We instinctively know that music can change people, from filling an athlete with energy before a big competition to calming a child down before bed. But what about in clinical settings? What about the kinds of drastic, long-lasting change we seek when we are looking to recover from mental illness, substance use disorder, or both? What effects can music have then?
The idea of music as therapy in the medical field has been around since at least the 1800s, but exactly what is music therapy? Can it really help?
Music Therapy: What It Is and Isn’t
The answer to the question what is music therapy can be varied depending on whom you ask. Some might think it includes playing the piano in a hospital lobby, or helping patients with Alzheimer’s remember their pasts by playing specific songs for them.
While these are all examples of therapeutic music use, the actual definition of clinical music therapy is much tighter. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional.” Music therapists have a variety of tools at their disposal to help patients navigate trauma and find healing from depression, anxiety, and even substance use disorder.
In the context of mental health treatment, music therapy can have a variety of functions. For those with substance use disorder, active music-making and music listening can promote a connection to oneself and one’s personal goals regarding sobriety. Music has been shown to activate dopamine pathways similar to those activated while using, thereby helping the patient learn new coping mechanisms and create new patterns of living.
Music therapy can help those suffering from mental illness–or getting dual diagnosis treatment for mental illness and substance abuse –in a variety of ways. It can help patients manage symptoms of depression or anxiety, and also augment feelings of hope, meaning, and purpose. Music making or listening also fosters relationships with peers and therapists, creating the sense of community so necessary for mental health.
The Neuroscience Behind Music Therapy: Why It Works
Music’s therapeutic power isn’t just anecdotal—it’s backed by neuroscience. When we listen to music, our brains respond in profound ways. Studies show that music can activate areas of the brain involved in emotion regulation, memory, motor control, and even reward pathways. This is particularly relevant for individuals recovering from trauma or substance use disorder, where many of these systems have been dysregulated.
In trauma recovery, the amygdala (which governs fear response) and the hippocampus (responsible for memory and learning) are often overactive or under-functioning. Music can help regulate these systems, calming hyperarousal or gently reintroducing emotional memories in a safe, non-verbal context.
In substance use recovery, music can help recalibrate the brain’s reward circuitry. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter deeply involved in addiction, is also released during pleasurable music experiences. This makes music therapy a healthy and sustainable way to tap into feelings of joy, satisfaction, and motivation—without the destructive consequences of substance use.
By understanding the neuroscience behind music therapy, clients and clinicians alike gain insight into why this modality is so effective in trauma-informed care. It validates the lived experience of music’s emotional impact and supports its integration into serious clinical treatment plans.
How Is Music Therapy Practiced?
As part of integrative approach therapy, music therapy works to integrate the mind, body, and spirit in the healing process.
The clinical process for music therapy begins with an assessment. Depending on the music therapy program and where it is practiced, therapists may review a patient’s biopsychosocial information from their chart; informal check-ins to gauge a patient’s feelings and progress in the moment; and gaining a complete musical history from the patient, including identifying songs or musical genres that may be triggers for trauma or substance cravings.
After the therapist has assessed the patient, they can work with them to make a treatment plan that meets the patient’s personal goals. They may offer patients a variety of musical experiences, including:
- Listening to music
- Analyzing lyrics
- Songwriting
- Music-assisted creative arts
- Music-making
Facilities that offer a holistic approach to mental illness and substance use disorder may combine music therapy with other therapeutic modalities. For example, they may incorporate music into:
- Withdrawal symptom management
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Connecting with a higher power
- Identifying and managing compulsive behaviors
- Neurofeedback therapy
The use of music in addiction recovery and in treating different types of mental illness facilitates overall well-being by integrating the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a patient into the healing process.
Experience Music Therapy in Nashville, TN
If you or a loved one is struggling with your mental health or with substance use disorder and are looking for long-term healing, consider the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN.
Music therapy, as defined by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), is thoughtfully integrated into our trauma-informed care plans. We emphasize that music as therapy is far more than simply listening to tunes; it’s a clinically proven and evidence-based therapeutic modality that uses music interventions to address the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social needs of individuals on their recovery journey.
Understanding what is music therapy in this context reveals its power to provide non-verbal outlets for emotions tied to trauma, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote positive changes in mood. Our approach recognizes that individuals healing from trauma and addiction may find it difficult to express their experiences verbally. Music therapy offers a safe and creative space for emotional expression, regulation, and processing, fostering a deeper connection to self and facilitating healing beyond words.
We offer a variety of programs to meet your individual situation and goals, from retreats to intensive outpatient to residential treatment programs. Our trained, professional, compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you meet your recovery goals, no matter the program you choose.
You do not have to stay stuck in addiction or depression any longer. Reach out to the Integrative Life Center today. We are only one phone call away at (615) 891-2226.
The post Integrating Music Therapy into a Trauma-Informed Care Plan appeared first on Integrative Life Center.
source https://integrativelifecenter.com/therapy-services/integrating-music-therapy-into-a-trauma-informed-care-plan/
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