Music Therapy

Music therapy is the use of interventions to accomplish individual goals within a therapeutic relationship by a professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.[1] Music therapy is an allied health profession and one of the expressive therapies, consisting of a process in which a music therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients improve their physical and mental health. Music therapists primarily help clients improve their health in several domains, such as cognitive functioning, motor skills, emotional development, social skills, and quality of life, by using music experiences such as free improvisation, singing, and listening to, discussing, and
It hears the mother’s heartbeat speed up and slow down, as well as music, conversations, and environmental noises. Alexandra Lamont of Keele University in the UK established that the fetus hears music. She discovered that at the age of one children recognize and express a preference for music they were exposed to in the womb. The auditory system of the fetus is fully functional at about twenty weeks after conception.[37] Music therapy for premature infants is typically targeted at integrating, and increasing the infant's tolerance for, physical and auditory stimulation and at increasing strength and speed of sucking, in order to promote growth. In recent studies, it has been found that music can be beneficial to babies that are born prematurely. Music that is played or sung to an infant helps to slow the heartbeat and calm breathing. By reducing the stress, music can help aid their sleep and also improve their feeding behaviors.[38] Babies that receive music therapy leave the hospital sooner because it allows infants to utilize their energy more towards normal development. The music that is used in some cases can mimic sounds of the mother’s womb and calm the babies. Other types of music that involves singing can be the most effective with the amount of time a baby can stay quietly alert. “Some doctors say the music works best at
Group music therapy can include group discussions concerning moods and emotions in or toward music, songwriting, and musical improvisation. Groups emphasizing mood recognition and awareness, group cohesion, and improvement in self-esteem can be effective in working with adolescents.[48][49] Group therapy, however, is not always the best choice for the client. Ongoing one-on-one music therapy has also been shown to be effective. One-on-one music therapy provides a non-invasive, non-judgmental environment, encouraging clients to show capacities that may be hidden in group