What is Music Therapy? + FREE Mental Health Playlist! 🎶
In this blog, I am going to be answering the questions: What is Music Therapy? & Why is it helpful? Plus, I am going to be giving you all a FREE mental health music playlist! You can listen to it at any time!
I personally love music. I listen to music all the time. I play guitar, songwrite, and record music so this blog hits home for me.
I will be letting you know about music therapists AND how you can incorporate music therapy in your life on your own!
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical use of musical interventions to improve clients' quality of life.
Why is it helpful?
It provides emotional healing and helps people to develop positive self-image.
Those were the technical answers to the questions I am answering in this blog.
Professional Music Therapy Session
Now, I have never been to a professional music therapy session BUT I have researched a little bit about it. Here's what I have found:
In a music therapy session, you learn music skills by playing instruments, singing, songwriting, talking about lyrics, etc. The average session length is 45 minutes. Pricing varies, so check out a local music therapist for you to get an accurate price estimate. Find this information and even more music therapy info at https://www.levinemusic.org/about/news/51-general/579-music-therapy-faq !
Music Therapy ON YOUR OWN!
You can try out music therapy on your own, which is what I do! It won't be as professional, BUT you might have more freedom over how you want to run your music therapy session. Here is how I run my music therapy sessions in the comfort of my own home:
Take an hour a day (this might be a lot for many of you...try to get at least an hour a week).
Spend the first 15 minutes listening to your favorite music.
Spend the next 15 minutes playing an instrument (I use a guitar...if you do not know how to play an instrument, try searching on YouTube for some basic tutorials! That's where I started, and it works great! If you do not own an instrument, try practicing beats by clapping or snapping. This helps you get in the rhythm and express yourself!
Then spend 15 minutes writing down some words that explain your feelings and emotions.
Finally, spend the last 15 minutes matching your words/lyrics to your beat or instrument choice.
FREE Mental Health Music Playlist!
If you have made it this far, I want to remind you that I have a free playlist for you that you can listen to anytime!
Video!
Check out my YouTube video where I go in depth on music therapy and why it is helpful! Be sure to subscribe for videos like this and more!
Podcast Episode!
Also, check out my mini podcast episode where I go in depth on music therapy and why it is helpful!
BRAIN XP Social Media Community!
I hope this blog is helpful to you! To stay up to date on the Brain XP Community as well as myself, follow our social media networks!
