Benefits of Music Therapy at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Music therapy has the potential to significantly improve medical conditions and mental health issues, according to the American Music Therapy Association. It can also be used for treating emotional and behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
At music therapy sessions, clients listen to or create music and discuss its impact on them. Therapists use music’s power to transform negative emotions into positive ones and help people reclaim what’s been lost, according to Shultis. This can result in long-lasting, sometimes permanent adjustments to mood and behavior.
Music therapy can also be a beneficial way for clients to decompress. They may take part in activities like singing, humming, playing instruments and creating improvised music – with the trust that is built between therapist and patient being key, according to Mulcahy.
Through these activities, patients can gain an enhanced capacity for expression and develop skills that promote resilience and recovery. They may even discover new methods of dealing with pain, isolation or anxiety during the process.
They may feel better about themselves and their situation, leading to an improved sense of well-being. Furthermore, this gives them a renewed purpose and meaning in life.
Research has demonstrated that music can enhance cognitive and sensory processing, reduce anxiety, promote creativity and enhance quality of life. Furthermore, it increases self-esteem as well as develop social skills (Gross, 2008).
Another key advantage of music therapy is its accessibility; people of all ages can participate. It may be especially beneficial for children with developmental or physical disabilities, as it helps them hone motor skills and coordination.
Studies have demonstrated that music can benefit individuals with autism in terms of speech and language development. This is because music engages the brain differently than reading or writing does, leading to improved empathy for others as they rehearse interactions (Wan et al., 2012).
Rhythmic activities can also promote social connections among members of a group (Pellitteri, 2000; Overy and Molnar-Szakacs, 2009). These connections foster empathy and promote healthy interpersonal behaviors.
Additionally, musical activities can encourage synchro between children and adults – an essential skill for successful social interaction (Himberg, 2006; Kirschner and Tomasello, 2009). This skill is known as joint rhythmic activity and involves coordinated body movement in an organized pattern or song. Furthermore, this kind of exercise helps build a sense of embodied awareness and self-control (Tomasello & Carpenter, 2007).
At Yale New Haven Children’s Medical Center, the Music Therapy Department provides music therapy services to patients and their families throughout the hospital. We offer both receptive and active music therapy sessions for individuals of all ages and abilities.
