Music Therapy

Music therapy is an experienced based form of therapy. This means that it mainly focuses on creating (new) experiences. The emphasis lies on the instant experience and feeling in music during the present moment. Music therapy is a methodological therapy form that can assist with the treatment of different psychological and cognitive problems. It has the unique quality that it call forth memories, emotions and past experiences. Music can even cause physical responses. For example; getting goosebumps when you hear music that moves you. Music is also a way to express feelings without the use of words. This can be great if one wants to communicate about what is going on inside their head but doesn’t want to verbally communicate about it or can’t find the right words to express it. This is also the case if it is too painful for someone to verbally express an event or feeling. Hence, music is a form of communication. All of the aspects stated above are used throughout music therapy. The music therapist knows how music is used to communicate and can understand the client more in depth than if the client would only be speaking. The music therapist is able to ‘read’ the client’s musical expression and can anticipate and respond to the information gathered through the musical process. The music therapist can understand the client through the unique quality of music he or she brings to life. By offering a direct experience, treatment goals can be worked on en problems can (non-verbally) be worked through. After musical therapy sessions it is often good to reflect on what was experienced throughout the session with the music therapist, however, the emphasis is still mainly on the personal experience felt when engaged in the music.