How does it work?
About 26.2% of Americans aged 18 and older—approximately 57.7 million people—experience a mental disorder each year. Integrating music therapy into a treatment plan alongside medications and psychotherapy offers a unique opportunity for individuals struggling with mental health issues to enhance their lives affordably and effectively. So, how does this transformation occur? It largely depends on the role of the music therapist and their collaboration with clinicians.
In a pragmatic, single-blind, multi-center randomized controlled trial, the music therapist’s actions are often framed by the agreements made between clinicians and researchers involved in the study. As a result, the effectiveness of music therapy can vary significantly depending on the study’s design. However, in a supportive setting, an individual with major depressive disorder can experience profound changes over time through music therapy sessions.
Music therapy is fundamentally a social art. Within a small group, participants engage in activities such as questionnaires, songwriting, improvisation, and song-listening—sometimes even singing together. Unfortunately, low participation rates in studies can undermine scientific rigor. Yet for those who choose to participate, music therapy offers empowerment, hope, choice, and a path to break free from the constraints of their mental illness.
A framework called CHIME—standing for Connectedness, Hope and Optimism, Identity, Meaning, and Empowerment—can guide music therapists toward success with their clients. Techniques like group drumming foster feelings of safety and inclusion, promoting positive learning experiences, including embracing failure as a part of growth.
Music therapists understand that recovery is not a destination to be reached but an ongoing process that requires facilitation and support. Despite the challenges, they strive to make a meaningful impact, helping individuals rediscover themselves and regain self-sufficiency. Intriguingly, while music therapy is designed to assist those with mental health challenges, some studies suggest that individuals who engage deeply with music may also be more likely to experience mental health issues themselves—an intriguing paradox that merits further exploration.
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