can increase participation and social skills among peers in more acceptable ways (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Another big thing I learned from my research is how much music therapy can help a child with autism’s language skills. Music therapy can help children who do not have verbal language express themselves and communicate. The music can also let them participate freely. The connection between the actual music and the interaction of play, such as listening, taking turns and responding helps them with their communication skills (American Music Therapy Association, 2012, p.1). Some personal experiences that I can account for is when I volunteered for a musical theater production called Razzle Dazzle. This was a music production with adults with disabilities. Their disabilities ranged from Down syndrome, to autism, to simply just an intellectual disability. One man by the name of UNKNOWN, was a dancer in our show.
The study was based off of the evaluations of students with Down Syndrome by their caregivers. It was done in a school environment so no home caregivers were included. The experience of the caregivers ranged from only a few years to many years, but averaged at about five and a half years (Pineaar 38). They were nineteen participants and they all had similar thoughts on how music therapy affected their students. They filled out at twenty-nine item questionnaire (Pineaar 38) and the results were put together. When placed in a classroom setting, the caregivers responses showed that children with Down Syndrome can become emotional during music making sessions. They are however, not usually very outgoing or patient during the sessions due to behavioral developmental delays (Pineaar 39) The overall agreement was that music therapy was a useful tool in the classroom and individual setting (Pineaar
Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.
However, researchers’ ability to prove music therapy’s effectiveness on a large-scale basis is ultimately hindered by the lack of uniform methodologies and standards across existing studies on the treatment and its effect on AD. There are, for instance, two kinds of music therapy approaches used in studies – active (e.g., playing an instrument or singing) and passive (e.g., listening to music). Some professionals like French music therapist Stéphane Guetin then further divide passive-type therapy into “relaxation” – seeking to “reduce the frequency and extent of affective and psychological/behavioural disorders” – and “analytical” – using music to “encourage the expression and development of thought – methods (37). Most current research focuses
There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's
A song or a piece of music has the power to transform an individual and take them not only to a different state of mind, but quite possibly a different consciousness. Making or singing music also has the power to transform an individual. “There is a resemblance of music in pitch, volume, rhythm, melody and structure to the natural human expression of emotion in voice, demeanor and behavior” (Ushedo, 2006, 1). Making music can create an environment where it indirectly teaches individuals communication and social skills through the emotions brought out by the music. The social interaction between individuals with behavioral problems has been aided by using musical activities. It can “encourage or motivate communication through musical activities, which are responsive to the child to promote eye contact, turn taking, sharing, joint attention” (Stephenson, 2006, 297). While creating a calmer and more relaxed environment with musical activities, behavioral problems can be aided through the use of this form of music therapy.
Music has always been an integral part of my life. For years, I have been performing, writing, and enjoying all genres of music, but since enrolling in Introduction to Music Therapy, I have come to understand that music can be used for so much more than enjoyment. Music can connect and heal people, and music therapy is the profession that seeks to harness the power of music to accomplish these things and more. According to Bruschia (2014),
According to the American Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.), music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.” As a generally new and upcoming industry, music therapy is often underestimated. By incorporating different areas of the brain, music can reduce stress, ease
A recent study of music therapy interventions was conducted on 1,891 participants. The study was offered by music therapists and medical staff.