Music Therapy Essay

Yehudi Menuhin said “Music is a therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient.” Music Therapy is a program where a therapist uses music interventions to help anyone from young to old accomplish their mental health goals. The therapist is a trained professional with a masters degree in music therapy which usually takes about 5 years. “Music has proven useful in helping patients with serious medical illnesses such as cancer, burns, and multiple sclerosis who are also depressed. If it can help in these situations, it may be able to help you and your loved ones experience more positive moods” (“Music and Mood”). Public schools should offer the use of a music therapist for students with depression

Music is a very soothing art form. It has a very strong connection to our emotions. A lot of lyrics can really hit home and make us think of a memory or a feeling. Listening to music has a tremendous influence on our mood. When someone is listening to a slow song or classical music, they seem to relax a little more. “A variety of studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of music and/or music therapy techniques in inducing a relaxation response, both physiologically and psychologically” (“Search Music” 70). So, therefor, music therapy can help others in a great way. In phone interview with Bryanna Rust given on November 25th, 2015, Music therapy major at UND, she said “depending on the technique utilized by the therapist, the music used can help clear one 's mind of all the everyday hassles that are persisting in one’s lives. It is a healthy escape from reality.” Music has the power to slow down our heartbeat and cause us to relax. “In one study, college students performed an oral presentation with either Pachelbel 's Canon or no music in the background. Scientists found those lovely violins helped reduce anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure in participants who presented with the tunes” (“The

It could be social anxiety, severe anxiety or anything else. It almost feels like you are constantly panicking. When I have anxiety attacks, I feel as though I can’t breath and I start to shake. I listen to music to calm myself down. “Any kind of relaxing, calming music can contribute to calmer moods. Calming music can be combined with cognitive therapy to lower anxiety even more effectively than conventional therapy alone” (“Music and Mood”). Music therapy helps people relax.

“Music has proven useful in helping patients with serious medical illnesses such as cancer, burns, and multiple sclerosis who are also depressed. If it can help in these situations, it may be able to help you and your loved ones experience more positive moods. Calming background music can significantly decrease irritability and promote calm in elderly nursing home patients with dementia” (N.P.).

Music can be a comforting thing. A lot of people start out music from when they are just babies and they listen to their mother or father singing lullabies. Getting that connection with music can help a lot of people. “Many people find familiar music comforting and calming. In fact, music is so effective in reducing anxiety, Music helps decrease anxiety in the elderly, new mothers, and children too”