Misconceptions

What is Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy? What does it do and how does it work? Not many people know or have even heard of Music Therapy. When asked, one person might say it's a way to relieve stress by listening to smooth music. Others might say it calms the mind. As this does work toward the goal of what therapy has been described as, it is not music therapy.

These few examples of what people say are generally the misconception of Music Therapy. Some misconceptions are that the patient has to have general knowledge of music or a background involving music or that only one type of music is possible to use in music therapy. You do not have to have any experience with music and any type of music is usable in music therapy. The many different types of music can be used to help one emotionally, mentally, or physically.

Music Therapy is a process undergone by patients who need help therapeutically and seek it through the use of music. After examining the patient and finding out what needs to be done, the doctor can either sing along, move to, or even play the music that accommodates with the clients needs. This strengthens the patients, takes that strength and moves it to other areas that might need it. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.

All needed information came from the American Music Therapy Association at musictherapy.org.

This video is of people at USUMTSA doing a survey on people asking them what they think music therapy is. It's a great example to show the common misconceptions of Music Therapy.

http://youtu.be/2pAF3qxQUjU