Music: a psychotherapeutic tool

Abstract

Music is commonly known as a veritable tool for entertainment, but there is more to music. This work examines the psychotherapeutic dimension of music. It examines the literature on the healing power of music, as well as the maladaptive effect of music. Elements of therapeutic music were highlighted, such as improvement of an individual’s mood; facilitating cognitive process; emotional healing; and spiritual health. The healing power of music is mediated through stress-reduction mechanism. As a person undergoing stress listens to relaxing music, through the unconscious mechanism of the autonomic nervous system, the person is restored to equilibrium. Producing wholesome music and getting young people to learn to appreciate such for their psycho-spiritual well-being is the challenge highlighted by the authors. Since the world is rapidly changing and problems abound, it is important to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services that can help manage some life challenges. Encounter groups could be organized for youths on the utility of various music genres in order to make wise choices. Therapists should be aware of the content and messages that are carried along by some genres of music, as to know what type of music is suitable for a particular problem or client.