THE BROAD CATEGORIES OF MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapy is one of the most proficient forms of therapy that helps to improve the mental health and wellness of an individual.

Music therapy employs the use of musical involvement to enhance the quality of life of clients. There are many facets to music and it would interest you to know that, they are used by therapists.

Therapists find these facets of music useful in helping their clients to have a better health with the use of receptive and active music experiences.

These experiences could be discussing music, composition, creation and a host of others.

In some hospitals, you will be surprised to find out that music therapy is used. In addition to this, places like substance recovery programs and correctional centers have a use for music therapy.

Music therapy comes in handy for everyone, and there are several benefits inherent.

Fundamentally, music therapy has two categories: Active and Receptive therapy. For active therapy, the patients take part in the process of music making. So, they would either play instruments or they will write songs.

If the patients do not know how to do any of these, then they would be taught one of them. They do not necessarily need to be experts at playing, all they need do is to know the basics.

For receptive therapy, the modus operandi is quite different. What happens during therapy is, they listen to live music or any recorded music.

This music is usually selected by the therapist based on the preference of the patient.

Receptive music therapy has the capacity to enhance mood, reduce stress and pain. Also, it induces relaxation and steps down anxiety.

However, receptive music therapy does not affect disease, it assists with imbibing coping skills.

In the world today, music therapy is an aspect of therapy whose full potential has not been harnessed. It is important for therapists all over the world to be aware of this proficient form of therapy.

This knowledge would be helpful in boosting the efficacy of their therapy sessions.

WHAT GOES ON IN A MUSIC THERAPY?

Fundamentally, Music therapy is a form of therapy that makes use of expressive arts therapy, using music to enhance and regulate the psychological, physical and social welfare of individuals.

There is a wide range of activities like listening to songs, singing and playing any musical instrument.

Music therapy is not just handled by anybody. It is supervised and managed by a trained therapist, and is usually used in rehab homes, schools, homes and a host of other places.

For centuries, music has been used as a therapeutic device, and it has been proved to positively affect various parts of the brain like the sections needed for movement, sensation, emotion and cognition.

Music therapy has the capacity to provide benefits for several individuals. Music is very diverse and due to this, it can be used in the treatment of both psychological and physical problems.

In some cases, therapeutic use of music has been able to assist people in ways where other forms of music has failed.

In a music therapy session, the intervention methods that occur are broadly categorized into two: Receptive and active.

The receptive technique comprises listening to and giving a continual response to music. This can be done by dancing or analyzing the lyrics.

For the active technique, the individual is either singing, playing musical instruments, making songs and a host of other activities centered on making music.

When both of these techniques are combined, you can expect a good result. Music therapy can either be done in groups or individuals.

The music is either chosen by the person in therapy, or the therapist.

However, the genre of music would be determined by the therapist, then it would be up to the individual to determine the exact song under the selected genre.

Therapists use the ISO principle when they want to introduce music. This principle states that music would have a greater influence when it tallies with the present condition of the individual.  

ADDICTION AMONG MUSICIANS

Musicians are a set of people who are likely to develop any form of addiction. Usually, they are addicted to either drugs or alcohol.

Every musician wants to be successful, so they would give all it takes to make sure they are at the peak of fame.

There are various styles of music, and due to changes in culture, music has evolved over the years. Music is a model of art and a chance for communication.

Often times, people wonder why successful musicians are addicted. The reason for this is because, before those musicians got famous, the addiction was in motion already.

Therefore, after they have attained a certain level of success and progress, the best they can do is to manage their addiction, so that it does not affect their overall state of health.

Usually, one of the reasons why musicians are addicted is the environment. Taking a look at alcohol and drug for instance, if they are readily available, the musician would be more inclined to take them.

Normally, it is normal for someone to abuse substances that are around him or her.

Then, if the musician wants to perform at a location, he or she would most likely take those substances prior to when they perform.

If these substances are not readily available, they would underperform or they can turn down a performance.

However, this might not actually happen because these musicians have the financial capacity to cater for their addiction.

Everyone wants to be famous and wealthy, and musicians are not left out. So, one of the ways they can help themselves, is to ensure they perform optimally.

It should however be known that not all musicians are addicted.

There are some of them that have the natural confidence, so they find it quite herculean to be daunted by the intimidating crowd or unnecessary pressure from fans.

Conclusively, musicians need all the help they can get especially when it comes to catering for their mental health and addiction.

Musicians who are addicted are advised to seek treatment before it causes a dent in their career.  

MUSIC THERAPY IN OTTAWA

Over the years, music therapy has proved to be highly quintessential when it comes to some forms of treatment.

Music therapy is the employment of musical interpositions to step-up the quality of life of a client.

Definitely, music therapists use music and its several aspects such as social, mental, physical and emotional, to provide help to their clients.

Therefore, with the use of both active and receptive music encounters, various aspects of client’s health such as emotional, communicative, social and the likes increases.

In Ottawa, a good number of usual music therapy sessions are developmental work. During this, individuals are expected to write songs, muse and a host of others.

In some hospitals, music therapy is used. Also, the same applies to some cancer centers, drug and alcohol recovery programs and a host of correctional conveniences.

Evidence has shown that, music therapy is needed for all individuals, and this applies to both their mental and physical health.

Music therapy helps to improve the rate of the heart. Also, it aids I reducing anxiety and depression as mentioned above.

The brain is also properly stimulated when music therapy is in motion, and this makes learning to set in better.

Music therapists have some techniques that they use in helping their clients in several areas. This ranges from stress relief prior to and sequel to some forms of surgery.

Taking a deeper look into the broad types of music therapy, there are receptive and active music therapy.

For active music therapy, the patients are made to take part in various types of music-making. This could either be playing instruments or singing.

While for receptive music therapy, it comprises listening to a previously recorded music or a live music that the therapist recommends.

For receptive music therapy, your mood is expected to change, stress decreases, and you find it easier to relax than before.

Below are various music therapy centers in Ottawa:

  • Orleans Psychological Services (OPS) center
  • Ontario Music Therapy Academy
  • Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT)

THE HEALING FORCE OF MUSIC IN RECOVERY

Music as a healing force is not something new. It is a concept that has existed in times past. There have been previous studies that suggested that there is a profound connection between music and healing.

There are however a good number of theories that proves the working modalities of music therapy.

For some studies, they believe that the brain makes new linkages between nerve cells, and aids in organizing the operation of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls higher functions.

Music has a high proficient healing power that is documented. It has been proved to reduce the feelings of depression and anxiety.

It has also been proved to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and a host of other psychological problems.

Music therapy helps to enhance motor function, focus ability, emotional stability and a host of others. It is known to be one of the trusted therapeutic approach to mental health treatment.

In addition to this, music therapy has been proved to effectively manage pain. It is a great alternative to reducing pain even when the cases are chronic.

Music therapy has also been proved to assist patients with a broad range of psychosocial requirements. This proof was substantiated by the American Music Therapy Association.

During times when patients are not responding to treatments, it has empowered them to build relationships, transmit emotions and showcase ideas that they might not be able to express with words.

Music provides a stimulation that commands responses that come from feelings, comfort and familiarity that are connected with music itself.

Music therapy is very important in tackling several disorders. It is a safe practice which is based on past evidences that attest to its efficacy.

It even becomes more effective when it is incorporated with other forms of healing like art therapy, yoga and the likes.

Even when it comes to the addiction process, music has proved to be a powerful tool in helping individuals get back on their feet.