According to the United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.8 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use disorder in 2022 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2023). Many music therapists (including some at Central Ohio Music Therapy) work in drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities or work with people in other settings that have struggled with substance use disorders. How might these music therapists be helping those with substance use disorders? Music can be used for increasing mood, decreasing pain perception, increasing self-confidence, and for a number of other goals, but it also may aid in alleviating psychological symptoms associated with substance use disorders and in…
Music therapy (MT) is often seen as a helpful treatment for young people with mental health issues, but its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings is still uncertain. A recent study examined how effective MT is for children and adolescents in clinical practice, aiming to provide clearer insights into its potential benefits and limitations. I found this study interesting since I work with teens in multiple clinical settings. The study involved 251 children aged 8-16 years from six Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) centers in Northern Ireland. These children had various social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one group received 12 weekly sessions…
I recently started working with a number of children on the Autism Spectrum (ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder). I also have a son who is 39, diagnosed years ago with the same diagnosis. I hear more and more individuals say, “I have a _________ (relative – nephew, cousin, niece, etc.) with ASD.” What does this mean? How is that more and more individuals are being diagnosed with this disorder? I also hear parents say, my child is “neuro-divergent.” In the medical community, what are they finding? Back in the late 80’s, my husband and I went through a series of tests with our son to find out that he was…
Being a teenager is tough, especially when school stress piles up. This stress can really affect how teenagers feel about themselves and low self-esteem can make things even harder for them. Feeling bad about themselves can lead to other problems like feeling anxious or sad, however, researchers wanted to see how music therapy could make a difference. Music therapy focuses on the elements and power of music to help reduce stress and boost self-esteem. Researchers examined how music listening could help teenagers feel better about themselves, especially when they’re stressed out about school. They wanted to see if music therapy could improve their self-esteem. They selected 60 teenagers who were…
A stroke can result in a number of effects such as impaired speech, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and impaired cognition. Stroke patients typically work with speech, physical, and occupational therapists, but what about music therapists? A recent article by Tara Rajendran and Martha Summa-Chadwick examined the use of music therapy in neurological rehabilitation, particularly focused on stroke rehabilitation. This article examined the use of music therapy in neurological rehabilitation to discuss the scope and potential of music therapy in stroke recovery. Music is processed in many different areas of the brain rather than predominantly on one side or in a specific area of the brain.…
Singing together can promote positive biopsychosocial outcomes in adults who are dealing with a variety of neurological symptoms and issues. When researching these types of benefits and their outcomes, it is important to collect data that reflects qualitative and quantitative information. Viewing a person’s overall wellbeing and quality of life from a biopsychosocial perspective reinforces that a person’s wellbeing isn’t tied to one factor, like health for example. Music is an excellent medium to facilitate focusing on the whole person; not just the social, biological or psychological domains separately, but all together. This study, published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, aims to explore the experiences of participants…
Bjorgvin prison, nestled within Norway’s open woodlands, challenges conventional perceptions of incarceration. Established in 2006 to address long waiting times for sentencing, the prison houses 90 male inmates, each with surprising freedoms, including keys to their own rooms. In this unique environment, music therapy emerges as a powerful force in shaping emotional landscapes. The prison’s music room becomes a “musical emotion zone,” offering a sanctuary for self-expression. Inmates describe their music room as a non-judgmental space where they feel like musicians. This study sheds light on the nuanced role of music therapy in prison settings, emphasizing its potential to create emotional spaces, challenge stereotypes, and foster connections. While acknowledging the…
Music Therapy in US Corrections: Philosophy, Practice, and Protocols of Music Therapists Working with Incarcerated People in the US Kayla Stubblefield, MT-BC When you think of settings in which music therapists work, the first facility that comes to mind may be a school, a hospital, or a nursing home. Oftentimes, people are surprised when hearing that music therapy can benefit those in correctional facilities. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, having 1 out of 5 people incarcerated in the United States. Approximately 7 million people who are serving parole or probation are under oversight of the U.S. correctional system, with roughly 2.3 million people…
When I tell people that I am a music therapist, I am usually asked if I work with children in schools or older adults in nursing homes. Rarely do people assume that I provide music therapy services for adolescents. An article published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy aimed to research and report how music therapists from around the world are clinically trained to work with adolescents as well as how they are currently working with this population. The researching music therapists at the helm of this report sought out to answer these questions and review the current literature available for music therapy and adolescents. The music therapy…
The benefits of music therapy for people living with dementia have been studied time and time again. Music therapy can facilitate mood elevation and relaxation, maintain motor skills, promote increased socialization and engagement, and provide opportunities for reminiscence. Reminiscence is defined as recalling memories from your past, either actively or passively. Music therapists who work with this population have always used a participant’s preferred music to evoke memories and emotions that may arise from hearing a beloved song. Music therapists can use a variety of interventions with individuals with dementia to work on the goal of reminiscence, including song discussion, therapeutic singing, and therapeutic songwriting. Music therapy groups in an…